A single early postnatal estradiol injection affects morphology and gene expression of the ovary and parametrial adipose tissue in adult female rats

Camilla Alexanderson, Elisabet Stener-Victorin, Joel Kullberg, Staffan Nilsson, Max Levin, Stefan Cajander, Lars Lönn, Malin Lönn, Agneta Holmäng, Camilla Alexanderson, Elisabet Stener-Victorin, Joel Kullberg, Staffan Nilsson, Max Levin, Stefan Cajander, Lars Lönn, Malin Lönn, Agneta Holmäng

    16 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Events during early life can affect reproductive and metabolic functions in adulthood. We evaluated the programming effects of a single early postnatal estradiol injection (within 3. h after birth) in female rats. We assessed ovarian and parametrial adipose tissue morphology, evaluated gene expression related to follicular development and adipose tissue metabolism, and developed a non-invasive volumetric estimation of parametrial adipose tissue by magnetic resonance imaging. Estradiol reduced ovarian weight, increased antral follicle size and number of atretic antral follicles, and decreased theca interna thickness in atretic antral follicles. Adult estradiol-injected rats also had malformed vaginal openings and lacked corpora lutea, confirming anovulation. Estradiol markedly reduced parametrial adipose tissue mass. Adipocyte size was unchanged, suggesting reduced adipocyte number. Parametrial adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase activity was increased. In ovaries, estradiol increased mRNA expression of adiponectin, complement component 3, estrogen receptor α, and glucose transporter 3 and 4; in parametrial adipose tissue, expression of complement component 3 was increased, expression of estrogen receptor α was decreased, and expression of leptin, lipoprotein lipase, and hormone-sensitive lipase was unaffected. These findings suggest that early postnatal estradiol exposure of female rats result in long-lasting effects on the ovary and parametrial adipose tissue at adult age.

    Original languageEnglish
    JournalJournal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
    Volume122
    Issue number1-3
    Pages (from-to)82-90
    Number of pages9
    ISSN0960-0760
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2010

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