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The influence of ovarian hormones on the rat oviductal and uterine concentration of noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine

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Abstract

This paper describes the effects of estradiol and progesterone on the concenirations of noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine in the Wistar rat oviduct and uterus. The levels of noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine are higher in the oviduct than in the uterus whereas p-tyrosine and tryptophan are similar in both tissues. Estradiol treatment reduced the oviductal concentration of noradrenaline but not 5-hydroxytryptamine in oviduct, while the concentrations of both noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine were reduced in uterine horn. The levels of noradrenaline in the oviduct and uterus in rats in estrus were lower than those of diestrous rats. Bilateral ovariectomy produced an increase in uterine noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine levels. These changes were reversed in the presence of ovarian hormones as indicated by experiments where unilateral ovariectomy was performed. Reserpine administration reduced noradrenaline concentration in both the oviduct and the uterus but did not change oviductal or uterine 5-hydroxytryptamine.

These results indicate the existence of noradrenaline within postganglionic sympathetic nerve terminals and suggest that estrogens increase the utilization and the synthesis of noradrenaline in both the oviducts and the uterine horns. With respect to 5-hydroxytryptamine the data support the concept that it is mainly associated with mast cells.

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Author notes

  1. P. J. Chedrese

    Present address: Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Balcarce, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neuropsychiatric Research Unit, University of Saskatchewan, M.R. Building, S7N 0W0, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

    A. V. Juorio & X. M. Li

  2. Reproductive Biology Research Unit, University of Saskatchewan, M.R. Building, S7N 0W0, Saskatoon, SK, Canada

    P. J. Chedrese

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Juorio, A.V., Chedrese, P.J. & Li, X.M. The influence of ovarian hormones on the rat oviductal and uterine concentration of noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine. Neurochem Res 14, 821–827 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00964810

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