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Updated: May 5, 2026

Ovariectomy and 17β-estradiol Replacement in Rats and Mice: A Visual Demonstration
Published on: June 7, 2012
Histophysiology of the immune system of Wistar rats at delayed terms after ovariectomy
1Laboratory of Immunomorphology of Inflammation, Institute Human Morphology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Moscow, Russia. morfolhum@mail.ru.
Abstract:
We studied histophysiological changes in organs of the immune system, liver, and lungs of Wistar rats at delayed terms after ovariectomy. On day 52 after surgical castration leading to a decrease in estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone levels, activation of the immune system was revealed characterized by stage I accidental thymus involution, while pulp depletion in the spleen, and enhanced IL-2 and IFN-γ production. We also observed small-droplet degeneration of hepatocytes and reactive changes in the lungs manifested in increased number of neutrophils in the interalveolar septa.

