The effects of long-term, high-dose oviductus ranae on growth, sexual organs, and hormones levels of mice were investigated. A total of 24, female Kunming mice were randomly assigned to the high-dose, low-dose, and control groups. Test groups received intragastric administration of oviductus ranae, and the control received intragastric administration of saline solution. After treatment, wet weight of the ovaries, uterus, and adrenal glands were measured and processed for histopathology. Hormone levels in the serum were measured by chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA), whereas protein expression of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), Type Ⅰ Transform growth factor β receptor TβRI), and TβR II in the uterus, ovary, and adrenal tissue were measured using the western blot. Oviductus ranae did not have a significant effect on the weight of female mice or wet weights of the uterus, ovary, and adrenal glands; while serum E2 and P (p < 0.05), FSH (p < 0.01), and T (p < 0.001) content increased significantly. Oviductus ranae did not have a significant effect on prolactin (PRL) and luteinizing hormone (LH) content. High doses of oviductus ranae led to an increase in the adrenal tissue protein, FSHR (p < 0.05), but did not show a significant effect in other groups. The results show that long-term, high-dose oviductus ranae alters serum E2, T, FSH, and P as well as increases FSHR protein expression. Thus, oviductus ranae exhibits estrogen-like effects, which may lead to the occurrence of reproductive tumors.
