The Effect of Hyperstimulation and Progesterone Injections on the Morphology of Mouse Vaginal Epithelium

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphological changes of vaginal epithelium after hyperstimulation and daily injection of progesterone followed ovarian hyperstimulation. Materials and Methods: Forty 8-10 week old virgin female mice were selected and divided in four groups. Two experimental groups were hyperstimulated using ip injection of 10 Iu of human menopasula gonadotropin hormone (hMG) followed with another injection of 10 Iu human chorionic gonadotropic hormones (hCG) 48 hrs later. After superovulation of mice, progesterone injections were performed daily subcutaneously (1 mg/mouse) in another experimental and or hyperstimulated groups. On the days three and four after hCG injection, the samples were aparted from the vaginal septum and processed for morpgological studies. All experimental and control groups were rendered pseudopregnant artificially. Results: Our results showed that the height of epithelium was increased on the fourth day of hCG injection in hyperstimulated groups in comparison with control group. Superficial layer had a lot of cornified cells. The height of vaginal epithelium in the progesterone injected and hyperstimulated-progesterone injected groups in comparison with the hyperstimulated was decreased. Conclusion: Thus, the progesterone injection after hyperstimulation can cause changes in morphology of mouse vaginal epithelium which can influence the function and secretion of the epithelium.