title: Estrogen receptor alpha and beta expression in the vaginal walls and uterosacral ligaments of premenopausal and postmenopausal women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the expression of messenger RNA (mRNA) for estrogen receptors alpha and beta in the vaginal walls and uterosacral ligaments of premenopausal and postmenopausal women.
  
  
  METHODS
  In vitro experiment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Academic research environment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen consecutively seen women who underwent hysterectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Samples of anterior vaginal walls and uterosacral ligaments were obtained during hysterectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis for estrogen receptor mRNA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Messenger RNA transcripts for estrogen receptor alpha were present in all samples of vaginal walls (16/16) and uterosacral ligaments (16/16). Estrogen receptor beta mRNA was detected in all samples of vaginal walls from premenopausal women (12/12) but in none of those from postmenopausal women (0/4). Estrogen receptor beta mRNA was found in most samples of uterosacral ligaments from premenopausal women (10/12) and in some of those from postmenopausal women (2/4).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Estrogen receptors alpha and beta were expressed in the vaginal walls and uterosacral ligaments of premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Estrogen receptor beta was absent from the vaginal walls of postmenopausal women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis 55455, USA.
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Oliver
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: L Y
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yeh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008022:Ligaments / Q000737:chemistry*; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D017697:Premenopause; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000235:genetics*; D012447:Sacrum; D014599:Uterus; D014621:Vagina / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen