Changes in visceral pain reactivity as a function of estrous cycle in female rats with artificial ureteral calculosis

This study examined estrous differences in the characteristics of behavioral crises of visceral pain in female rats video-taped throughout a 4-day period after implantation of an artificial stone in one ureter. All animals continued to have a regular cycle after ureteral surgery. In the recording period, the percentage of time spent in crises was significantly higher during metestrus/diestrus (M/D) than during proestrus/estrus (P/E) (P<0.001, χ²-test). Mean duration and complexity of crises were slightly higher in M/D than in P/E, but the difference was not significant. The results in this animal model show an enhancement of ureteral pain sensitivity in M/D, a finding in line with the clinical observation, in fertile women with urinary calculosis, of a greater incidence of colics in the perimenstrual period (equivalent to M/D in rats).     

Surface morphology of the rabbit uterus and oviduct during estrus

Summary The surface profile of the mucosae of rabbit uteri and Fallopian tubes during estrus were examined under the scanning electron microscope. We found that the endometrium forms interconnecting circularly arranged pillows, short mounds and ledges. Straight, continuous, longitudinal folds do not occur. Ciliated cells are found abundantly in the cavum epithelium, occurring either singly or in small groups.The oviducal mucosa in the ampullary region forms tall, unbranching, longitudinally aligned folds. Secondary and tertiary folds are not found. A complicated system of low lying slanting, diagonal mucosal ledges forms between the tall longitudinal folds. They connect neighbouring longitudinal folds together.The investigations were supported by Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft grants No. Ku 210/6 and Ku 210/8     

Effects of an anti-androgen and 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors on estrus duration in the cycling female rat

Five experiments examined the role of circulating androgens in the control of sexual behavior (lordosis) in the intact cycling rat. The androgen receptor blocker, flutamide (FLU), was administered daily to cycling rats beginning on the day of estrus, and lordotic responsiveness was measured on the 2nd subsequent proestrus day and on the day of estrus. FLU-treated females showed significantly higher levels of lordosis throughout the end of the period of estrus than controls (Experiment 1). Neither the maximal levels of lordosis seen on the evening of proestrus nor the time of onset of estrous responsiveness during the preceeding afternoon were affected by FLU (Experiment 2). Serum estradiol concentrations seen on the morning of proestrus (Experiment 3) did not differ between FLU- and vehicle-treated animals. The weak 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor, testosterone-17 beta-carboxylic acid (17 beta C), prolonged slightly, but did not significantly lengthen, the period of estrus (Experiment 4), while the highly potent steroidal 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor, 4 MA, significantly increased the rate at which estrous behavior declined on the day of estrus (Experiment 5). Circulating androgens do not appear to affect the maximal level of sexual receptivity displayed nor the time of estrus onset; however, they may govern the duration of the period of estrus by influencing the rate of estrus termination.     

Detection of estrus by male mice: Synergistic role of olfactory–vomeronasal system

In rodents, olfactory pathway comprises two distinct systems viz, the main olfactory and vomeronasal systems, both differing in anatomy, physiology and function. The precise role of the main olfactory/vomeronasal system in estrus detection is yet to be explored. Therefore, the present investigation was planned to elucidate the role of main olfactory and vomeronasal system in the estrus discriminating ability of male mice. Female urine samples of proestrus, estrus, metestrus, diestrus, ovarectomized, ovarectomized plus estrogen treated and prepubertal mice were used for the present study. In addition, the urine from intact, castrated and castrated with testosterone treated mice was also tested for odour preference by male mice. The male responders were categorized into three groups namely (a) normal, (b) ZnSO₄-irrigated and (c) vomeronasal organ (VNO)-ablated. The behavioural responses such as frequency and duration of visits to urine samples were carried out in a Y-maze apparatus to assess odour preference. The normal mice displayed more frequent visits to estrus urine samples than to non-estrus samples. In contrast, ZnSO₄-irrigated mice showed significant reduction in the frequency of visits towards estrus urine, whereas, the vomeronasal (VNO)-ablated mice did not show any noticeable preference. With regard to the duration of visits the VNO-ablated mice showed significant reduction in visiting time when compared to ZnSO₄-irrigated mice. This finding indicated that the main olfactory system (MOS) was involved primarily in the attraction from a distance, while the VNO played a major role in close proximity (pre-copulatory behaviour). The males spent less time with the urine of same-sex; however, the response was higher with castrated male urine which was reduced on testosterone treatment indicating that a specific odour in intact male causes aversive behaviour in male. This study provides support to the fact that volatile compounds could also be perceived by VNO, probably when the main olfactory system is in functional state. The study implies that the olfactory–vomeronasal system plays a synergistic role in the detection of estrus.     

