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eNeurobiología - Revista electrónica

Universidad Veracruzana

  • Xalapa, Ver,
  • Español / Inglés

Artificial vagino-cervical stimulation modifies the frequency of uterine contractions during the estrous cycle of the female rat

 

 

Carrasco-García AA1, Camacho MA2, Pacheco P2, Carrillo P2, Coria-Avila GA3, *Paredes-Ramos P1

1Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Veracruzana, Veracruz, Veracruz, México. 2Instituto de Neuroetología, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Veracruz. México. 3Centro de Investigaciones Cerebrales, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Veracruz, México

 

Abstract

Uterine contractions (UC) can participate in important reproductive processes such as sperm transport and parturition. Evidence indicates that UC can be induced by hormones and vaginocervical-stimulation (VCS) via neuroendocrine pathways, including the activity of the pituitary and reproductive glands. The frequency of UC was evaluated after VCS at different phases of the estrous cycle (EC) in adult female rats. Thirty-six female rats were anesthetized, and the uterine horns were exposed via abdominal incision. VCS included vaginocervical intromissions (VCI) and vaginal distention via insertion of a silicon plug to mimic the effects of the post-ejaculatory sperm plug. The number of UC was measured 1) before and after VCI, 2) during the vaginal distention by the silicon plug and after it was removed. The effect of VCS on the amount of UC during different stages of the rat EC was compared. Results indicated that the frequency of baseline UC was higher during late-proestrus and lower during diestrus. In addition, intromissions resulted in higher uterine activity. Interestingly, VCS increased the number of contractions during all phases of the EC, except during diestrus. The role of hormones and sexual stimulation on UC, and the potential implication in reproductive processes in females are discussed.

Keywords: Vaginocervical stimulation, Uterine contractions, Estrous cycle, Female rat.

 

*Corresponding Author at: Dr. Pedro Paredes-Ramos. Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Veracruzana. Miguel A. de Quevedo esquina Yañez S/N, C. P 91710. Veracruz, Veracruz. México. Phone +52 (229) 9342075, ext. 24132, Fax. +52 (229) 9344053. E-mail: pparedes@uv.mx

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