OBJECTIVEObserving the effect of phenolic acids from Arnebia euchroma assist mifepristone in anti-early pregnancy of SD rattus norvegicus.

METHODFeed the SD rattus norvegicus with phenolic acids from A. euchroma during the 7 th to 9 th day, and then we observe the restaining rate of pregnancy. At the same time, we determine the progesterone level in blood serum in the ways of radioimmunoassay.

RESULT720 g x kg(-1) enolic aids from A. euchroma can markedly increase the restaining rate of pregnancy (P < 0.05) than that only mifepristone dose (8.0 g x kg(-1)). In addition, the number of everage still bith increase, however, to the pogesterone level in blood serum. It has little effect.

CONCLUSIONThe effect of phenolic acids from A. euchroma assist mifepristone in anti-early pregnancy of SD rattus norvegicus is clear, and it dosen't work in the ways of decreasing the pogesterone level.

Abortifacient Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Boraginaceae ; chemistry ; Female ; Hydroxybenzoates ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mifepristone ; pharmacology ; Pregnancy ; drug effects ; Progesterone ; blood ; Radioimmunoassay ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo compare the effects and mechanisms of Bushen Antai Recipe (BAR) and its different compositions, Bushen Recipe (BSR, the Shen-nourishing part) and Huoxue Recipe (HXR, the blood-activating part) on the endometrial receptivity in mice with blastocyst implantation dysfunction (BID).

METHODSModel mice of BID induced by indomethacin were treated respectively with BAR, BSR and HXR from the first day of pregnancy, and killed on day 5 or 6. Samples of their serum and uterine were collected for detecting serum estradiol (E2), progesterone (P) contents using radioimmunoassay; and endometrial expression levels of their receptors, ER and PR, using immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSSerum levels of E2 and P, and endometrial expression of ER and PR increased significantly on day 6 in mice after treated by BAR, but in those treated by BSR and HXR, the improvements were significantly lesser.

CONCLUSIONBAR, by combined application of both Shen-nourishing and blood-activating methods, could impact E2, P, ER and PR to improve the endometrial receptivity to a higher extent in BID mice so as to promote embryo implantation.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Embryo Implantation ; drug effects ; Endometrium ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Estradiol ; blood ; Female ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Pregnancy ; Progesterone ; blood ; Receptors, Estrogen ; metabolism ; Receptors, Progesterone ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect and explore the mechanism of Bushen Antai Recipe (BAR) on pregnancy rate and number of implantation site in blastocyst implantation dysfunction (BID) mice induced by indomethacin.

METHODSPregnant mice were divided into 3 groups randomly: the normal group, the model group and the BAR group. Tap water was given orally to the rats in the normal and model groups, and BAR to the rats in the BAR group from the first day of pregnancy for 5 or 8 days; on the 3rd and 4th day dissolvent was injected subcutaneously twice per day in the normal group, while indomethacin (4.33 mg/kg) was injected subcutaneously twice per day in the other two groups to establish implantation dysfunction model; serum estrogen (E) and progesterone (P4) levels were detected on the 5th and 8th day; the pregnancy rate and number of implanted site was observed and the receptors of E and P4 in endometrium of uterus were examined by immunohistochemistry on the 8th day.

RESULTSThe pregnancy rate and number of implanted site was 27.3% and 5.3 +/- 0.7 respectively in the model group, significantly lower than those in the normal group (90.9%, 13.3 +/- 2.8), and the BAR group (72.7%, 10.7 +/- 2.2, P < 0.05). Serum E level was higher in the BAR group than that in the model group on the 5th and 8th day, and even higher than that in the normal group on the 8th day; serum P4 level was lower in the model and BAR groups than that in the normal group on the 5th day (P < 0.01), but higher in the BAR group than that in the model group on the 8th day. Immunohistochemical observation showed that expressions of E and P4 receptor increased remarkably in the BAR group than those in the model group.

