19th Annual Student Research Conference
Interdisciplinary
The Effects of Estrogen on the Lower Urinary Tract
G. Alexis Raftopoulos
Dr. Robert J. Theobald (ATSU-KCOM) and Dr. Laura Fielden, Faculty Mentors
Estrogen plays an important role in the function of the bladder; however its effect is unclear. Estrogen deficiency causes changes within the urogenital tract associated with dysfunction, such as incontinence and overactivity. This study tested the following hypotheses; 1) age related decreases in estrogen are associated with decreased sensitivity of bladder smooth muscle to nitric oxide (NO), and 2) estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) restores bladder sensitivity to NO. NO sensitivity was assessed in female adult cats in control, sham, ovariectomized, and ovariectomized plus ERT (7 or 28 days). An NO donor, 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1) was used to assess bladder sensitivity. Spontaneous contraction activity and micturition volume threshold (MVT) were compared among the groups. Results demonstrated that depletion of estrogen diminished the effect of NO, resulting in a shorter onset time to spontaneous contractions and to MVT. ERT (28 day) restored the bladder response to SIN-1, suggesting a restored sensitivity to NO.
Keywords: Estrogen, Nitric oxide, urinary bladder, feline, Sin-1, urodynamics
Topic(s):Sigma-Xi
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 60-82
Location: OP Lobby and Atrium
Time: 4:15