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Horm Metab Res 2006; 38(12): 783-788
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-956506
Original Basic

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Ghrelin Ovarian Cell Expression in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: An Immunohistochemical Evaluation

H. Komarowska 1 , R. Waśko 1 , K. Iwanik 2 , P. Majewski 2 , L. Rafińska 3 , A. Warenik-Szymankiewicz 4 , J. Sowiński 1
  • 1Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Internal Medicine, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
  • 2Department of Pathomorphology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences
  • 3Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
  • 4Department of Gynecological Endocrinology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
Further Information

Publication History

Received 27 September 2005

Accepted after second revision 7 March 2006

Publication Date:
12 December 2006 (online)

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Abstract

Introduction: The influence of ghrelin on different organs has been studied recently, e.g. in the regulation of pituitary hormone release, regulation of energy homeostasis, glucose metabolism and insulin secretion, cell proliferation, and reproductive function. However, the etiology of polycystic ovary syndrome has not been fully explained. The aim of our study was to estimate the presence of ghrelin in polycystic ovaries cells and evaluation of the relationship between ghrelin occurrence and cells proliferation. Methods: In the present work we have compared ten polycystic ovaries with ovaries without pathology as the control group. We used immunohistochemical method to detect ghrelin. The cells proliferation was evaluated by Ki 67 proliferation index. Results: Ghrelin immunostaining was demonstrated in cytoplasm of ovarian secondary interstitial cells and in atretic corpus luteum. The cell nuclei were ghrelin positive in granulosa, theca layers of follicular cyst in both groups as well as in luteal cells of young corpus luteum in healthy ovaries. Ki 67 immunostaining was observed in granulosa and theca layers of follicular cyst in polycystic and healthy ovaries. Conclusions: It is possible that local ghrelin expression plays an important role in the direct control of ovarian development and function and ghrelin may participate in patomechanism of PCOS.

Key words

Ovaries - androgens - steroidogenesis - proliferation - Ki67

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Correspondence

Hanna Komarowska M.D.,Ph.D 

Department of Endocrinology

Metabolism and Internal Medicine

Poznań University of Medical Sciences

ul. Przybyszewskiego 49

60-355 Poznań

Poland

Phone: +48/61/869/13 30

Fax: +48/61/869/16 82

Email: Komar@amp.edu.pl