CONCLUSIONBAR increases the pregnancy rate and number of implanted site of indomethacrne induced BID mice through regulating E and P4 levels and enhancing the expressions of their receptors in the endometrium.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Embryo Implantation ; drug effects ; Embryo Implantation, Delayed ; drug effects ; Estrogens ; blood ; Female ; Indomethacin ; Mice ; Pregnancy ; Progesterone ; blood ; Random Allocation

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of progesterone on matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) expression in neonatal rat brain after hypoxic-ischemia.

METHODSFollowed the hypoxic-ischemia of neonatal rat brain, Evans blue (EB) staining and transmission electron microscopy were used to detect the blood-brain barrier pathological changes on permeability. MMP-3 protein expression in cerebral cortex was measured with Western blot.

RESULTSTransmission electron microscopy results showed that the blood brain barrier in hypoxic-ischemic group changed significantly compare to progesterone group. EB staining results suggested that the blood-brain barrier permeability of hypoxic-ischemic group was significantly increased compared to sham-operated group (P < 0.01). The blood-brain barrier permeability in progesterone group was also decreased in comparison to that of hypoxic-ischemic group (P < 0.05). Western blot image analysis results indicated that MMP-3 protein expression in the hypoxic-ischemic group increased significantly than that in sham-operated group (P < 0.01), and the progesterone group was decreased significantly than that in hypoxic-ischemic group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONProgesterone may reduce the blood-brain barrier damage by reducing MMP-3 expression. This might be one of the protective mechanisms in the hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; physiopathology ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 ; metabolism ; Progesterone ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo study the mechanism of warm-hot nature Chinese drugs (WHNCD) for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis (PBCRBS) for intervening model rats of cold coagulation and blood stasis syndrome (CCBSS).

METHODSCCBSS rat model was set up in outbred SD rats using ice water immersion method. Totally 300 successfully modeled CCBSS rats were randomly divided into 5 groups according to the principle of balance weight, 60 in each group. Contents of triothyrone (T3), tetraiodothyroine (T4), progesterone (P), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and noradrenalin (NE) were paralleledly detected in all groups. Then rats in each group were subdivided into 6 subgroups as the model group, the curcuma group, the Ligsticum Chuanxiong group, the safflower group, the Rhizoma Corydalis group, and the Olibanumg group. Besides, 5 normal control groups were set up for 5 indices, 50 rats in total. We need 70 rats (7 groups) to finish observing 1 index, 350 rats in total for 5 indices. Except those in the model group and the normal control group, rats were administered with corresponding decoction at 20 g crude drugs/kg body weight by gastrogavage, 3 mL each time, once daily for 7 successive days. Equal volume of normal saline was given to rats in the normal control group and the model group. Contents of T3, T4, P, 5-HT, and NE were detected before treatment and 1 week after treatment.

RESULTSCompared with before treatment in the same group, T3 increased in the Ligsticum Chuanxiong group and the Olibanumg group, 5-HT increased in the Ligsticum Chuanxiong group, T4, NE, and P increased in all medicated groups (P < 0.05). Compared with the normal control group, contents of T3, T4, 5-HT, NE, and P in the model group decreased (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, contents of T3, T4, 5-HT, and NE increased in each medicated group (P < 0.05). There was statistical difference in contents of P between the Ligsticum Chuanxiong group and the Olibanumg group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSWHNCD for PBCRBS had regulatory roles in serum contents of T3, T4, P, and NE in modeled rats of CCBSS. They could promote the thyroid gland-gonadal axis function, enhance the function of the endocrine system, which might be one of the pharmacodynamic mechanism of WHNCD for PBCRBS in intervening CCBSS.

