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Comparison of efficacy of bromocriptine and cabergoline to GnRH agonist in a rat endometriosis model

  • General Gynecology
  • Published:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

To determine the effect of dopamine agonists in a surgically induced endometriosis model on rats.

Study design

In this prospective randomized experimental study, surgical induction of endometriosis was performed by autotransplantation technique on 52 adult female Wistar-Albino rats. Endometriosis formation was confirmed by a second-look laparotomy (n:48) 1 month later. Four study groups were randomly generated according to their treatment regimens: group 1 (leuprolide acetate, n = 12), group 2 (bromocriptine, n = 12), group 3 (cabergoline, n = 12) and group 4 (control, n = 12). Endometriotic implants were excised for histopathological examination after treatment at the setting of laparotomy. The mean surface areas and histopathological glandular tissue (GT) and stromal tissue (ST) scores of endometriotic implants were studied and compared among groups.

Results

After 30 days of treatment, the mean surface area of the endometriotic implants of leuprolide acetate, bromocriptine and cabergoline groups was significantly decreased. The regression of endometriotic foci size in comparison to control was highest in group 1, followed by group 2, then group 3. In the histopathological evaluation both the ST and GT scores of group 1, 2 and 3 were significantly decreased in comparison to controls without a statistically significant difference between the groups.

Conclusion

Dopamine agonists are as effective as GnRH agonists in the regression of experimental endometriotic implants in rats. Further trials are needed to elucidate the pathways affected by dopamine agonists.

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Acknowledgments

Study was supported by GMMA Research Center with the project number AR-2012/14. No funding was received for the trial. The authors acknowledge the assistance and support of Veterinary Dr Sahin SAGALTICI and Dr Osman Tansu TOMBUS during the study.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, 06018, Etlik, Ankara, Turkey

    Cihangir Mutlu Ercan, Ugur Keskin & Ali Ergun

  2. Division of Research Animals, Department of Research, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, 06018, Etlik, Ankara, Turkey

    Mehmet Cengiz & Tayfun Ide

  3. Afsin Government Hospital, Turkish Ministry of Health, Kahramanmaras, Turkey

    Oya Kayaalp

  4. Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Harran University, 63100, Sanliurfa, Turkey

    Nihat Yumusak

  5. Department of Family Medicine, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, 06018, Etlik, Ankara, Turkey

    Umit Aydogan

Authors
  1. Cihangir Mutlu Ercan
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  2. Oya Kayaalp
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  4. Ugur Keskin
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Correspondence to Ugur Keskin.

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Ercan, C.M., Kayaalp, O., Cengiz, M. et al. Comparison of efficacy of bromocriptine and cabergoline to GnRH agonist in a rat endometriosis model. Arch Gynecol Obstet 291, 1103–1111 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-014-3524-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-014-3524-x

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