A new animal model for menopausal transition: combination of ovariectomy and empty bottle stimulation

Abstract

Previous small animal models for menopausal transition are mainly performed to mimic the biochemical changes of patients with menopausal transition. The psychological symptoms in animal models are often overlooked. To mimic clinical situation, we developed a new mouse model of menopausal transition: the combination of bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) and empty bottle stimulation (EBS). After OVX and 21 days of EBS, behavioral test and pentobarbital-induced sleep test were carried out. Then all the animals were euthanized for further investigations. Compared with the control group, the combination of OVX and EBS group (OVX + EBS) showed higher bodyweight, lower organ index of uteri, and lower concentrations of serum estradiol. In addition, behavioral manifestations, sleep quality, and morphologic features in OVX + EBS group showed significant differences compared with the control group. OVX alone or EBS alone failed to include all the changes of OVX + EBS group. These findings indicate ovariectomy or EBS alone could not well mimic the symptoms of menopausal transition. The combination of bilateral ovariectomy and EBS offers an easy and repeatable method for building comprehensive menopausal transition model in mice.

Chinese abstract

既往围绝经期的动物模型主要是模仿围绝经期患者的生化指标的改变。动物模型的精神症状往往被忽视。为了模仿临床表现, 我们创建了一种新的围绝经期小鼠模型：双侧卵巢切除(OVX)联合空瓶刺激(EBS)。在切除双侧卵巢和空瓶刺激21天后, 进行行为测试和苯巴比妥诱导的睡眠试验。接着对所有试验动物实施安死术并进一步研究。与对照组相比, (OVX+EBS)组体重高、子宫/脏器指数低、血清雌二醇浓度低。而且, (OVX+EBS)组的行为表现、睡眠质量、形态指标与对照组有统计学差异。OVX组或 EBS组没有出现(OVX+EBS)组所有的改变。这些发现表明单纯切除双侧卵巢或空瓶刺激不能很好地模拟出围绝经期症状。两者的联合为建立全面的围绝经期小鼠模型提供了简单而可重复的方法。

Keywords:

• Animal model
• empty bottle stimulation
• menopausal transition
• ovariectomy
• mice

Disclosure statement

The authors alone are responsible for the content of this article. The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Department of Education, Heilongjiang Province [No. 1153h18] and Science and Technology [No. LC2008C26] of Heilongjiang Province, and the National Natural Science Foundation of China [No. 81303248].