OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of estrogen on renal function of pregnant rabbits with hemorrhagic shock.

METHODSForty pregnant New Zealand white rabbits were randomized into 4 groups, namely normal control group (NG group, with anesthesia only), estrogen group (E2 group, with additional estrogen injection at 60 min), estrogen-hemorrhagic shock (E2SG) group and fructose-hemorrhagic shock (FSG) group. In the latter two groups, the rabbits were subjected to phlebotomy for 15 min to induce hemorrhagic shock with a blood pressure of 40 mmHg; after maintenance of the pressure for 45 min, intravenous injections of estrogen or fructose were given before resuscitation 20 min later. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) concentration were measured at different time points and renal pathology of the rabbits was observed.

RESULTSNo significant differences were founding serum BUN and Cr levels between NG and E2G groups during the experiment. In FSG and E2SG groups, serum BUN level began to increase at 80 min after hemorrhagic shock and was significantly higher in FSG group (P<0.05); serum Cr level increased progressively from the start of the experiment and began to decrease at 60 min, with a faster rate of reduction in E2SG group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONEstrogen can effectively lower serum BUN and Cr levels and ameliorate renal pathologies to offer protective effect in pregnant rabbits against hemorrhagic shock.