Modulation of rat vaginal blood flow and estrogen receptor by estradiol.

PURPOSE: The effects of subphysiological and physiological levels of estradiol on vaginal blood flow and estrogen receptor were investigated.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Intact or ovariectomized female Sprague-Dawley rats were used. Two weeks after surgery rats were infused with vehicle (polyethyleneglycol), or estradiol at subphysiological (5 microg daily) or physiological (15 microg daily) concentrations for 14 days using osmotic pumps. Changes in vaginal blood flow elicited by pelvic nerve stimulation were assessed by laser Doppler flowmetry. Total levels of functional estrogen receptor were determined by radioligand binding and Western blot analyses were used to assess estrogen receptor (ER) alpha protein.
RESULTS: Mean plasma estradiol concentration +/- SEM decreased by 63% in the vehicle group (intact 36.5 +/- 10.3 pg/ml). The subphysiological and physiological estradiol groups had plasma levels that were 55% and 83% of the intact group, respectively. Uterine and vaginal wet weight, and vaginal blood flow were significantly decreased in the vehicle group and normalized by physiological levels of estradiol. However, vaginal blood flow was significantly greater in the subphysiological estradiol group compared to intact animals. Specific binding of [H]estradiol in vaginal tissue extracts from intact rats was 0.51 fmol/mg protein and it was increased 30-fold in the vehicle group. ER binding in vaginal tissue in the physiological estradiol group decreased to levels that were comparable to those in intact animals, whereas estrogen receptor binding remained elevated in the subphysiological estradiol group. These changes were paralleled by ERalpha protein levels.
CONCLUSIONS: Estradiol is crucial for maintaining optimal vaginal blood flow in the rat. Lower levels of plasma estradiol trigger compensatory ERalpha up-regulation.