Doxazosin blockade of alpha 1-adrenergic receptors increases rat serum progesterone levels: a putative role of ovarian angiotensin III in steroidogenesis.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the role of the local renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in the female reproductive system to modulate ovarian steroidogenesis and its relationship with alpha(1)adrenergic receptors.


METHODS
Observational study.


METHODS
University laboratory.


METHODS
Adult female Wistar rats treated with doxazosin (10 mg/kg) or vehicle for 15 days.


METHODS
Samples from the whole right ovary were dissected after perfusion with saline. The soluble and membrane-bound fractions were obtained from these samples. Also, blood samples were used to obtain the serum.


METHODS
Fluorometric measurement of soluble and membrane-bound RAS-regulating proteolytic regulatory enzyme activities by using arylamide derivatives as substrates. Time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay of serum E(2) and P.


RESULTS
alpha(1)Adrenergic receptor blockade increases ovarian soluble and membrane-bound aminopeptidase A and decreases membrane-bound aminopeptidase N and aminopeptidase B. Furthermore, serum P levels increased, whereas serum E(2) did not change.


CONCLUSIONS
Ovarian P production, at least in the rat, is regulated by noradrenaline through a mechanism of action in which the RAS is involved, with a main role for angiotensin III.
de la Chica-Rodríguez
Susana
S
Experimental and Clinical Physiopathology Research Group, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Experimental and Health Sciences, University of Jaén, Jaén, Spain.
Cortés-Denia
Pedro
P
Ramírez-Expósito
María Jesús
MJ
de Saavedra
José Manuel Arias
JM
Sánchez-Agesta
Rafael
R
Pérez
María del Cármen
Mdel C
Martínez-Martos
José Manuel
JM
D058668:Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists; D000805:Angiotensin III / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D017292:Doxazosin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D018340:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D013256:Steroids / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D058668:Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists; D018340:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1; D013256:Steroids; D000805:Angiotensin III; D011374:Progesterone; D017292:Doxazosin