血浆神经降压素的放射免疫测定

用放射免疫分析法测定了人和大鼠血浆神经降压素样免疫活性物质(NTLI)的含量。结果表明,酶抑制剂(抑肽酶和杆茵肽)可使血浆 NTLl 测值明显增大;进食也可使血浆 NTLI 含量显著增加(P<0.05);间情大鼠血浆 NTLI 的含量较动情期降低极显著(P<0.01)。因此,在抗凝血中加入酶抑制剂确能提高血浆 NTLI 的测定值。     

左炔诺孕酮炔雌醚片所致动情期同步的雌性小鼠的研制

目的　促使NIH雌性小鼠的动情期同步出现 ,同时避免其与雄性小鼠交配后受孕。方法　用左炔诺孕酮炔雌醚片灌胃 ,并以已烯雌酚作为对照药 ,比较雌性小鼠动情期同步出现的几率 ,寻找出制作同步动情期的雌性小鼠的最佳造模方法。结果　发现左炔诺孕酮炔雌醚片的灌胃剂量为人体的 2倍 ,且每 5天灌胃一次 ,雌性小鼠的动情期同步几率就可以达到 80 %或以上。结论　本研究为房室不节致肾虚证雄性小鼠模型所需同步动情期雌性小鼠的制作提供了较为简便的方法。     

提高大鼠子宫内膜异位症建模成功率的新方法研究

目的 为子宫内膜异位症治疗新方法的研究提供理想的动物模型。方法 取64只性成熟、未孕、动情周期规律的SD大鼠,于动情期在腹膜、皮下利用"刀划法"行自体子宫内膜移植,术后4周比较两移植部位建模情况。结果 大鼠动情期自体子宫内膜移植总体成功率为93.3%,其中腹膜移植成功率为51.7%,皮下移植成功率为88.3%,两者比较差异有统计学意义;比较两部位异位病灶的体积,差异无统计学意义。结论 利用"刀划法"建立大鼠子宫内膜异位症模型成功率较高,皮下移植比腹膜移植成功率高。     

Anatomical location and redistribution of G protein-coupled estrogen receptor-1 during the estrus cycle in mouse kidney and specific binding to estrogens but not aldosterone

Prior studies have linked renoprotective effects of estrogens to G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor-1 (GPER-1) and suggest that aldosterone may also activate GPER-1. Here, the role of GPER-1 in murine renal tissue was further evaluated by examining its anatomical distribution, subcellular distribution and steroid binding specificity. Dual immunofluorescent staining using position-specific markers showed that GPER-1 immunoreactivity primarily resides in distal convoluted tubules and the Loop of Henle (stained with Tamm-Horsfall Protein-1). Lower GPER-1 expression was observed in proximal convoluted tubules marked with megalin, and GPER-1 was not detected in collecting ducts. Plasma membrane fractions prepared from whole kidney tissue or HEK293 cells expressing recombinant human GPER-1 (HEK-GPER-1) displayed high-affinity, specific [³H]-17β-estradiol ([³H]-E2) binding, but no specific [³H]-aldosterone binding. In contrast, cytosolic preparations exhibited specific binding to [³H]-aldosterone but not to [³H]-E2, consistent with the subcellular distribution of GPER-1 and mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) in these preparations. Aldosterone and MR antagonists, spironolactone and eplerenone, failed to compete for specific [³H]-E2 binding to membranes of HEK-GPER-1 cells. Furthermore, aldosterone did not increase [³⁵S]-GTP-γS binding to membranes of HEK-GPER-1 cells, indicating that it is not involved in G protein signaling mediated through GPER-1. During the secretory phases of the estrus cycle, GPER-1 is upregulated on cortical epithelia and localized to the basolateral surface during proestrus and redistributed intracellularly during estrus. GPER-1 is down-modulated during luteal phases of the estrus cycle with significantly less receptor on the surface of renal epithelia. Our results demonstrate that GPER-1 is associated with specific estrogen binding and not aldosterone binding and that GPER-1 expression is modulated during the estrus cycle which may suggest a physiological role for GPER-1 in the kidney during reproduction.     

雌犬诱导发情初步观察

对９只１年以上不发情或未孕的健康育龄雌犬，采用乙烯雌酚、ＨＭＧ、ＨＣＧ单独或综合方案，以药物诱导发情周期，适时配种，４次成功受孕，其中１例流产，３例正常生产。２例在诱发周期中配种未孕犬于给药后５０ｄ左右，再次出现血情分泌物，进入新的发情周期，交配成功并产仔。     

间情期与发情期比格犬子宫与卵巢组织形态学的比较

目的比较比格犬的子宫、卵巢在间情期与发情期的组织形态学的差异,为后期研究奠定基础。方法用化学发光法测定了23只经产比格母犬的血清性激素水平,选取经血清学鉴定处于发情期的比格犬2只,间情期的比格犬4只的卵巢和子宫标本,中性多聚甲醛固定,石蜡包埋,常规HE染色镜检,拍照。结果间情期犬子宫及其内膜较薄,间质纤维增生,黄体中以初级卵泡为主,可见1～2个次级卵泡,未见成熟卵泡,卵泡和黄体细胞间纤维较多、血管少。发情期犬子宫及其内膜增厚,内膜腺体腔较大,部分腺体呈分枝状弯曲,腺上皮肿大,胞浆淡染,少数可见核下空泡。卵巢中卵泡数量较多,有初级、次级和1～2个成熟卵泡。黄体细胞数量多,排列规则,境界清楚,间质纤维比较疏松,血管多,未见空泡变性。间情期和发情期犬卵巢中未见明显白体。结论间情期比格犬的性激素维持在一比较低的水平,在发情前期雌激素水平迅速增高,而在排卵后比格犬的孕酮水平较高。随发情周期的变化,卵巢和子宫在形态学上发生相应的变化。