Effect of hormone replacement and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) on the biomechanics and biochemistry of pelvic support ligaments in the cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis).
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of selective estrogen receptor modulators and ethinyl estradiol on the biomechanical and biochemical properties of the uterosacral and round ligaments in the monkey model of menopause.


METHODS
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study on 11 female macaque monkeys. Ovariectomized monkeys received 12 weeks of placebo, raloxifene, tamoxifen, or ethinyl estradiol. Biomechanical step-strain testing and real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed on the uterosacral and round ligaments.


RESULTS
Tamoxifen and raloxifene uterosacrals expressed differing collagen I/III receptor density ratios, but both selective estrogen receptor modulators showed decreased tensile stiffness compared to ethinyl estradiol and controls.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings support a possible effect of selective estrogen receptor modulators on biomechanical and biochemical properties of uterosacrals. This may play a role in pelvic organ prolapse.
Shahryarinejad
Azin
A
Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keck School of Medicine at USC, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Gardner
Thomas R
TR
Cline
J Mark
JM
Levine
William N
WN
Bunting
Haley A
HA
Brodman
Michael D
MD
Ascher-Walsh
Charles J
CJ
Scotti
Richard J
RJ
Vardy
Michael D
MD
D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D008022:Ligaments / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D010052:Ovariectomy; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol