The effect of ovariectomy on biomarkers of urogenital ageing in old versus young adult rats

• Published in: International Urogynecology Journal 2007-09, Vol.18 (9), p.1077-1085
• Main Authors: Rizk, Diaa E. E., Fahim, Mohamed A., Hassan, Hazem A., Al-Marzouqi, Ahmed H., Ramadan, Gaber A., Al-Kedrah, Soha S., Al-Ghafri, Layla S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomarkers; Proteins; Rodents
• ISSN: 0937-3462; 1433-3023
• DOI: 10.1007/s00192-006-0278-4

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of ageing and ovariectomy on biomarkers of urogenital ageing in old and young-adult rats. Fisher 344 rats (18- and 3-months-old, n=6×2) underwent ovariectomy. Age-matched sham animals received no intervention (n=6×2). One month later, biomarkers of urogenital ageing were evaluated (light microscopic count of urethral and anal canal submucosal blood vessels, Western blot analysis of urethral, and anal canal submucosal collagen I and III and cytoplasmic p27^sup kip1^ expression in the striated urethral and anal sphincters and levator ani and gel electrophoresis of isomyosin I proportion in these muscles) and compared in all groups (n=24). All biomarkers of urogenital ageing studied were significantly increased in old compared to young-adult sham rats. Ovariectomy significantly increased these changes further in old versus young-adult rats with either smaller or larger differential effect than ageing compared to young-adult sham animals. Ovariectomy significantly exacerbates normative urogenital ageing changes in rats.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]