Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “CASTRATION”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,171 records · Page 65Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Castration decreases single cell levels of mRNA encoding glutamic acid decarboxylase in the diagonal band of broca and the sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area.

Using quantitative in situ hybridization histochemistry (ISHH), we determined the effect of castration on single cell levels of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) mRNA in discrete hypothalamic regions of the male rat brain associated with the control of gonadotropin secretion. A 48-base oligodeoxynucleotide probe was used to detect with equal affinity the two isoforms of GAD message, GAD65 and GAD67. GAD message also was quantitated in a number of selected areas of the brain to contrast GAD gene expression amongst several populations of GABAergic neurons. Comparison of 11 brain regions demonstrated a 9.3-fold range in the quantity of single cell GAD mRNA with levels being highest in the amygdala and the diagonal band of Broca, moderate in the piriform cortex, caudate nucleus, substantia innominata, globus pallidus, cingulate cortex and medial septal nucleus, and lowest in the lateral septal nucleus and the medial preoptic nucleus (MPN). Castration markedly reduced single cell GAD mRNA levels in the DBB and the MPN, two discrete hypothalamic structures known to contain dendritic fields, cell bodies, and axons of GnRH neurons projecting to the median eminence. A striking finding was a dense core of steroid-sensitive GABAergic neurons within the MPN comprising the sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area (SDN-POA). Similar to the MPN as a whole, the amount of GAD mRNA expressed by cells in the SDN-POA of sham operated control rats was greater than in castrated animals. GAD mRNA levels were inversely related to serum LH titers, suggesting a role for these neurons in the mechanism controlling gonadal steroid negative feedback on LH secretion. This report provides the basis for future work to determine if GAD65, GAD67 or whether both isoforms are affected by gonadal steroid input.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

Use of a new finger-mounted device to compare mechanical nociceptive thresholds in cats given pethidine or no medication after castration.

Mechanical nociceptive thresholds are regularly used to determine the efficacy of analgesic agents both experimentally and clinically in a variety of species. The 'pressure of palpation device' (PPD) was developed for use in cats and is a small battery operated device with a finger-mounted force sensing resistor (FSR, Interlink Electronics, Northumberland. UK). The PPD was used in a study assessing the analgesic efficacy of pethidine after castration in cats. Pethidine was demonstrated to prevent the development of post-operative scrotal hypersensitivity for up to 2 hours after castration, whereas cats given no analgesics showed marked hyperalgesia immediately after surgery. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) pain scores after castration showed a similar analgesic effect of pethidine. These results suggest that the PPD could become a useful research tool to assess the effectiveness of analgesic agents in the cat.

Analgesics, Opioid↗
PubMed1989

The in vitro conversion of 3H androstenedione to testosterone and dihydrotestosterone in the adrenal gland of castrated male rat: influence of gonadal steroid administration.

In the present study we considered the effects of bilateral orchiectomy on the metabolism of androstenedione in the adrenal gland of the adult male rat. Adrenal glands of intact animals incubated in the presence of 3H androstenedione resulted in its conversion to testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (the two principal metabolites investigated). The value of the latter metabolite increased with the elapsing of time from castration despite the decrease of testosterone with respect to that observed in the sham operated rats of the same age. This effect is reversed in the presence of testosterone treatment with androstenedione and testosterone levels similar to those obtained in intact animals. Androstenedione adrenal metabolism is greatly lowered following the administration of dihydrotestosterone propionate, resulting in high substrate residue values with respect to untreated castrated rats. Contemporarily, testosterone metabolite value remains unchanged while the production of dihydrotestosterone is significantly lower. Finally a decrease of DHT was also encountered in the presence of estradiol benzoate. The above results clearly point to a progressive activation of the 5 alpha-reductase of the adrenal gland after castration utilizing androstenedione as substrate. The metabolic pathway leading to the production of dihydrotestosterone from androstenedione appears to be modulated differently following the administration of gonadal steroids.

Adrenal Glands↗
PubMed1997

Effect of estradiol on serum triglyceride lipoprotein levels and fatty acid composition in castrated rats.

