title: Testosterone Induces Increase in Aquaporin (AQP)-1, 5, and 7 Expressions in the Uteri of Ovariectomized Rats.
abstract: Testosterone has been reported to cause a decrease in uterine fluid volume in which this could involve the aquaporins (AQPs). This study aimed to investigate effect of testosterone on uterine AQP-1, 5, and 7 expressions in order to explain the reported reduction in uterine fluid volume under testosterone influence. Ovariectomized adult female rats received peanut oil, testosterone (1 mg/kg/day), estrogen (0.2 µg/kg/day), or combined estrogen plus testosterone for three consecutive days. Other groups received 3 days estrogen followed by 2 days either peanut oil or testosterone with or without flutamide or finasteride. A day after last injection, uteri were harvested, and the levels of AQP-1, 5, and 7 messenger RNA (mRNA) in uterine tissue homogenates were analyzed by real-time PCR (qPCR). Distributions of AQP-1, 5, and 7 proteins in uterus were observed by immunofluorescence. Levels of AQP-1 mRNA were elevated in rats receiving either estrogen or testosterone-only treatment; however, levels of AQP-5 and 7 mRNAs were elevated in rats receiving testosterone-only treatment. In rats pre-treated with estrogen, testosterone treatment resulted in higher AQP-1, 5, and 7 mRNA levels compared to vehicle treatment. Testosterone effects were antagonized by flutamide but not finasteride. Immunofluorescence study showed that AQP-1 was highly distributed in uterine lumenal epithelium following estrogen or testosterone-only treatment. However, AQP-5 and 7 distributions were high in uterine lumenal epithelium following testosterone-only treatment. Testosterone-induced up-regulation of AQP-1, 5, and 7 expressions in uterus could explain the observed reduction in uterine fluid volume as reported under this condition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. naguib.salleh@yahoo.com.my.
authors.forename: Naguib
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Salleh
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Helmy Mohd
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Mokhtar
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Normadiah M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Kassim
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Nelli
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Giribabu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D051398:Aquaporin 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051402:Aquaporin 5 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D020346:Aquaporins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D010052:Ovariectomy; D021381:Protein Transport; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C491926:Aqp7 protein, rat; D051402:Aquaporin 5; D020346:Aquaporins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051398:Aquaporin 1; D013739:Testosterone
keywords: AQP 1, 5, 7; Testosterone; Uterine fluid