Background: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) on the ovarian epithelium of female CD1 mice.
Methods: Twenty-four female mice at 7 months with irregular estrus cycles were randomly divided into four groups of 6 mice each. Group one was considered as a control group and received a daily dose of 0.5ml of propylene glycol, for three weeks, while those in the treatment groups received a daily dose of 14μg/kg, 28μg/kg and 56μg/kg conjugated equine estrogens, respectively.
Results: The results from this study showed a strong correlation between elevated concentrations of CEE and histological changes in ovarian surface epithelium (OSE). They also showed that administration of high-dose estrogen created the conditions for excessive proliferation of OSE which may progress into the development of cysts in the ovaries.
Conclusion: This study concluded that high concentrations of CEE may increase the chances of developing epithelial ovarian cancer.
Keywords: Mice; Ovary; Propylene glycol; histology; hormone.