Evaluation of the estrous cycle and ovarian function following sustained delivery of corticosteroid via tcpl delivery - biomed 2011.

Stress has been shown to impair reproduction in many species and the hypothalamic pituitary axis (HPA) has been shown to be the target. Most of the literature evaluated the effects of acute stress and focused solely on the HPA. The literature is lacking in the area of chronic administration of corticosteroid use and effects on the estrous cycle and long term effects on the ovary. The objectives of this study were to use tricalcium phosphate drug delivery systems to deliver corticosterone in a sustained supraphysiological level and follow the estrous cycle over a 28 day period; then, harvest the ovaries to evaluate the morphology. The results indicate prolonged administration of corticosterone in female rats cause alteration in the cyclic activity as evidenced by changes in the estrous as well as morphology of the ovaries. The mechanism appears to be disruption or interference of the HPA axis. Overall, ceramic drug delivery devices can be used effectively to deliver corticosteroid to induce pathophysiological changes associated with stress.