title: The effect of 2- and 4-week ovariectomy on female rabbit urinary bladder function.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect ovariectomy (OVX) after 2 and 4 weeks on bladder function and biochemistry of the adult female rabbit urinary bladder.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve mature female rabbits were divided into 3 groups: control, 2-week ovariectomized, and 4-week ovariectomized. At the end of the experimental period, the following studies were performed: contractile studies on isolated strips; examinations of the activity of citrate synthase (a marker for mitochondrial function) and thapsigargin-sensitive calcium ATPase (a marker for sarcoplasmic reticular calcium uptake function); and quantification of Rho-kinase (ROK) alpha and beta and myosin light chain kinase by Western blot analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  By 28 days after OVX, there were significant decreases in bladder weight, contractile responses, and citrate synthase and sarcoplasmic reticular calcium uptake activity. In addition, by 28 days following OVX the relative concentration of ROK alpha was significantly increased, whereas ROK beta concentration was significantly decreased. Myosin light chain kinase was significantly reduced.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study demonstrated that OVX contributed significantly to chronically decreased contractile function in the detrusor muscle of the female rabbit bladder, and this decrease, in turn, was mediated by decreased mitochondrial and sarcoplasmic reticulum function. These specific bladder dysfunctions could be related to the demonstrated decreased blood flow to the bladder muscle and mucosa and the increased generation of free radicals. Changes in smooth muscle regulatory proteins, especially myosin light chain kinase, may also play a role in contractile dysfunctions.
authors.affiliation: Albany College of Pharmacy, Albany, NY 12203, USA.
authors.forename: Suning
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Tasmina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hydery
authors.forename: Yungshun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Juan
authors.forename: Wei-Yu
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kogan
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mannikarottu
authors.forename: Robert E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Leggett
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schuler
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Levin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D010052:Ovariectomy; D011817:Rabbits; D013997:Time Factors; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*