Effect of estradiol on rat ileum

1. Sex hormones may influence gastrointestinal motility and thus may be responsible for symptoms that are common during pregnancy or hormone replacement therapy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of estradiol on the gut. 2. Segments of rat ileum (n=9) were suspended in an organ bath and exposed to increasing concentrations of carbachol, in the presence or absence of 17beta-estradiol. 17beta-estradiol markedly reduced the force developed by the ileum in response to carbachol. 3. These results suggest that estradiol reduces gastrointestinal motility.