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Steroid effects on relaxin secretion in the rat
Biology of Reproduction
|November 1, 1982
Summary
Estrogen and testosterone, but not dihydrotestosterone, help regulate relaxin and progesterone secretion in pregnant rats. These hormones may stimulate relaxin secretion through the corpus luteum.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Hormonal Regulation of Pregnancy
Background:
- Relaxin and progesterone are crucial hormones during pregnancy.
- The roles of estrogen and androgens in regulating relaxin secretion are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the involvement of estrogen and androgens in the regulation of relaxin secretion during rat pregnancy.
Main Methods:
- Hysterectomy was performed on pregnant rats at Day 15.
- Hormone levels (relaxin, progesterone) were measured after treatment with testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, or estradiol.
- Sham-operated animals served as controls.
Main Results:
- Estradiol and testosterone treatments attenuated the decline in serum relaxin and progesterone post-hysterectomy.
- Dihydrotestosterone had no significant effect on relaxin or progesterone levels.
- Testosterone's effect is likely mediated by its conversion to estradiol.
Conclusions:
- Estrogen and testosterone stimulate luteal relaxin secretion in pregnant rats.
- Testosterone likely influences relaxin secretion via aromatization to estradiol within the corpus luteum.