title: Analysis of hyaluronic acid concentration in rat vocal folds during estral and gravidic puerperal cycles.
abstract: Hormone plays an important role in the larynx. Among other substances, vocal folds contain hyaluronic acid, which tissue concentration may vary according to hormone action.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  the objective of this study is to analyze hyaluronic acid concentration in the vocal folds during estral and gravidic-puerperal cycles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental study. 40 adult rats were divided into two groups. In the first group we used 20 rats to establish the concentration of hyaluronic acid during the estral cycle and in the second group, 20 animals were submitted to the same procedure but during the gravidic-puerperal cycle.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Variations in hyaluronic acid concentration was not observed during the estral cycle. In the gravidic puerperal cycle group, an increase in hyaluronic acid concentration was observed in the puerperal subgroup. Comparing the two groups of estral and gravidic-puerperal cycles, no difference was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In comparing all subgroups of estral and gravidic-puerperal cycles, an increase in hyaluronic acid concentration was noticed only in the puerperal phase.
authors.affiliation: Outpatient Clinic of Larynx and Voice, UNIFESP-EPM.
authors.forename: José Eduardo de Sá
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Pedroso
authors.forename: Osíris Camponês do
authors.initials: OC
authors.lastname: Brasil
authors.forename: João Roberto Maciel
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.forename: Helena Bociane
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Nader
authors.forename: Manuel de Jesus
authors.initials: Mde J
authors.lastname: Simões
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D030762:Estrous Cycle / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000032:analysis*; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D006820:Hyaluronic Acid