Animals ; Blood Coagulation ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Hot Temperature ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Norepinephrine ; metabolism ; Progesterone ; metabolism ; Rats ; Serotonin ; metabolism

Women often complain gut symptoms during pregnancy and the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. To investigate the relationship between ovarian steroids and the abnormal gut motility and sensitivity, the expressions of cholecystokinin (CCK), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and their receptors in stomach were studied in ovariectomized rats. Blood samples were collected for estradiol (E(2)), progesterone (P(4)), CCK and CGRP radioimmunoassay. Expression of CCK(A) receptor in fundus was assessed by Western blot and CGRP receptor was determined by (125)I-CGRP radioligand binding assay (RBA). The replacement therapy with estradiol benzoate (EB) could dose-dependently increase the plasma CCK level and the expression of gastric CCK(A) receptor (P<0.05 respectively). P(4) replacement therapy could stimulate the release of CGRP and increase the binding sites of CGRP receptors in stomach (P<0.05 respectively). The combined effect of EB and P(4) was to stimulate the release of CCK and CGRP, and to increase the expressions of gastric CCK(A) and CGRP receptors. These results indicate that EB could inhibit gastric emptying by increasing CCK secretion and CCK(A) receptor expression in ovariectomized rats. P(4) could increase gut sensitivity by up-regulating the release of CGRP and the activity of CGRP receptor. It could be deduced from these observations that CCK(A) and CGRP receptor antagonists could be used for female patients who suffer from gastrointestinal dysfunction closely related with the menstrual cycle, such as distension, satiety, bloating and abdominal pain.
Animals ; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide ; blood ; Cholecystokinin ; blood ; Estradiol ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; physiology ; Female ; Gastric Emptying ; drug effects ; physiology ; Ovariectomy ; Progesterone ; pharmacology ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide ; metabolism ; Receptors, Cholecystokinin ; metabolism ; Stomach ; metabolism ; physiology

The present experiment aims to examine the efficiency of estrus synchronization using progesterone and equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) and to look at luteal function. During the non-breeding and breeding season, 5 adult female Korean native goats were injected intramuscularly with 2.5 ml of physiological saline as the control. A progesterone impregnated intravaginal sponge was then kept in the same goats for 10 days followed, after a week, by an intramuscular injection of 500 IU eCG. Five adult female Nubian goats were mated with a fertile buck during the non-breeding season. During the non-breeding season 2 of the 5 goats showed a normal estrous cycle (ranging from 18 to 21 days) and 3 a short estrous cycle (ranging from 3 to 6 days). During the breeding season the equivalent figures were 1 and 2. The major axes of the corpus luteum (CL) were measured by means of calipers built into the ultrasonography system, and the concentrations of plasma progesterone (P(4)) were determined by double antibody radioimmunoassay. The mean major axes of the CL in goats showing the short cycle (6.1 +/- 0.5 mm) was significantly smaller than in those showing the normal cycle (8.9 +/- 0.5 mm; p < 0.01) and also the value of P4 in goats showing the short cycle (4.2 +/- 2.1 ng/ml) was significantly lower than for those showing the normal cycle (10.3 +/- 4.3 ng/ml; p < 0.05) at day 3 following ovulation. Three out of 5 Nubian goats became pregnant but only one goat carried to full term. The present experiment indicated that a combination of progesterone and eCG was effective in inducing estrus, although it resulted in a high incidence of short luteal lifespan. The low kidding rate and high incidence of embryonic loss may be due to the instability of the luteal lifespan.
Animals ; Chorionic Gonadotropin/*pharmacology ; Corpus Luteum/*drug effects/*physiology ; Estrus Synchronization/*drug effects/physiology ; Female ; Fertility/*drug effects ; Fertility Agents, Female/pharmacology ; Goats/*physiology ; Horses ; Pregnancy ; Progesterone/blood/*pharmacology

