ABSTRACT

Purpose:

To investigate the effect of hysterectomy on the steroidogenic hormones estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone in an experimental fe-male rat model.

Materials and Methods:

Forty-five female Wistar Albino rats were used in this study and randomly divided into two groups: the study [hysterec-tomy (n=30)] and the control [sham operation (n=15)] groups. Hysterec-tomy in the study group and sham operation in the control group were per-formed. In both groups, blood sampling was performed for basal, and pos-toperative 50th and 100th day evaluation of hormonal variables (estradiol, progesterone, testosterone). The results of the two groups were compared.

Results:

There was no difference in hormonal variables (estradiol, pro-gesterone, testosterone) between the groups when the entire time interval was considered (p>0.05). When basal, and postoperative 50th and 100th day hormonal variables were evaluated separately, in the hysterectomy group, the estradiol level at postoperative day 50 was significantly lower (p=0.011), and the progesterone level at postoperative day 100 was signifi-cantly higher than the control group values (p=0.033).

Conclusion:

When the changes in the level of steroidogenic hormones fol-lowing hysterectomy are taken into account, it should be kept in mind that hysterectomy may affect ovarian functions.