Our research focuses primarily on the physiological and the pathological mechanisms related to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Specifically, this research aims to develop a simple and efficient technique in inducing PCOS in mouse in order to better simulate and study the physiological policies of PCOS, P-C-O-S. In 2023, academician team published a study in circulation that proposed a new mechanism involving chronic inflammation in the development of high-risk cardiovascular disease in patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
Our protocol offers time-saving and flexible method to effectfully induce PCOS in mice, avoid repeated drug administration, and reduces the influence of non-experimental factors. Our laboratory will focus on investigating the mechanism behind the developmental origins of disease. We aim to uncover how adverse early-life exposure contribute to the onset of metabolic, cardiovascular, and neurological disorders later in life.
To begin, place mini pumps on a clean, sterile countertop. With the thumb and forefinger, gently pinch the cap that matches the pump body and hold the pump body with the other hand. Use the thin tube attached to the cap to poke the filling port of the pump several times.
Now, take a needle that matches the pump and the one-milliliter syringe. Attach the needle to the syringe tightly. Slowly draw out the final solution of Letrozole into the syringe.
Next, carefully pinch a mini pump with one hand so that it stands upright. With the other hand, insert the one-milliliter syringe into the bottom of the pump. Slowly inject the Letrozole solution into the pump.
When the pump is full, withdraw the syringe. Carefully, insert the cap into the pump body and tighten it. Wipe away any spillage that occurs.
With the outlet of the filled pump facing outwards, immerse the pump into sterile saline in a prepared centrifuge tube. Cap the tube and place it on the tube rack. Place the tubes in a thermostat at 37 degrees Celsius for 48 hours.
To begin, secure an anesthetized mouse in the prone position on an operating plate. Use forceps to pick up the skin at the midline of the back of the neck, favoring the skin on the hairless side. With a scalpel, laterally make a 0.5-centimeter-long incision.
Then, open the epidermis underneath the incision and access it with a hemostat to free the skin, making room for a mini pump. Next, use sterile forceps to take a Letrozole-filled mini pump out of the saline with the open end of the pump facing downward. With a pair of forceps, clamp up one side of the skin incision.
Then, push the pump into the subcutaneous space. Once the pump is inside, use your fingers to gently squeeze the pump as inward as possible. Then, use 4-0 surgical sutures to suture the incision site.
The Letrozole mini pump-treated mice exhibited significantly elevated serum testosterone levels relative to the female control mice. Histological analysis of the mice ovaries showed that the treated mice had a significant reduction in the corpora lutea number. They also showed significant estrous acyclicity and were heavier than the control mice.
The treated mice developed glucose intolerance and had higher changes in serum lipid profiles.