Triglyceride content and fatty acid composition of rat serum lipoproteins showed specific variations after castration and estradiol treatment. Triglyceride levels decreased in VLDL after castration and in LDL and HDL after low doses of estradiol. High doses of estradiol enhanced triglyceride levels in VLDL and decreased them in LDL. Fatty acid composition showed a complex pattern: after castration, monoenoic acids decreased and essential fatty acids increased in all lipoprotein classes, enhancing the EFA/NEFA and EFA/ME ratios. Both doses of estrogen lowered these ratios in VLDL and LDL, but decreased them in HDL with high doses and enhanced them in HDL with low doses.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Quantitative studies of compensatory testicular hypertrophy following unilateral castration in the boar.

Unilateral castration of Large White X Landrace boars at monthly intervals up to 5 months of age, with the remaining testis being removed 2 months later, resulted in compensatory hypertrophy of the testis which decreased with age. In pigs 3 and 4 months old there was significant hypertrophy of the testis but at 5 and 7 months of age testicular weight of the hemicastrates did not differ significantly from control values. The increase in the testicular weight of unilaterally castrated pigs was correlated with an increase in the number of Sertoli and germ cells at 3 months of age and germ cells at 4 months of age occupying the seminiferous epithelium. This was correlated with increased total seminiferous tubule length and larger cross-sectional area of the tubule. Sertoli cell occupancy did not differ significantly between unilaterally castrated and intact boars.

Aging↗
PubMed2000

Castration increases and androgens decrease nitric oxide synthase activity in the brain: physiologic implications.

Sex differences in nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in different regions of the rat brain and effects of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) treatment in orchidectomized animals were investigated. Regional but no sex differences in NOS activity were detected in gonadectomized animals. Orchidectomy significantly increased NOS activity in the hypothalamus, "amygdala," and cerebellum but not in the cortex. In the hypothalamus, the increase in NOS activity after castration and its reversal by androgen treatment was mimicked by changes in neuronal NOS mRNA level. In contrast, androgen receptor (AR) mRNA level in the hypothalamus was slightly reduced by castration and increased by treatment with DHT. Again in the hypothalamus, the increase in NOS activity in castrated rats was accompanied by an increase in the number of neuronal NOS+ cells determined immunohistochemically, whereas androgen treatment prevented this increase. The changes in NOS+ neurons correlated with the changes in the number of AR+ cells to a degree. Overlap of AR in NOS+ cells was not present in the regions of the hypothalamus analyzed. These results indicate that testosterone or, most likely, its metabolite DHT down-regulates NOS activity, mRNA expression or stabilization, and the number of neuronal NOS+ neurons.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Effect of castration on renin-angiotensin system of hypertensive rats submitted to chronic hypobaric hypoxia (simulated altitude: 4400 m).

The aim of the present study was to provide an overview of the role of circulating gonadal steroids on the adaptive changes of the renin-angiotensin system to chronic hypobaric hypoxia (CHH: 4400 m simulated altitude in an hypobaric chamber) and the development of experimental hypertension by bilateral renal ischemia. In order to fulfill this goal, blood pressure (BP), plasma renin activity (PRA) and plasma angiotensinogen concentration (PAoC) as well as haematocrit (Htc) and body weight (BW) of intact and post-puberal castrated normotensive (Nt) and hypertensive (Ht) rats of both sexes were studied following an experimental design similar to that of previous works. Post-puberal castration decreased BP of Nt and Ht rats subjected to CHH. Sexual dimorphism in BP, PRA and PAoC was maintained while that in haematocrit disappeared after castration. Results suggest that circulating sexual steroid hormones are involved in the response of the renin-angiotensin system to the experimental conditions of environmental reduced O2 partial pressure.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1988

Increased body-weight gain and body protein in castrated and adrenalectomized rats treated with clenbuterol.

