[Ovarian denervation and polycystic ovary]

Ovarian inervation is limited to the superior pedicle and ovarian artery to loose itself within the gonadal smooth muscle. Hence, it is far from clear how is it that the ovary preserves its communication with hypothalamic and pituitary structures for feedback regulation. There is a lack of precision concerning structures and mechanisms involved in the genesis of polycystic disease.

To know the role of inervation associated to hormone stimuli in developing polycystic ovaries.

Groups of Sprague Dawley rats were studied: group 1, whom received cornoil (vehicle) served as controls; group 2 had estradiol valerianate (EV) and group 3 was exposed to phenol for denervation and also received estradiol valerianate (EV). After sacrifice, ovaries were exposed and saved in a formol solution until preparation and staining with hematoxilin-eosin and for immunochemical reaction using specific monoclonal antibodies for nerve tissue (PS-100 & GFAP).

Biologic response was considered when follicle dilation was seen under microscopy evaluation. The ovaries with higher follicle development belonged to group 2 (EV) while preserving intrinsic follicular nervous activity as shown by a positive immunoreaction to PS-100 & GFAP. Those denervated and exposed to EV (group 3) did not show significant changes in follicular size resembling controls.

The presence of neural activity is vital for development of cysts and the neural mechanisms involved seemed to lie within the ovarian cells.