Microscopic Evaluation of Ovarian Surface Epithelium Following Treatment with Conjugated Estrogens in a Mouse Model.

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) on the ovarian epithelium of female CD1 mice.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.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.This study concluded that high concentrations of CEE may increase the chances of developing epithelial ovarian cancer.