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Updated: Jul 30, 2026
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Dissection of Pelvic Autonomic Ganglia and Associated Nerves in Male and Female Rats
Published on: March 7, 2020
Pregnancy in rats is modulated by ganglionic cholinergic action
M Casais1, S M Delgado, Z Sosa
1Universidad Nacional de San Luis, Chacabuco 917, Argentina. mcasais@unsl.edu.ar
Reproduction (Cambridge, England)
|June 1, 2006
Summary
Cholinergic agents in the celiac ganglion influence rat pregnancy by modulating ovarian steroid release. This suggests the sympathetic nervous system fine-tunes gestation physiology.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Reproductive Biology
Background:
- Ovarian steroidogenesis during pregnancy is primarily under endocrine control.
- Limited data exists on neural factors influencing pregnancy physiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of cholinergic agents in the celiac ganglion on progesterone and androstenedione release.
- To explore neural modulation of ovarian steroidogenesis during late-term pregnancy in rats.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an ex vivo integrated system: celiac ganglion-superior ovarian nerve-ovary (celiac ganglion-SON-ovary).
- Incubated the system for 180 minutes, with separated ganglion and ovary compartments linked by the SON.
- Administered acetylcholine, atropine, and hexametonium to study steroid liberation on specific pregnancy days.
Main Results:
- Ovarian androstenedione levels varied based on the day of pregnancy.
- Acetylcholine administration to the ganglion reduced both progesterone and androstenedione on Day 15.
- On later days (19-21), acetylcholine decreased androstenedione but not progesterone.
- Pharmacological blockers suggested involvement of unspecific ganglionic pathways or muscarinic receptors.
Conclusions:
- The cholinergic sympathetic system originating from the celiac ganglion acts as a modulator of pregnancy physiology.
- Neural pathways, particularly cholinergic signaling, play a role in regulating ovarian steroid production during gestation.
