title: Immunohistochemical analysis of estrogen receptors in the urethra of sexually intact, ovariectomized, and estrogen-substituted ovariectomized sheep.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Urinary incontinence is prevalent in postmenopausal women and spayed dogs and is associated with decreased estrogen plasma concentrations. The objective of the study was to investigate the expression of estrogen receptors (ER) in the urethra of sexually intact, ovariectomized, and estrogen-substituted ovariectomized ewes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Paraffin cross-sections from each urethral quarter were immunohistochemically analyzed. The reactivity of ER was semiquantitatively assessed employing an immunoreactive score (IRS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In contrast to ERβ, ERα was identified in all urethral compartments; the highest IRS was detected in the epithelium of the distal urethra. The immunoreactivity and distribution of ERα did not differ among groups. Highly significant differences in ERα concentrations were observed between consecutive urethral quarters in each group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neither ovariectomy nor ovariectomy and estrogen substitution seem to have a significant effect on overall urethral ERα concentration. The results demonstrate that the precise location of the investigated urethral part is crucial to the reliable evaluation or possible comparison of ERα concentrations.
authors: Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland, augsbhr@vetanat.uzh.ch.
authors: Heinz R
authors: HR
authors: Augsburger
authors: Constanze
authors: C
authors: Führer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D004967:Estrogens; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D010052:Ovariectomy; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012756:Sheep; D014521:Urethra / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen