Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2026
07:02
Minimally Invasive Embryo Transfer and Embryo Vitrification at the Optimal Embryo Stage in Rabbit Model
Published on: May 16, 2019
Effect of letrozole on urinary bladder function in the female rabbit
Wei-Yu Lin1, Alexandra Rehfuss, Catherine Whitbeck
1Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chia-Yi, Taiwan, ROC, and Albany College of Pharmacy, Albany, NY, USA.
BJU International
|September 14, 2007
Summary
Letrozole temporarily impaired female rabbit bladder contractility and collagen levels. Bladder function and smooth muscle content recovered after two weeks, suggesting testosterone
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Urology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Aromatase inhibitors like letrozole reduce estrogen synthesis.
- Estrogen plays a role in female reproductive and potentially other organ functions.
- The impact of estrogen inhibition on bladder physiology is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of letrozole on female rabbit bladder contraction.
- To assess changes in bladder morphology and biochemistry following letrozole treatment.
- To explore the role of estrogen and testosterone in bladder contractile function.
Main Methods:
- Female New Zealand white rabbits received oral letrozole for 1, 2, or 3 weeks.
- A control group received saline.
- Bladder muscle strips were analyzed for contractile, histological, and biochemical properties.
Main Results:
- Letrozole significantly decreased serum estrogen and increased testosterone levels.
- One week of letrozole treatment reduced bladder contractility and increased collagen, but function normalized by week 2.
- Bladder smooth muscle percentage decreased initially then recovered; compliance decreased.
- No changes in sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase or mitochondrial function were observed.
Conclusions:
- Letrozole caused a transient decline in bladder contractility within the first week.
- Bladder function was restored by weeks 2 and 3, indicating reversibility.
- The study suggests testosterone may be as crucial as estrogen for female bladder contractile function.
