Effect of ovariectomy and ovariectomy follovved by administration of estrogen on the pineal gland: A light microscopic study.

This study was aimed to examine the effects of ovariectomy and ovariectomy follovved by estrogen administration on the pineal gland by light microscopy. For this purpose 15 female Wistar rats vvere used. Animals were divided into three groups. Group I and II vvere designated as sham-ovariectomised (Control) and ovariectomised, respectively. They received sesame oil (0.1 mİ subcutaneously) alone. The rats in Group III vvere ovariectomised and daily injected vvith Estradiol Benzoate (0.5 mg/0.1 mİ sesame oil per day s.c) for 1 months. At the end, ali animals vvere killed by vascular perfusion. The pineal glands of rats vvere removed, then processed for light microscopy. Ovariectomy caused hypertrophy in pinealocytes and an increase of lipid droplets in the structure of pineal gland. İt was observed that Estradiol administration follovving ovariectomy inhibited ovariectomy induced hypertrophy and increase of lipid droplets. Additionally, the connective tissue betvveen parenchymal cells was increased in this group. İn conclusion, increased of celi activity was seen in the pinealocytes after ovariectomy and this increase was suppressed follovving the administration of Estradiol benzoate.