Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China; Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China; Yinchuan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Yinchuan, 750004, China.
Key Laboratory of Fertility Preservation and Maintenance of Ministry of Education, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, 750004, China.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2024 Nov 12;733:150634. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.150634. Epub 2024 Sep 17.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age, characterized by irregular menstrual periods, elevated levels of androgens, and polycystic ovaries, leading to various symptoms and complications such as infertility, metabolic issues, and increased risk of diabetes and heart disease. This study aimed to compare traditional histological methods and ultrasound imaging for consistency in identifying PCOS in a mouse model. The shortest time to construct the PCOS model using letrozole was determined.
Female C57/BL mice were randomly divided into three groups: Group A received normal saline and a regular diet; Group B received 1 mg/kg/day of letrozole with a regular diet; and Group C received 1 mg/kg/day of letrozole with a high-fat diet. All mice were administered letrozole by intragastric gavage daily for five weeks. The traditional identification method included measuring body weight, examining vaginal smears, monitoring the estrous cycle, measuring serum androgen levels, and performing H&E staining of ovarian tissues. The PCOS model was evaluated using ultrasound imaging to identify and monitor follicles. The significance of the difference between the traditional identification method and the ultrasonic method was calculated using the nonparametric McNemar test, and consistency between the two methods was assessed with the kappa-coefficient test. On this basis, the ultrasound imaging technology was used to monitor the model-making process for 2, 3 and 4 weeks, and to monitor the parameters of the ovary and follicles to judge the shortest time that gavage letrozole caused the appearance of vesicular follicles in the mouse ovary.
The traditional identification method showed no PCOS phenotype in group A mice, while groups B and C showed multiple ovarian cystic follicles, indicating successful model induction. The ultrasound imaging results were consistent with the traditional method, showing no PCOS in group A and multiple cystic follicles in groups B and C. The McNemar test revealed no significant difference between the traditional and ultrasonic identification methods. The kappa-coefficient test assessed consistency, yielding a value of 0.903, indicating strong agreement between the methods. The ovarian area, diameter, and the number and diameter of cystic follicles were not significantly changed at two weeks in the letrozole group compared with the control group. At three weeks, there were significant increases in the number and in the diameter of vesicular follicles compared with control cells. At four weeks, the number and diameter, the maximum cross-sectional area and diameter of the ovary were significantly increased compared with the control group.
The ultrasound and traditional methods provide consistent results for identifying PCOS in a mouse model. Construction of the PCOS model by letrozole gavage takes at least three weeks.
多囊卵巢综合征（PCOS）是一种常见于育龄妇女的激素紊乱疾病，其特征为月经不规律、雄激素水平升高和多囊卵巢，导致多种症状和并发症，如不孕、代谢问题以及糖尿病和心脏病风险增加。本研究旨在比较传统的组织学方法和超声成像在识别小鼠模型中的多囊卵巢综合征的一致性。确定使用来曲唑构建 PCOS 模型的最短时间。
将雌性 C57/BL 小鼠随机分为三组：A 组给予生理盐水和常规饮食；B 组给予 1mg/kg/天的来曲唑和常规饮食；C 组给予 1mg/kg/天的来曲唑和高脂肪饮食。所有小鼠均通过灌胃每日给予来曲唑 5 周。传统的鉴定方法包括测量体重、检查阴道涂片、监测发情周期、测量血清雄激素水平以及对卵巢组织进行 H&E 染色。使用超声成像来识别和监测卵泡，评估 PCOS 模型。使用非参数 McNemar 检验计算传统鉴定方法和超声方法之间差异的显著性，并使用 Kappa 系数检验评估两种方法之间的一致性。在此基础上，使用超声成像技术监测造模过程 2、3 和 4 周，监测卵巢和卵泡参数，判断来曲唑灌胃导致小鼠卵巢出现囊状卵泡的最短时间。
传统鉴定方法显示 A 组小鼠无 PCOS 表型，而 B 组和 C 组显示多个卵巢囊性卵泡，表明成功诱导模型。超声成像结果与传统方法一致，A 组无 PCOS，B 组和 C 组显示多个囊性卵泡。McNemar 检验显示传统和超声鉴定方法之间无显著差异。Kappa 系数检验评估一致性，得出值为 0.903，表明两种方法具有很强的一致性。与对照组相比，来曲唑组在 2 周时卵巢面积、直径以及囊状卵泡的数量和直径没有显著变化。在 3 周时，与对照组相比，囊状卵泡的数量和直径显著增加。在 4 周时，与对照组相比，卵巢的数量和直径、最大横截面积和直径显著增加。
超声和传统方法为识别小鼠模型中的多囊卵巢综合征提供了一致的结果。使用来曲唑灌胃构建 PCOS 模型至少需要 3 周。
