Effects of Water Restriction on Reproductive Function in Female Rats

Abstract

Reproductive function and sexual behavior were examined in female rats subjected to a restricted watering schedule. In 4- or 5-day cycling rats, water was supplied only from 09.00 to 10.00 h each day for a minimum of 1 month. A tendency towards prolonged estrous cycles was noted, with 5-day cycles predominating, regardless of the pretreatment cyclical pattern. Water-restricted 5-day rats became sexually receptive earlier on the day of proestrus than did controls. Barbiturate was more effective in blocking ovulation and the plasma LH concentration was lower at 16.00 h on the day of proestrus following water restriction. Plasma corticosterone levels were elevated just prior to watering. Immature females placed on the same restricted watering schedule as the adults showed no significant difference in age at vaginal opening, a delay in the appearance of the first estrus, and significantly more 5-day cycles than controls. It is suggested that the changes observed are related to alterations in adrenocortical activity mediated by the action of adrenal progesterone and/or corticosteroids on gonadotropin secretion and sexual behavior.

Adrenal-Gonadal Relations and Fertility: The Effects of Repeated Stress upon the Adrenal Rhythm

“…Smith et al [1973] have also observed a correlation between disturb ances in adrenocortical activity induced by water deprivation in rats and reproductive function. Armstrong and Kennedy [1972] have summarized the recent literature on adrenal-gonadal interactions and fertility and have proposed that the adrenal cortex secretes hormones that can adjust the timing of the ovulatory surge of gonadotrophin during proestrus in the rat.…”

Influence of Corticosterone on the Response to Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone in Rats

“…Al terations in the diurnal rhythm of corticosterone secretion are associated with changes in reproductive cycles in ro dents. Restricting water availability to a short period of time each day resulted in an abnormal rise in plasma corticoste rone just prior to the watering period in female rats [1,15,32], These changes in corticosterone secretion were associat ed with a lengthening of the estrous cycle from 4 to 5 days, increased susceptibility to barbiturate blockade of ovula tion, a tendency toward a more erratic pattern of LH secre tion and a prolongation of the proestrous surge of prolactin …”