Pathomorphological Study of the Cytotoxic Effects of Cyclic Polychemotherapy on Reproductive Organs of Female Rats

Abstract

The effects of cyclic polychemotherapy on reproductive organs were studied in female rats intraperitoneally injected (twice at 7-day intervals) with cyclophosphamide (21 mg/kg), adriamycin (2.1 mg/kg), vincristine (0.04 mg/kg), and prednisolone (2.1 mg/kg). Changes in the vaginal swabs on day 1 after polychemotherapy corresponded to estrus in 45% animals, to proestrus in 25%, and were undifferentiated in 30%. After repeated injection of the cytostatics, undifferentiated changes were found in 80% females and persisted for 6 days. Injection of the cytostatic complex led to degenerative changes and necrosis of follicular epithelial cells, edema and focal necroses of vascular endotheliocytes, which progressed after repeated polychemotherapy. By the end of 1.5 months following 2 courses of polychemotherapy, the numerical density of primary, early and late secondary follicles in the ovaries decreased and vascular sclerosis developed indicating progressive atrophy.