Hormonal Oscillations During the Estrous Cycle Influence the Morphophysiology of the Gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) Female Prostate (Skene Paraurethral Glands)1

Abstract

The hormonal oscillations that occur during the female reproductive cycle influence the morphophysiology of several organs of the reproductive system. The female prostate is a functional organ sensitive to the action of steroidal hormones, but it is not known whether the hormonal oscillations that occur during the reproductive cycle can alter the biology of this gland. Thus, the present work aims to evaluate the morphofunctional aspects of the female prostate during the gerbil estrous cycle. For this purpose, morphological, morphometric-stereological, serological, and immunocytochemical analyses were carried out. The results of the present study show that the hormonal oscillations that occurred during the estrous cycle altered both the structure and functionality of the gerbil female prostate. These alterations include increased prostatic growth and augmented secretory activity during the proestrus and estrus phases and a gradual decrease of the secretory activity and glandular development in the diestrus I and II phases. These cyclical oscillations appear to be determined by the hormonal peaks of estrogen in diestrus II and by the high levels of progesterone during estrus, since the androgen levels remained constant throughout the estrous cycle.

Variations of Serum Estradiol and Progesterone Levels during Consecutive Reproductive States in Mongolian Gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)

“…This difference may be caused by the difference in ovulation time. Contrary to the results of this study, other work has indicated that serum E2 reaches a peak at diestrus while serum P4 peaks at estrus in Mongolian gerbils [6]. although the measurement method used was the same, the standard error of E2 and P4 peak values high, and it was not stated whether or not the female gerbils were virgins.…”

“…We can further understand the reproductive characteristics of Mongolian gerbils through studies -Original-of reproductive hormones. However, there are only a few reports on the secretion patterns of reproductive hormones during different reproductive states in Mongolian gerbils [6,11,12,22,24]. The aims of this study were, first, to confirm the variations of serum estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) levels in different reproductive states of Mongolian gerbils and to analyze the differences of E2 and P4 patterns between Mongolian gerbils and other rodents such as rats and mice; second, to analyze the differences in variations of E2 and P4 levels in primiparous and multiparous gerbils; and third, to analyze the relationships between the two hormone levels and the reproductive states of Mongolian gerbils.…”

Changes in Serum PSA During Normal Menstrual Cycle

“…1). Earlier studies have reported detectable PSA in 50 % non pregnant females [2,15,23]. Filella et al [16] used ultrasensitive Fluoro-immunometric assay (detection limit of 0.004 lg/l) detected the presence of PSA in 58 % of the sera tested.…”

“…Similar findings were reported by Zarghami et al [11] who found highest PSA concentrations during mid to late follicular phase and a difference of 10-12 days between PSA and progesterone peak. Studies in other mammals have also indicated that PSA secretion is higher in follicular phase and the authors opined that these cyclical changes in PSA are probably determined by cyclic variations in estradiol and progesterone [23].…”

Variations in Serum Gonadotropin and Prolactin Levels during Consecutive Reproductive States in Mongolian Gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus)

“…We have previously reported the changes in the levels of estradiol and progesterone during the different reproductive states in Mongolian gerbils [15]. However, data on the secretion patterns of reproductive hormones in Mongolian gerbils during different reproductive states remain insufficient [4,9,10,25,27]. To our knowledge, this is the first study of the secretion patterns of gonadotropin and prolactin during consecutive reproductive states in Mongolian gerbils, and it therefore contributes to a detailed understanding of their reproductive physiology.…”