Reproductive System, Female

Ovary - Metaplasia, Osseous

Narrative
Comment:

Ovarian osseous metaplasia (Figure 1 and Figure 2) is characterized by a well-circumscribed, unencapsulated focus composed of bony trabeculae lined by osteoblasts and osteoclasts; there may also be clumps of amorphous acellular basophilic material, which are most likely mineralized deposits of calcium salts, and mild compression of adjacent ovarian parenchyma. Ovarian metaplasia is a change associated with aging and ovarian atrophy. Osseous metaplasia has been occasionally reported, but the mechanism has not been elucidated.

Recommendations:

Ovary - Metaplasia, Osseous should be diagnosed and graded whenever present.

References:

Greaves P. 2012. Female genital tract. In: Histopathology of Preclinical Toxicity Studies: Interpretation and Relevance in Drug Safety Evaluation, 4th ed. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 667-724.

National Toxicology Program. 1997. NTP TR-450. Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Tetrafluoroethylene (CAS No. 116-14-3) in F344 Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Inhalation Studies). NTP, Research Triangle Park, NC.

Abstract: https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/go/6044

Peluso JJ, Gordon LR. 1992. Nonneoplastic and neoplastic changes in the ovary. In: Pathobiology of the Aging Rat (Mohr U, Dungworth DL, Capen CC, eds). ILSI Press, Washington, DC, 351-364.

  • Image of metaplasia, osseous in the ovary from a female B6C3F1 mouse in a chronic study

    Ovary - Metaplasia, Osseous in a female B6C3F1/N mouse from a chronic study. An area of osteoid is present in the ovarian parenchyma.

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Ovary - Metaplasia, Osseous in a female B6C3F1/N mouse from a chronic study. An area of osteoid is present in the ovarian parenchyma.
Ovary - Metaplasia, Osseous in a female B6C3F1/N mouse from a chronic study. An area of osteoid is present in the ovarian parenchyma.
Ovary - Metaplasia, Osseous in a female B6C3F1/N mouse from a chronic study (higher magnification of Figure 1). There is an area of osteoid with foci of mineralization.
Ovary - Metaplasia, Osseous in a female B6C3F1/N mouse from a chronic study (higher magnification of Figure 1). There is an area of osteoid with foci of mineralization.

Authors

Gabrielle Willson, BVMS, Dip RC Path, FRC Path, MRCVS
Senior Pathologist
Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc.
Research Triangle Park, NC

Karen Y. Cimon, DVM, MS
Senior Pathologist
Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc.
Research Triangle Park, NC

Reviewers

Karen S. Regan, DVM, DABT, DACVP
Pathologist
Regan Path/Tox Services, Inc.
Ashland, OH  

Darlene Dixon, DVM, PhD, DACVP, Fellow, IATP
Group Leader, Molecular Pathogenesis Group
National Toxicology Program Laboratory
National Toxicology Program
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC