IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL LOCALIZATION OF RENIN AND ANGIOTENSIN IN THE OVARY - COMPARISON BETWEEN NORMAL WOMEN AND PATIENTS WITH HISTOLOGICALLY PROVEN POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN DISEASE

Objective: This study was designed to test the hypothesis that the ova rian renin-angiotensin system may play a role in polycystic ovarian di sease (PCOD). Design: The immunohistochemical distribution of renin an d angiotensin in ovaries from seven women with histologic diagnosis of PCOD was compared with that of normal ovaries. Results: The large cys tic follicles of polycystic ovaries (PCO) presented intense immunostai ning for renin and angiotensin in both theca and granulosa cells (GCs) . In developing follicles of normal ovaries, the immunostaining was re stricted to the theca cell layer, with the exception of the immediatel y preovulatory follicles which displayed intense positivity of granulo sa as well as theca cells. Atretic follicles of normal ovaries showed staining of both theca and GCs. In both normal and PCO, patches of hil us cells were intensely stained. Luteal cells also consistently staine d both in normal ovaries and in the occasional corpus luteum present i n polycystic ovaries. Conclusions: This study highlights the link betw een the ovarian renin-angiotensin system and those ovarian compartment s known to be actively engaged in androgen secretion and/or luteinizat ion and suggests that there may be an association between the ovarian renin-angiotensin system and PCOD.