Abstract
Objective: To determine the histopathological changes of estrogen deficiency and estrogen replacement treatment in parotid gland of ovariectomized rats.
Method: Female albino rats were divided into 3 groups: sham, ovariectomized, and ovariectomized with estrogen replacement. Histopathological evaluation of rat parotid glands were done by using the diameter of acinus and striated duct (SD), height of SD, and interacinar connective tissue thickness. Apoptosis in parotid gland were examined by TUNEL staining.
Results: Except interacinar connective tissue thickness, there were no significant differences between the sham-operated control and ovariectomized group in terms of the diameter of acinus and striated duct (SD) and height of SD. Estrogen replacement resulted in significant increase in the height of SD and interacinar connective tissue thickness. Apoptotic index was higher in both ovariectomized and estrogen replacement group compared to sham-operated control.
Conclusion: Although estrogen replacement did not reduce apoptotic index in parotid gland of overiectomized rat, it may have some positive influence on saliva secretion by increasing interaciner connective tissue thickness.
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