Ovariectomy decreases biomechanical quality of skin via oxidative stress in rat

Aim: To investigate the effect of ovariectomy on the skin using biomechanical, biochemical, and histological techniques in the ovariectomized rat model. Ovariectomy causes significant changes in the physical characteristics of the skin. Materials and methods: Twenty female Wistar albino rats were divided into 2 groups, with each group consisting of 10 rats: the control group and the ovariectomized group. The ovariectomized group underwent bilateral ovariectomy via ventral incision and the control group underwent a sham operation. Skin biomechanics were measured 3 months following the ovariectomy with a tensile test using a biomaterial testing machine, and tensile strength, stress, strain, and toughness were calculated. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the skin of the rats were also measured using the biochemical methods. Thickness of the epidermis was determined by light microscopy. Results: Strength, stress, strain, SOD activity, and thickness of epidermis values were significantly decreased and the MDA level was increased in the ovariectomized rats compared to the control group. Conclusion: Our results showed that ovariectomy decreased the biomechanical quality of skin. This result may be related to reactive oxygen species generated by the induction of ovariectomy in rat skin damaging the connective tissue components of the dermis.