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Updated: Oct 15, 2026
A Hyperandrogenic Mouse Model to Study Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Published on: October 2, 2018
An Improved Dehydroepiandrosterone-Induced Rat Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Post-pubertal Improve
Eun-Jeong Kim1,2, Minhee Jang2, Jong Hee Choi1,2
1Department of Science in Korean Medicine and Brain Korea 21 Plus Program, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea.
Abstract:
Complete animal models investigating the pathogenesis and treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are not completely established. Although dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)-induced pre-pubertal rat model for PCOS has been widely used, the model exhibits weaknesses such as decreased ovary weight. Here, we report an innovative DHEA-induced PCOS model that addresses limitations of the pre-pubertal model. The 21-day-old (pre-pubertal) and 42-day-old (post-pubertal) female rats were subcutaneously injected with DHEA (60 mg/kg body weight) daily for up to 20-30 days. The post-pubertal model showed a steady increase in ovary weight and the number of ovarian cysts as well as uterine weight and thickness, which may be key features of PCOS, compared with the pre-pubertal model. Therefore, a post-pubertal PCOS model induced by DHEA may be an improved model to investigate the etiology of PCOS and development of therapeutic interventions.
