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Expression of β ‐ADRENERGIC receptors inthe rat uterus : effects of puberty and oestrogen treatmentduring prepubertal development
Author(s) -
Brauer M.Mónica,
Burnstock Geoffrey
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
international journal of developmental neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.761
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1873-474X
pISSN - 0736-5748
DOI - 10.1016/s0736-5748(97)00047-6
Subject(s) - endocrinology , medicine , uterus , biology , receptor , endocrine system , estrous cycle , adrenergic receptor , hormone
The expression of β ‐adrenoceptors in the rat uterus has been analysed duringthe peripubertal transition and following acute and chronic oestradiol treatment duringprepubertal development. The distribution and density of β ‐adrenoceptors was assessedautoradiographically on cryostat tissue sections using [ 3 H]‐dihydroalprenolol ([ 3 H]‐DHA). Binding sites were localised in all the ages andexperimental situations examined and showed the following intensity of labelling : endometrialepithelium > longitudinal muscle layer > circular myometrial layer > endometrial stroma.Competition experiments with the selective antagonists ICI 118,551 and atenolol, showed thatmost of the β ‐adrenoceptors in the uterus belong to the β 2 receptorsubclass. In prepubertal animals, the density of [ 3 H]‐DHA binding sites was extremelylow. Following puberty the density of binding sites showed a generalised increase. Acuteadmininstration of oestradiol at the end of the prepubertal period provoked an increase in thedensity of [ 3 H]‐DHA binding sites in all uterine regions, but the levels of labelling werelower than in peripubertal animals at proestrus and oestrus. Following chronic oestrogentreatment during postnatal development, oestradiol increased further the density of [ 3 H]‐DHA binding sites. Results are discussed considering both the endocrine and neuralchanges accompanying puberty and oestradiol treatment.