1. Daily injection of the beta 2-adrenergic agonist clenbuterol (1 mg/kg body-weight) increased weight gain by 12% in young (35 d) male rats and by 18% in castrated rats, but had no effect on energy intake, expenditure or efficiency in either group. 2. Body fat content was not affected by clenbuterol or castration, but water and protein content were significantly increased by clenbuterol treatment in both intact and castrated rats. The ratio, body protein: fat was increased by 13 and 16% in these two groups compared with their respective, untreated controls. 3. Bilateral surgical adrenalectomy (ADX) of young (45 d) male rats significantly reduced body-weight, and energy intake, expenditure and efficiency. Carcass energy and fat contents were also reduced in ADX rats compared with age-matched controls. 4. Clenbuterol injections stimulated weight gain (% increase:intact 15, ADX 35), and increased body protein content (% increase:intact 12, ADX 8) and the ratio, carcass protein:fat (% increase:intact 34, ADX 23). 5. These findings demonstrate that the effects of clenbuterol on body-weight gain and composition in male rats occur in the absence of either gonadal or adrenal hormones. Together with other studies, these results provide further evidence to suggest that clenbuterol probably exerts its effects by a direct action on lean body mass.

Adrenalectomy↗
PubMed1991

Plasma concentrations of luteinising hormone and body weights during somatic maturation in intact and castrated Australorp cockerels from a line of hens selected for increased ovulation rate.

1. Plasma concentrations of luteinising hormone (LH), comb size and body weight were measured between 46 and 208 d of age in intact and castrated cockerels from lines of selected and control Australorp domestic chickens. The selected line had been selected for increased rate of lay by reducing oviposition intervals within sequences. The cockerels were reared and maintained on 15.25 h light/d. 2. Concentrations of plasma LH in the intact control cockerels were low in the 'immature' phase (less than 100 d old) and increased during the 'mature' phase (older than 175 d) with a peak occurring when the testes are beginning to grow at the onset of the 'mature' phase. In comparison with the control line of cockerels, the selected line had significantly higher plasma LH concentrations at the onset of the 'mature' phase. Selection had no effect on the mean concentration of plasma LH in either the immature phase or a few weeks after the onset of the mature phase. 3. There was no effect of selection in sibling females for higher rates of lay on changes in comb size or body weight during sexual maturation in the intact cockerels. 4. Castration at 45-46 d of age resulted in increased plasma LH concentrations and no comb growth. Plasma LH concentration increased progressively between 40-208 d. There was no difference between the two lines of cockerels in plasma LH concentration or rate of body growth after castration. 5. It is concluded that selection of females for a change in the rate of egg production has resulted in increased plasma LH concentrations in sibling males around the onset of sexual maturation. Selection appears to have caused this effect by altering an unidentified component of the inhibitory feedback mechanism which controls the tonic secretion of LH.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Pineal acid phosphatase activity in Syrian hamsters: sex differences and effects of castration and androgen replacement therapy.

Pineal acid phosphatase (ACP) activity was examined in seven experiments involving young intact or castrated male and female Syrian hamsters. Nine-week old female hamsters had a 3-fold (p < 0.001) higher ACP activity in their pineal glands than did males. After three weeks of castration, a significant increase (p < 0.001) in ACP activity occurred in castrated male pineal glands. In males, pellets with 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (p < 0.01) but not testosterone or progesterone suppressed pineal ACP activity. In females, no changes in pineal ACP activity were noted due to the estrous cycle. Pineal ACP activity was not affected by testosterone, dihydrotestosterone or androstenedione pellets in intact females or by testosterone pellets in ovariectomized animals.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1992

Adrenalectomy attenuates the effect of chemical castration on energy balance in rats.

The individual and combined influences of castration and adrenalectomy on energy balance in rats were investigated in a 2 x 2 factorial design. Castration was chemically achieved by treating rats with Buserelin, a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist. During the treatment, the rats were weighed every 2 or 3 d, and the total amount of food consumed was determined. At the end of the 14-d treatment period, rats were killed and their carcasses were analyzed for protein, fat and energy content. In the sham-operated groups, body weight gain was greater in Buserelin-treated rats than in saline-infused animals. However, in the adrenalectomized rats, there was no difference in body weight gain between the Buserelin- and saline-infused animals. In sham-operated groups, body protein and body fat gains were significantly larger in Buserelinthan in saline-infused animals. In saline-infused groups, protein gain was greater in adrenalectomized than in sham-operated animals. On the other hand, in the Buserelin-infused rats, there was no difference in the protein gain between the adrenalectomized and sham-operated rats. The adrenalectomized groups of rats ate less and deposited less fat and energy than their respective sham-operated counterparts. In the sham-operated groups, both the intake and the gain of energy were larger in the Buserelin-treated than in saline-infused rats. The present study indicates that adrenalectomy can significantly attenuate the influence of castration on energy gain, providing evidence that adrenals and ovaries can interact in the regulation of energy balance.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2003

Reciprocal interaction between seasonal testis and thyroid activity in Zembra Island wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus): effects of castration, thyroidectomy, temperature, and photoperiod.

