Letrozole as Induction of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Model in Rats

Abstract

Context: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder in women, characterized by hormonal imbalances, ovarian dysfunction, and metabolic disturbances. The letrozole (LET)-induced rat model has been extensively utilized in preclinical research to mimic PCOS-like phenotypes, providing insights into the underlying mechanisms and potential therapeutic interventions. Evidence Acquisition: A systematic review was conducted by searching PubMed, ScienceDirect, EMBASE, and Google Scholar for studies published between 2020 and 2023. Keywords based on Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) included "polycystic ovary syndrome", "animal model", and "letrozole". Articles were selected following PRISMA guidelines, with quality assessment based on the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) criteria. Risk of bias was evaluated using the RoB 2 tool in conjunction with RevMan 5.41 software. Results: Thirty-seven studies demonstrated that LET effectively induces PCOS-like traits in rats, including ovarian cysts, irregular estrous cycles, hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, and inflammation. LET’s mechanism involves aromatase inhibition, leading to reduced estrogen levels and hormonal feedback disruption. This results in elevated luteinizing hormone (LH) and androgen levels, mirroring the hormonal and structural complexity of human PCOS. Despite variations in dosing protocols, LET consistently produces phenotypes relevant to PCOS, enabling comprehensive exploration of its pathophysiology and evaluation of therapeutic strategies. Conclusions: The LET-induced rat model of PCOS serves as a reliable platform for understanding the disorder's mechanisms and testing interventions. Although it does not perfectly replicate human PCOS, this model provides essential insights into hormonal, metabolic, and structural changes associated with the condition. Refinements or complementary approaches to enhance translational relevance may further improve its utility in advancing treatments for PCOS and mitigating its impact on women's health and fertility.