Morphological evidence of telocytes in DHEA-induced polycystic ovary syndrome model

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a condition causing histopathological alterations in the ovarian stroma. Telocytes (TCs) are specialized interstitial/stromal cells present in the connective tissue of various organs. In this study, we investigated the presence and spatial organization of TCs in the ovaries of a rat model of PCOS induced by dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). The ovarian tissues from both PCOS and control groups were stained using hematoxylin-eosin (H&E), Bielschowsky's silver stain, methylene blue, and toluidine blue for light microscopy analysis, and scanned digitally. Ovaries were marked with double-labeled immunofluorescence with CD34/estrogen receptor-α (ER-α) and vimentin/progesterone receptor-A (PR-A) and evaluated with a confocal microscope. The ultrastructure and telopodes (TPs) of TCs were also examined by transmission electron microscopy. TCs were identified in both groups, localized within follicular walls, adjacent to follicles, in stromal regions distant from the follicles, and perivascular areas. CD34/ER-α and vimentin/PR-A cells were significantly increased in PCOS. In conclusion, TCs were preserved in the DHEA-induced PCOS model, and according to our quantitative analysis, their ultrastructural features were unaffected by the PCOS microenvironment. Our findings suggest a potential association between TCs and the pathophysiology of PCOS. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the functional relationship of TCs in the development and progression of PCOS.