TY - JOUR
T1 - Vaginal changes after ovariectomy in ewes
T2 - A large animal model for genitourinary syndrome of menopause
AU - Vodegel, Eva V.
AU - Guler, Zeliha
AU - Ras, Lamees
AU - Mackova, Katerina
AU - Groeneveld, Anne C. H. M.
AU - Bezuidenhout, Deon
AU - Deprest, Jan
AU - Jeffery, Stephen T.
AU - Roovers, Jan-Paul W. R.
N1 - Funding Information: The authors would like to thank Mr Woudstra, Mr Morris, and the animal caretakers for the use of the research facility and for taking proper care of the animals. The authors would also like to thank Mr Mogotlane (MD), Ms van Wilsem, and Mr Atigan (MD) for their contributions in the tissue processing and statistician Dr van Eekelen for statistical advice and support. Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Authors. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.
PY - 2023/9
Y1 - 2023/9
N2 - Objective: To evaluate the effect of iatrogenic menopause on the physiology of the vagina of the ewe and to evaluate if vaginal changes in ewes can be translated to women with genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). Methods: Preclinical research with Dohne Merino ewes. Iatrogenic menopause was induced by bilateral ovariectomy (OVX). Animals were randomized for surgery, blinded for allocation and outcome assessment. Differences between groups were determined by linear regression analyses at 5 months after OVX. Outcome measures were vaginal epithelial thickness, pH, vaginal maturation value, vaginal maturation index, epithelial glycogen accumulation, content of elastin fibers, collagen, and vascularity. Results: OVX ewes (n = 20) showed epithelial thinning of the vaginal wall from 146 μm to 47 μm (mean, P < 0.001). Furthermore, epithelial glycogen accumulation and vascularity of the vaginal wall significantly decreased (43% and 23%, respectively) as compared with the control group (no intervention; n = 5). No significant differences were found for other outcome measures. Conclusion: This study established the ewe as a suitable large animal model for GSM. Furthermore, the similar relevant outcomes in humans and ewes hold great value for future translational research for the evaluation and optimization of different treatment modalities for GSM.
AB - Objective: To evaluate the effect of iatrogenic menopause on the physiology of the vagina of the ewe and to evaluate if vaginal changes in ewes can be translated to women with genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). Methods: Preclinical research with Dohne Merino ewes. Iatrogenic menopause was induced by bilateral ovariectomy (OVX). Animals were randomized for surgery, blinded for allocation and outcome assessment. Differences between groups were determined by linear regression analyses at 5 months after OVX. Outcome measures were vaginal epithelial thickness, pH, vaginal maturation value, vaginal maturation index, epithelial glycogen accumulation, content of elastin fibers, collagen, and vascularity. Results: OVX ewes (n = 20) showed epithelial thinning of the vaginal wall from 146 μm to 47 μm (mean, P < 0.001). Furthermore, epithelial glycogen accumulation and vascularity of the vaginal wall significantly decreased (43% and 23%, respectively) as compared with the control group (no intervention; n = 5). No significant differences were found for other outcome measures. Conclusion: This study established the ewe as a suitable large animal model for GSM. Furthermore, the similar relevant outcomes in humans and ewes hold great value for future translational research for the evaluation and optimization of different treatment modalities for GSM.
KW - atrophy
KW - ewe
KW - genitourinary syndrome of menopause
KW - model
KW - ovariectomy
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85158123196&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1002/ijgo.14816
DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/ijgo.14816
M3 - Article
C2 - 37151087
SN - 0020-7292
VL - 162
SP - 1042
EP - 1049
JO - International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics
JF - International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics
IS - 3
ER -