Optical Imaging of Rat Ovaries

Introduction

Ovarian cancer is not a common cancer but it is the fifth leading cause of death from cancer in women. Little is known about the precursors and early stages of ovarian cancer partially due to the lack of human samples at the early stages. A cohesive model that incorporates ovarian cancer induction into a menopausal rodent would be well suited for comprehensive studies of ovarian cancer. Non-destructive imaging would allow carcinogenesis to be followed.

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Optical Coherence Microscopy (OCM) and Light-Induced Fluorescence (LIF) are minimally invasive optical modalities that allow both structural and biochemical changes to be noted. A follicle deplete rat ovarian cancer model was developed and the rats ovaries were imaged at 1, 3 and 5 months (after the introduction of the carcinogen into the follicle deplete anima) with a combined OCT/LIF system and with the OCM. Histology was preformed on these ovaries and any pathology determined. Histology was compared to the optical images taken as well as to the LIF spectra. Qualitative and quantitative analysis will be done on all optical data.

Preliminary Studies with Normal Rat Ovaries

An OCT image of the normal ovary suggests regularity of structure, seen in Figure 1. A thin bursa and small fluid-filled follicles (labeled F) are visualized with OCT. The LIF data from the normal ovary has two emission maxima, one at 390nm and one at 450nm. Previous studies suggest that the 390nm peak is collagen related and the 450nm peak/shoulder is related to the NADH content of the sample and/or to oxy-hemoglobin absorption at 420nm.

As seen in Figure 2, the OCM imaging allows for visualization of developing follicles (dark regions in the second and third images) and corpus lutea (circular grey region) and other structural components (bursa-outer region, seen best in the middle image). These images are taken 100um apart.


Figure 1. OCT (top) and LIF (bottom) of a normal ovary.
F indicates a fluid filled follicle.


Figure 2. OCM images of normal ovary.

Researchers

Primary: Elizabeth Kanter, Ross Walker, Sam Marion, Patricia Hoyer and Jennifer Barton

Additional: The members of the Tissue Optics and Hoyer Laboratories

Funding

NIH Biomedical Imaging and Spectroscopy Training Grant (Elizabeth)

 

For additional information contact Elizabeth Kanter.
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