Stimulation of vaginal growth and cornification in the absence of estrogen or nuclear binding of the estrogen receptor.
Mechanical stimulation of the vagina in ovariectomized rats results in vaginal epithelial proliferation and cornification which is identical to that seen with estradiol benzoate treatment. The estrogen receptor is localized primarily in the cytosol of mechanically stimulated vaginae, whereas, after estradiol benzoate treatment, the receptor is found in the nuclear compartment. Thus, it is possible to obtain a biological response ordinarily controlled by estrogen without the involvement of either the hormone or its receptor.
D000315:Adrenalectomy; D000818:Animals; D002369:Castration; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D010812:Physical Stimulation; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D014621:Vagina / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D004958:Estradiol