Increase in nerve fibers and loss of mast cells in polycystic and postmenopausal ovaries

Objective: To quantify nerve fibers and mast cells in human ovaries at diff erent functional stages. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Research laboratory of the university. Specimen(s): 8 human ovaries in the follicular (cyclic) phase, 7 polycystic ovaries, and postmenopausal ovaries with (n=5) or without (n=7) hypertheco sis. Main Outcome Measure(s): Single- and double immunohistology for the S100 an tigen in glial cells of autonomic nerve fibers, for chymase and tryptase in mast cells, and for the common leukocyte antigen on leukocytes. Histometri c evaluation was also performed. Intervention(s): None. Result(s): Polycystic ovaries contained significantly more S100-positive ne rve fibers in the corticomedullary region than did cyclic ovaries (mean +/- SD per 2-mm(2) area, 476 +/- 136 and 224 +/- 133; P<.01). Postmenopausal o varies with or without hyperthecosis had the highest density of nerve fiber s. In cyclic and polycystic ovaries, more tryptase-positive mast cells than chymase-positive mast cells were found in the interstitial cortex and the medulla. In cyclic ovaries, areas with a moderate density of nerve fibers c ontained many mast cells. Hence, with increasing nerve fiber density in pol ycystic ovaries, the number of mast cells decreased strikingly compared wit h cyclic ovaries (p<.001). Almost no mast cells were seen in postmenopausal ovaries with and without hyperthecosis. The number of leukocyte antigen-po sitive leukocytes was similar in all groups. Conclusion(s): The high density of nerve fibers in polycystic and postmenop ausal ovaries, together with a conspicuous decrease in mast cells, indicate s altered neuroimmune communication. (Fertil Steril(R) 2001,75: 1141-7. (C) 2001 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.).