scholarly journals Ovarian function and reproductive senescence in the rat: role of ovarian sympathetic innervation

Reproduction ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 153 (2) ◽  
pp. R59-R68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gonzalo Cruz ◽  
Daniela Fernandois ◽  
Alfonso H Paredes

Successful reproduction is the result of a myriad interactions in which the ovary and the ovarian follicular reserve play a fundamental role. At present, women who delay maternity until after 30 years of age have a decreased fertility rate due to various causes, including damaged follicles and a reduction in the reserve pool of follicles. Therefore, the period just prior to menopause, also known as the subfertile period, is important. The possibility of modulating the follicular pool and the health of follicles during this period to improve fertility is worth exploring. We have developed an animal model to study the ovarian ageing process during this subfertile period to understand the mechanisms responsible for reproductive senescence. In the rat model, we have shown that the sympathetic nervous system participates in regulating the follicular development during ovarian ageing. This article reviews the existing evidence on the presence and functional role of sympathetic nerve activity in regulating the follicular development during ovarian ageing, with a focus on the subfertile period.Free Spanish abstract: A Spanish translation of this abstract is freely available athttp://www.reproduction-online.org/content/153/2/R59/suppl/DC1.

1995 ◽  
Vol 133 (6) ◽  
pp. 723-728 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ettore C degli Uberti ◽  
Maria R Ambrosio ◽  
Marta Bondanelli ◽  
Giorgio Transforini ◽  
Alberto Valentini ◽  
...  

degli Uberti EC, Ambrosio MR, Bondanelli M, Trasforini G, Valentini A, Rossi R, Margutti A, Campo M. Effect of human galanin on the response of circulating catecholamines to hypoglycemia in man. Eur J Endocrinol 1995;133:723–8. ISSN 0804–4643 Human galanin (hGAL) is a neuropeptide with 30 amino acid residues that has been found in the peripheral and central nervous system, where it often co-exists with catecholamines. In order to clarify the possible role of hGAL in the regulation of sympathoadrenomedullary function, the effect of a 60 min infusion of hGAL (80 pmol·kg−1 · min−1) on plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine responses to insulin-induced hypoglycemia in nine healthy subjects was investigated. Human GAL administration significantly reduced both the release of basal norepinephrine and the response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia, whereas it attenuated the epinephrine response by 26%, with the hGAL-induced decrease in epinephrine release failing to achieve statistical significance. Human GAL significantly increased the heart rate in resting conditions and clearly exaggerated the heart rate response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia, whereas it had no effect on the blood pressure. We conclude that GAL receptor stimulation exerts an inhibitory effect on basal and insulin-induced hypoglycemia-stimulated release of norepinephrine. These findings provide further evidence that GAL may modulate sympathetic nerve activity in man but that it does not play an important role in the regulation of adrenal medullary function. Ettore C degli Uberti, Chair of Endocrinology, University of Ferrara, Via Savonarola 9, I-44100 Ferrara, Italy


Physiology ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 125-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Corti ◽  
Christian Binggeli ◽  
Isabella Sudano ◽  
Lukas E. Spieker ◽  
René R. Wenzel ◽  
...  

Sympathetic nerve activity is altered and is a prognostic factor for many cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, coronary syndromes, and congestive heart failure. Therefore, the selection of vasoactive drugs for the treatment of these diseases should also take into consideration their effects on the sympathetic nervous system.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document