Gallstones induced by sex steroids in the female Syrian hamster: duration effects.

Scanning (SEM), and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy were used and correlated to morphologically characterize changes induced in the gallbladder epithelium of female Syrian hamster in response to treatments with estradiol (E) alone, and estradiol with medroxyprogesterone (E + MP). Compared with control (C), the E- and E + MP-treated groups demonstrated alterations in the serum lipid profile as well as significantly decreased body weights. The liver with gallbladder weights, as well as the uterus weights, were significantly increased. Two-month E and E + MP treatment groups exhibited increased number of anionically charged apical granules, and luminal mucoid elements. Contrastingly, the three-month treatment groups demonstrated larger and more gallstone-like deposits as compared to the C and two-month E and E + MP groups. This report presents a comprehensive overview of our previous and current data, including that of other investigators in relation to the various factors and parameters involved in the cholelithiatic process.