Robinson D, Register T C, Carter L R
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157, USA.
Neurourol Urodyn. 1998;17(3):241-7. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1520-6777(1998)17:3<241::aid-nau8>3.0.co;2-d.
The aim of this study was to determine cytosolic estrogen receptor content of the cynomolgus monkey bladder and vagina after hormone replacement therapy. Animals maintained without hormone therapy for 2 years after surgical menopause were randomized to receive either no hormones (OVX), conjugated equine estrogens (CEE), or estrogen/medroxyprogesterone acetate (CEE + MPA) treatment for 30 months. Estrogen receptor content of bladder and vagina cytosolic extracts was determined using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Estrogen receptors were uniformly present, although the vaginal concentration was 100-fold greater than in the bladder. Estrogen and combination therapy significantly decreased cytosolic receptor content in both sites compared with controls. The cynomolgus urogenital tract remains estrogen sensitive 2 years after surgical menopause. Prolonged exposure to estrogens decreases cytosolic estrogen receptor content in a manner similar to that described for short-term estrogen therapy. These results suggest that the effects of hormone replacement on the urinary tract can be identified even if initiated years after menopause.