The reproductive cycle of wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) living in Zembra Island (North Tunisia) is dependent on an external factor, the photoperiod: the gonads are inhibited by long days and stimulated by short days or melatonin implants. Here we studied the role of an internal factor, thyroid hormones and the possible thyroid-gonadal interrelationships, in animals captured on Zembra Island and maintained in natural conditions of photoperiod and temperature. We determined the seasonal profile of the thyroid and testis cycles and investigated the effects of castration and thyroidectomy on the seasonal testosterone and thyroxine cycles. Plasma thyroxine and testosterone levels followed similar, parallel seasonal patterns, with a peak in autumn (October) and low values from January to August. In thyroidectomized animals, plasma testosterone levels, although significantly higher than those in controls (P < 0.001), remained low throughout the 13 mo of the experiment, and no testicular reactivation was observed in the fall. In castrated animals, despite the increase in thyroxine concentration in the 3 mo following castration (P < 0.01), plasma thyroxine levels remained low during the 2 yr of the study. We then investigated the combined effects of long days (16L:8D) and moderately high temperature (25 degrees C) on these two endocrine axes. In constant gonado-inhibiting conditions (16L:8D), whether the temperature was kept constantly high or allowed to fluctuate naturally, no reactivation of the thyroid and testicular axes was observed in the fall. In control animals, the peaks of testosterone and thyroxine concentrations observed in September were larger (P < 0.001) than those in animals subjected to the same natural photoperiod conditions but with constantly high temperature. The lower level of autumnal testis stimulation (P < 0.001) in animals maintained in conditions of constant high temperature (25 degrees C) may be attributed to the low thyroxine levels induced by high temperature. These results clearly confirm that the thyroid and testicular cycles display similar seasonal variations and show that the thyroid and gonadal axes are strictly interdependent. This study provides the first demonstration, for a given species, that the seasonal reactivation of gonad activity is controlled by the thyroid, and thyroid activity is controlled by the gonads.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Morphological and histological study of castration-induced degeneration and androgen-induced regeneration in the mouse prostate.

Degenerative and regenerative changes in the ductal architecture of the ventral and dorsolateral prostates (VP and DLP) of the adult mouse were investigated in microdissected specimens over a time-course of 14 days following castration and subsequently during 14 days of administration of testosterone propionate. After castration, about 35% of the ductal tips and branch-points were lost in distal regions (usually near the capsule) in both prostatic lobes. By contrast, in more proximal regions of the prostate (closer to the urethra), the ducts survived in an atrophic condition. The ductal morphology that had been lost in the distal regions completely regenerated after testosterone propionate was administered to the castrated males. In the VP, androgen replacement simply returned the gland to its former size with moderate ductal distension; in the DLP, excessive epithelial infoldings and ductal distension were elicited in the distal regions of the ducts after 14 days of treatment with testosterone propionate. These results suggest that androgenic responsiveness and dependency are different in distal versus proximal ducts. Distal ducts are exquisitely androgen-dependent and androgen-sensitive; in proximal regions, androgen-dependency is not as strict.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Ovine luteinizing hormone. I. Effects of castration and steroid administration on the charge heterogeneity of pituitary luteinizing hormone.