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of oxytocin infusion on corpus luteum (CL) function during early to mid-diestrus by measuring luteal size (LS) and luteal blood flow (LBF) along with plasma levels of progesterone (P4) and prostaglandin metabolites (13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2alpha, PGFM). On day (D) 7 of the estrus cycle (D1 = ovulation), seven cows received 100 IU of oxytocin (OXY) or placebo (PL) following a Latin square design. LS and LBF increased in both groups over time and no differences were observed between the groups. PGFM did not differ either within the groups over time or between the groups at any time point. P4 of the OXY group was higher compared to that of the the PL group 360 min after the infusion (p = 0.01) and tended to be higher at the time points 450 min, 48 h, and 72 h (all p = 0.08). Results from this study support the hypothesis that OXY is not directly involved in the mechanism(s) governing blood flow of the CL and has no remarkable effects either on luteal size or P4 and PGFM plasma levels. Further investigation is needed to elucidate the role of OXY in CL blood flow during early and late luteal phases.
Animals ; Cattle/*physiology ; Corpus Luteum/blood supply/*drug effects/secretion/ultrasonography ; Dinoprost/analogs & derivatives/blood ; Estrous Cycle/*drug effects/physiology ; Female ; Immunoenzyme Techniques/veterinary ; Organ Size/physiology ; Oxytocin/*pharmacology ; Progesterone/blood/*secretion ; Random Allocation ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color/veterinary

BACKGROUND: Estrogens act on estrogen receptors distributed in articular cartilages, synovial membrane, and ligaments, which are thought to be related with degenerative changes. Meanwhile, progesterone is known to have a weak anabolic action on bone formation This study evaluates the effects of estrogen and progesterone hormone on bone/cartilage turnover in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. METHODS: Thirty-five 7-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups and then ovariectomized bilaterally except the sham control group. The first and the second group acting as controls did not receive hormonal therapy, the third group received estrogen, the fourth group received progesterone, and the fifth group received combination of both hormones 10 weeks after surgery. Evaluations were done using the serum levels of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) for cartilage turnover, collagen type I C-telopeptide (CTX-1) and osteocalcin (OC) for bone turnover at 11, 15, 19 weeks after OVX and histology using the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) osteoarthritis (OA) cartilage histopathology assessment system. RESULTS: Significantly less cartilage degradation (decreased levels of COMP) was found in the combined hormone treated group in comparison with OVX group. Similarly, both hormonal treatment resulted in increased bone formation and decreased bone resorption i.e., a low overall bone turnover status (decrease in the serum OC and CTX-1 levels). CONCLUSIONS: Combined estrogen and progesterone therapy was found to be convincing in terms of reducing the severity of OA in this experimental model.
Animals ; Biological Markers/blood/metabolism ; Bone Remodeling/*drug effects ; Bone and Bones/chemistry/drug effects ; Cartilage/chemistry/*drug effects ; Collagen Type I/blood/metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Estrogens/*pharmacology ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins/blood/metabolism ; Female ; Glycoproteins/blood/metabolism ; Histocytochemistry ; Hormone Replacement Therapy/*methods ; Osteoarthritis/blood/*drug therapy ; Osteocalcin/blood/metabolism ; Ovariectomy ; Progesterone/*pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo study the estrogen-like action mechanism of Menoprogen on ovariectomized female rats.

METHODOvariectomized rat model (OVX) was established and estradiol (17beta-estradiol, E2) was used as positive control. The uterine coefficient and serum E2 level were determined after administration of Menoprogen for 2 weeks. The uterine vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), water channel protein (aquaporin, AQP), estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and the expression of proto-oncogenes (c-jun, c-fos) were observed by immunohistochemical method. Yeast two-hybrid assay was applied to detect the existence of components combining with ERalpha or ERbeta in Menoprogen.

RESULTBoth Menoprogen and E2 could significantly elevate the uterine coefficient of OVX rats, increase the level of serum E2 and up-regulate the expressions of VEGF, AQP2 as well as AQP5 in uterus. E2, not as E2 Menoprogen couldn't promote the expressions of ERalpha, PR, c-jun and c-fos in OVX rat uterus. And yeast two-hybrid assay showed no components combining with ERalpha or ERbeta in Menoprogen.

CONCLUSIONMenoprogen has estrogen-like effect, and can be used to treat menopause syndrome. The risk of estrogen-mediated endometrial cancer is low for this treatment because its mechanism is different from estrogen-like substances.

Animals ; Aquaporin 2 ; metabolism ; Aquaporin 5 ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Estradiol ; blood ; Estrogen Receptor alpha ; metabolism ; Estrogens ; pharmacology ; Female ; Ovariectomy ; adverse effects ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Progesterone ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism