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Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology
Published in: Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology 1/2020

Open Access 01-12-2020 | Progesterone | Research

Effect of cold stress on ovarian & uterine microcirculation in rats and the role of endothelin system

Authors: Di Wang, Xiumei Cheng, Huimin Fang, Yanqing Ren, Xinhua Li, Weiwei Ren, Bing Xue, Cairui Yang

Published in: Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology | Issue 1/2020

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Abstract

Background

Cold, an environmental factor, induces many reproductive diseases. It is known that endothelin (ET) is a potent vasoconstrictor, and cold stress can increase the expression of ET and its receptors. The cold stress rat model was developed to examine two parameters: (1) the effects of cold stress on ovarian and uterine morphology, function, and microvascular circulation and (2) possible mechanisms of ET and its receptors involved in cold stress-induced menstruation disorders.

Methods

The rat cold stress model was prepared with an ice water bath. The estrous cycle was observed by methylene blue and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Serum estradiol 2 (E2), testosterone (T), progesterone (P) were detected by radioimmunoassay. Hemorheology indices were measured. The real-time blood flow of auricle and uterine surfaces was measured. Expressions of CD34 and α-SMA in ovarian and uterine tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. ET-1 contents in serum were tested, and expressions of ET-receptor types A and B (ET-AR and ET-BR) in ovarian tissues were detected via Western blotting.

Results

Cold stress extended the estrous cycle, thereby causing reproductive hormone disorder, imbalance of local endothelin/nitric oxide expression, and microcirculation disturbance. Cold-stress led to up-regulation of ET-AR expression and protein and down-regulation of ET-BR expression in rats.

Conclusions

This study suggests that the reason for cold stress-induced dysfunction in reproductive organs may be closely related to the imbalance of ET-1 and its receptor expressions, leading to microvascular circulation disorders in local tissues.
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Metadata
Title
Effect of cold stress on ovarian & uterine microcirculation in rats and the role of endothelin system
Authors
Di Wang
Xiumei Cheng
Huimin Fang
Yanqing Ren
Xinhua Li
Weiwei Ren
Bing Xue
Cairui Yang
Publication date
01-12-2020
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1477-7827
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12958-020-00584-1

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