Chromatofocusing was used to separate and characterize the isohormones of ovine luteinizing hormone (oLH) in the pituitaries of rams, wethers, and wethers receiving Silastic implants containing 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), 17 beta-estradiol (E2), or DHT plus E2. Extracts of anterior pituitaries were prepared by homogenization and centrifugation at 100,000 X g. Castration reduced the amount of oLH in the pituitary, even though peripheral levels were elevated. Pituitary oLH concentrations in wethers were further reduced by all three steroid treatments. When subjected to chromatofocusing on pH 10.5 to 7.0 gradients, pituitary extracts yielded eight peaks of immunoreactive oLH, which eluted with apparent isoelectric points of greater than 9.8, 9.26, 9.14, 9.07, 8.98, 8.91, and less than or equal to 7.0. These isohormones were designated A-G and Z, respectively. In rams, isohormones F and G were the predominant species, representing approximately equal to 57% of the immunoreactive oLH recovered from the column. Castration resulted in a subtle shift toward more basic isohormones. DHT administration caused an increase in the relative amount of isohormone A, whereas E2 treatment resulted in an increase in isohormone Z. DHT and E2 in combination produced increases in the relative amounts of both isohormones A and Z. All eight oLH isohormones were active in an in vitro LH bioassay and exhibited biological-to-immunological-assay (B/I) ratios in the ram ranging from 0.4 to 2.8. Isohormone F exhibited the highest B/I ratio in all the treatment groups. Similarly, isohormone F was clearly the predominant biologically active form of oLH in all groups. These results demonstrate that at least eight immunoreactive and biologically active forms of pituitary oLH can be separated by using chromatofocusing; the pattern of oLH isohormones is markedly different from that in the rat; castration has a minimal effect on the pattern of oLH isohormones in pituitary extracts; and exogenous gonadal steroid administration reduces the amount of oLH in the pituitary and changes the pattern of oLH isohormones, resulting in a higher percentage of less biologically active forms.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Ovine luteinizing hormone. II. Effects of castration and steroid administration on the levels of uncombined subunits within the pituitary.

Pituitaries were removed from rams, wethers, and wethers that received Silastic implants containing 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), 17 beta-estradiol (E2) or DHT + E2. After homogenization and centrifugation (100,000 X g), aliquots of the supernatants were subjected to analytical gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 Superfine to separate native ovine luteinizing hormone (oLH) from its uncombined subunits. Immunoreactive oLH and oLH subunits were quantified in the elution profiles to examine the effects of castration and gonadal steroid administration on the intracellular levels of uncombined oLH subunits. Pituitaries from rams contained 1.41 +/- 0.26, 0.191 +/- 0.024, and 0.0246 +/- 0.0043 micrograms oLH, oLH alpha and oLH beta per mg tissue, respectively, which translated to oLH alpha/oLH and oLH beta/oLH molar ratios of approximately equal to 0.29 and approximately equal to 0.04. Castration decreased the concentrations of oLH and its subunits by approximately 50%, but did not significantly alter the oLH alpha/oLH and oLH beta/oLH molar ratios. All three steroid treatments further decreased the concentrations of oLH and oLH beta. Pituitaries from DHT-implanted wethers exhibited similar oLH alpha/oLH and oLH beta/oLH molar ratios to rams and unimplanted wethers. However, in E2- or DHT + E2-implanted wethers, there was a greater reduction in the concentration of native oLH than in the uncombined subunits. Thus, both the oLH alpha/oLH and oLH beta/oLH molar ratios were significantly higher in E2- or DHT + E2-implanted wethers than in the other groups. The apparent molecular sizes of oLH or its subunits were not significantly altered by castration or steroid administration. These results suggest that DHT and E2 decrease the concentrations of uncombined oLH beta as well as native oLH in the pituitary, but do not appear to alter the apparent molecular size of either oLH or its uncombined subunits However, because the levels of uncombined subunits were not decreased to the same degree as oLH in E2-implanted wethers, estrogens may affect the process of oLH subunit combination or may result in the production of molecular forms of oLH that are easier to dissociate.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Characteristics of luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone secretion, pituitary responses to LH-releasing hormone (LHRH), and reproductive function in young bulls receiving the LHRH agonist deslorelin: effect of castration on LH responses to LHRH.

