Abstract
Purpose: :
To characterize androgen and estrogen–alpha receptors expression in lacrimal gland and uterus under influence of sexual hormones in rats.
Methods: :
Sixteen female Wistar rats, aged 18–22 weeks, were assigned into four groups according to the estrous cycle stage as determined by vaginal cytology. Blood samples were collected to measure estradiol, progesterone, prolactin, and testosterone by radioimmunoassay. Total RNA were extracted from lacrimal gland and uterus for semi–quantitative RT–PCR procedures. Correlation between hormone levels and androgen receptor or estrogen–alpha receptor expression were analyzed statistically.
Results: :
Androgen receptor expression in rat lacrimal gland and estradiol showed a moderate negative correlation (r = –0.555; P = 0.032), but not in uterus (r=–0.168, P=0.549). In contrast, estrogen–alpha receptor expression in uterus and testosterone levels showed a moderate negative correlation (r = –0.534; P = 0.049), but not in lacrimal gland (r = –0.487, P = 0.077). No other hormones had correlation with the receptors expression.
Conclusions: :
This study demonstrates a spatial–temporal expression of androgen receptor in lacrimal gland; it also suggests a potential influence of estrogen in the androgen receptor function in lacrimal gland along the rat estrous cycle.
Keywords: lacrimal gland • receptors • gene/expression