Blood pressure and mesenteric vascular reactivity in spontaneously hypertensive rats 7 months after gonadectomy

Sexual dimorphism in the degree of high blood pressure (BP) has been observed in both animal and human hypertension. However, the mechanisms are still poorly understood. We tested the hypothesis that long-term loss of sex steroids promotes changes in mesenteric vascular reactivity that impact the maintenance of hypertension in the spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

Male SHR were sham operated (M-SHAM) or castrated (M-CX), and female SHR were sham-operated (F-SHAM) or ovariectomized (F-OVX) at 3 weeks of age. Seven months later, BP was measured in anesthetized rats, and vascular responsiveness was evaluated in the isolated perfused mesentery.

Mean arterial BP (mm Hg) was significantly greater in M-SHAM (186 ± 6) compared with F-SHAM (159 ± 5). Gonadectomy reduced BP in male SHR (M-CX: 160 ± 4) but had no significant effect in female SHR (F-OVX: 153 ± 7). Norepinephrine-induced constriction was similar in all groups. Gonadectomy attenuated serotonin-induced vasoconstriction in the mesentery. Acetylcholine (ACh)- and isoproterenol (ISO)-induced vasodilation was greater in female than male SHR. Ovariectomy of female SHR blunted ACh and ISO dilatory responses. ISO dose-response curves were shifted to the left in castrated male SHR.

Gonadectomy exerts long-term effects on mesenteric vascular reactivity and hypertension in the SHR.