Young bulls were treated with graded dosages of the LHRH agonist deslorelin to ascertain 1) whether increased testosterone secretion persisted over a wide dose range of agonist; 2) whether elevated testosterone was maintained long-term and, if so, what effects there were on reproductive function; and 3) what pituitary responses to exogenous LHRH occurred in intact and castrated bulls receiving deslorelin. In three experiments, bulls received dosages of agonist ranging from approximately 0.15 to 29.0 micrograms deslorelin/kg live weight/day, by means of either bioimplants or injections. At all dosages, deslorelin induced an acute increase in plasma LH concentrations that declined after 24 h but remained at greater concentrations than in controls, although the differences were relatively small. Profiles of LH in bulls treated with deslorelin were characterized by tonic secretion with no clear evidence of LH pulses. Plasma testosterone concentrations were increased at all dosages of deslorelin and in one experiment remained greater than in controls for over 100 days of treatment. This increase was associated with an increase in the rate of testis growth; however, there were no apparent improvements in semen parameters. Bulls receiving deslorelin did not show a typical postcastration rise in plasma LH concentrations, and neither intact nor castrated bulls receiving deslorelin showed an increase in plasma LH after injection of natural sequence LHRH. The absence of endogenous LH pulses and lack of response to exogenous LHRH suggested that the anterior pituitary in bulls receiving LHRH agonist becomes desensitized. However, LH secretion persisted in a tonic manner and was associated with elevated plasma testosterone concentrations. The failure of both intact and castrated bulls receiving deslorelin to respond to exogenous LHRH suggested direct effects of deslorelin on the pituitary, rather than an interaction with steroid feedback.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

The antiandrogen anandron potentiates the castrating effect of the LH-RH agonist buserelin in the rat.

When buserelin (0.04-25 micrograms/kg/day), a potent LH-RH agonist, was administered s.c. daily for 15 days to male rats, prostate weight decreased after a transient increase in the first days of treatment but never as much as after orchidectomy, since testosterone secretion was never totally suppressed. The combination of the pure nonsteroid antiandrogen Anandron (20 mg/kg/day) with even low doses of buserelin led to an immediate decrease in prostate weight that was complete at 15 days. This could be explained (a) by an additivity of effects: inhibition by Anandron of the action of residual testosterone unsuppressed by buserelin on the prostate and prevention by buserelin of the rebound testosterone increase induced by Anandron: (b) by a potentiation by Anadron of the direct castrating effect of buserelin on the testis since testis weight and testosterone secretion were lowered to a greater extent by the combination than by buserelin alone. Anandron might increase the sensitivity of LH-RH receptors to LH-RH agonist in the testes, as has been shown in the pituitary. In contrast, the combination of the antiandrogenic steroid progestin, cyproterone acetate, with buserelin never potentiated the castrating effect of buserelin on testis weight and testosterone and only partially potentiated prostate atrophy. If such actions also exist in the human, the addition of Anandron to LH-RH agonist treatment would not only counter flare-up and adrenal androgen effects on the prostate but would also lower the doses of peptide or the time required for chemical castration.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in the lower urinary tract in rats after castration and estrogen administration.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate quantitatively, by means of immune histochemistry, the expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the bladder, vesicourethral junction, and urethra in normal, castrated adult rats and under estrogen administration. DESIGN: Sixty adult virgin rats (Rattus norvergicus albinus, Rodentia, Mammalia) from the CEDEME-UNIFESP Animal House were used. Rats were divided into three groups. Group I comprised noncastrated rats, group II comprised oophorectomized rats, and group III comprised castrated rats administered 17beta-estradiol in the form of subcutaneous implants at the dose of 0.18 mg/implant for 30 days. After performing standard immunohistochemistry procedures, the intensity of the dark-brown color was used as the cytoplasmic protein expression of VEGF. Cells without this coloration or weakly stained were considered negative. percentile of VEGF expression was obtained by counting 1,000 cells per slide and establishing the ratio between positive and total cells. RESULTS: The VEGF expression was uniform and similar along the urinary tract in group I. After castration, protein expression was almost absent in the bladder and was low in the vesicourethral junction and urethra. With estrogen replacement, very little of the expression was recovered in the bladder, and the reaction became evident in the vesicourethral junction and urethral sections. CONCLUSIONS: The present study implies a potential relationship between VEGF and urinary tract physiology. The results suggest that there are quantitative differences in VEGF expression in these tissues depending on steroid hormone status.

Animals↗