Correlation of androgen receptors, aromatase, and 5-alpha reductase in the human vagina with menopausal status.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether aromatase and 5alpha-reductase mRNAs are expressed in human vagina and to evaluate the presence of androgen receptors in human vaginal tissue based on age and menopausal status.
DESIGN: Prospective study.
SETTING: Specimens obtained from clinical renal urology practice. PATIENT(S): Premenopausal and postmenopausal women undergoing surgery for prolapse or incontinence. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Expression of aromatase and 5alpha-reductase type 1 and 2 mRNAs was evidenced by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the density of androgen receptors was measured by semiquantitative immunohistochemistry. RESULT(S): The mRNAs for aromatase and 5alpha-reductase isotypes 1 and 2 were detected in vaginal specimens. Androgen receptors were present in vaginal mucosa, submucosa, stroma, smooth muscle, and vascular endothelium. Expression was significantly greater in vaginal submucosa. A negative correlation existed between age and androgen receptor density. CONCLUSION(S): Expression of genes encoding for enzymes involved in testosterone metabolism in the human vagina, as well as androgen receptor location, density, and changes with menopausal status, suggests that androgens may play a role in regulating vaginal smooth muscle and vaginal blood flow.