[Effects of gestrinone on experimental endometriosis in rabbits].

OBJECTIVE: To study the therapeutic effects of gestrinone on experimental endometriosis in rabbits. METHODS: Mature female rabbits were laparotomized under sterile condition and three or four segments of endometrium (7 mm x 7 mm) were sutured to the mesentery of uterus. Seven weeks after operation these animals were divided into 5 groups: control; treated with danazol 20mg/kg; gestrinone 0.06, 0.12, 0.24 mg/kg for 4 weeks respectively. At the end treatment they were laparotomized again. The ectopic endometrial implants were weighted and their morphologic features were analysed quantitatively by semi-automatic image analysis system, meanwhile serum follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) concentrations were determined by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Decreased weight and atrophy of ectopic endometrial implants were shown in all experimental groups, except for control and 0.06 mg/kg gestrinone treated-group. In 0.12, 0.24 mg/kg gestrinone treated-group, except for P serum FSH, LH and E2, concentrations decreased significantly. The degree of inhibition on ectopic lesions of 0.12 mg gestrinone group was similar to that of danazol group. CONCLUSIONS: Gestrinone inhibits the growth of ectopic endometrial implants in a dose-dependent manner and showed a significant therapeutic effects on experimental endometriosis in rabbits.