Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2025
A Hyperandrogenic Mouse Model to Study Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Published on: October 2, 2018
Does Pten have an impact on oogenesis of PCOS mouse models?
T Onal1, P Tulay2,3, H S Vatansever1,3
1Manisa Celal Bayar University, Faculty Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Manisa, Turkey.
Abstract:
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex disorder in which the aetiology is still not explained very well. The PI3K/PTEN (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10) pathway is an important pathway that is involved in many mechanisms, including proliferation, growth and motility. PTEN plays a role in granulosa cell proliferation and regulates the differentiation process. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression levels of Pten and Pik3ca in PCOS mouse models with and without any treatment procedures. Three groups of mouse models, PCOS, a PCOS group with clomiphene citrate treatment, and a PCOS group with the combination of clomiphene citrate, metformin and pioglitazone treatment, were established. Ovarian tissues, which were obtained from these groups and a control group with no PCOS, were embedded in paraffin and RNA was extracted. cDNA was synthesized and real-time PCR was conducted to evaluate the expression levels of Pten and Pik3ca. The results of this study showed that both Pten and Pik3ca genes were expressed in the ovarian tissues from the mouse models. Although one-way analysis of variance results showed that Pten was expressed significantly differently in the samples, individual Student's t-tests did not show any significantly different expression levels in each group. This study is important as it shows the expression patterns of two genes in PCOS mouse models with different treatment strategies, including clomiphene citrate, metformin and pioglitazone. The results of this study formed the basis of research studies and investigations into different genes within the PTEN pathway, as well as other pathways that are under investigation.
Insights
This study investigated the expression of PTEN and PIK3CA genes in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) mouse models. While PTEN showed differential expression, specific gene levels varied across treatment groups, offering insights into PCOS mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disorder with unclear etiology.
- The PI3K/PTEN pathway is crucial for cellular processes like proliferation and differentiation, potentially implicated in PCOS pathogenesis.
- PTEN specifically influences granulosa cell proliferation and differentiation, key aspects of ovarian function affected in PCOS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression levels of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA) genes in PCOS mouse models.
- To analyze gene expression patterns in response to various therapeutic interventions for PCOS.
Main Methods:
- Establishment of four mouse groups: control, PCOS, PCOS with clomiphene citrate, and PCOS with combined clomiphene citrate, metformin, and pioglitazone treatments.
- RNA extraction from ovarian tissues, followed by cDNA synthesis.
- Real-time PCR was utilized to quantify the expression levels of PTEN and PIK3CA genes.
Main Results:
- Both PTEN and PIK3CA genes were detected in the ovarian tissues of all mouse models.
- One-way ANOVA indicated a significant difference in PTEN expression across the groups.
- However, individual Student's t-tests did not reveal statistically significant differences in gene expression levels within each specific treatment group.
Conclusions:
- The study demonstrates the expression of PTEN and PIK3CA in PCOS mouse models under different treatment conditions.
- Findings provide a basis for further research into the PTEN pathway and other relevant pathways in PCOS.
- Understanding these gene expression patterns can contribute to developing targeted therapeutic strategies for PCOS.
