Does hysterectomy affect ovarian function? Histopathologic evaluation and serum FSH, inhibin A, and inhibin B levels in an experimental rat model.

Abstract Objective To evaluate the effects of hysterectomy with ovarian conservation on ovarian histology, and FSH, inhibin A, and inhibin B plasma levels. Study design Forty-five female Wistar albino rats were used in this study and randomly divided into two groups: hysterectomy ( n =30) and sham-operated ( n =15). Blood samples were collected before and after (50 and 100 days) abdominal hysterectomy from both groups to measure plasma levels of FSH, inhibin A, and inhibin B. All animals were sacrificed by decapitation to obtain ovaries for histological examination. For statistical analyses, Mann–Whitney U , Chi-square, Wilcoxon matched pairs signed rank sum tests, and two-sided variance analysis were used and statistical significance was defined as p Results There was no difference in hormonal variables between groups when the time interval was considered completely [ p >0.05 (for FSH p =0.962; for inhibin A p =0.321; for inhibin B p =0.476)]. In the hysterectomy group, the inhibin B level at postoperative day 50 was significantly lower than the control group ( p =0.007) and at postoperative day 100, inhibin A concentrations were increased significantly when compared with the levels at both baseline and postoperative day 50 ( p p =0.01), preantral ( p p p p =0.02), and cystic follicles ( p =0.003). Conclusion The results of this experimental rat model suggest that hysterectomy may affect ovarian function.