Modulation of rat vaginal structure by sex steroid hormones

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Boston UniversityPLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you.The vagina is a key organ in the peripheral genital arousal response. In animal models, pelvic nerve stimulation increases vaginal wall compliance, blood flow and transudation of fluid. Decreases in ovarian steroids are known to induce structural changes in the vagina, and evidence is mounting that alterations in the hormonal milieu contribute to genital pathophysiology. To date, however, mechanisms by which sex steroids regulate vaginal arousal responses have not been adequately studied. Further, limited data are available on the effects of hormone replacement on tissue morphology, hormone receptor distribution and vaginal innervation. We propose that imbalances in sex steroid hormone levels alter the distribution, expression and actions of steroid receptors and neurotransmitters, leading to structural and functional changes in vaginal tissue and impairment the arousal response. The goal of this study was to assess dynamic changes in vaginal tissue structure with hormone deprivation and administration. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were used as an animal model. Intact animals served as controls. Ovariectomized animals were treated for a two week period with vehicle, estradiol, testosterone, progesterone, or a combination of estradiol plus testosterone or progesterone. To assess changes in vaginal physiology and morphology, physiological and histological techniques were used, including stereological analysis and immunohistochemistry for localization of hormone receptors and various neuronal markers.2031-01-0