[INFLUENCE OF THE FEMALE SEX HORMONE 17-BETA-ESTRADIOL ON THE DEGREE OF HYPOXIC PULMONARY HYPERTENSION IN MALE AND...

The influence of endogenous and exogenous 17-beta-estradiol on the degree of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH) in male and female Wistar rats has been studied. Endogenous estradiol reduced the right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) in normal female rats, but not in male rats. Exogenous estradiol (15 pg/kg for 4 weeks) caused the same effect. The HPH was induced by exposure to intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (10 h a day, 02 = 10%). Two weeks after hypoxia exposure, increased RVSP was more developed in females as compared to males. Comparison of RVSP between hypertensive and normotensive fet'a- le groups showed that the pathology in hypertensive females with retained ovaries is developed more than in ovariectomized ones. Exogenous estradiol exhibi- ted no protective effect in hypoxic ovariectomized female rats. In males, the ovariectomy did not influence the RVSP level, but caused hypertrophy of the right ventricle. In this case, exogenous estradiol led to an increase in RVSP. Thus, endogenous 17-beta-estradiol has a protective effect on the pulmonary blood flow in normal females. In the case of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension, endogenous estradiol enhances the development of this pathology in females and ovariecto- mized males.