HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal My Folders Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Lanlua, P. Articles by Yallampalli, C. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Lanlua, P. Articles by Yallampalli, C. Agricola Articles by Lanlua, P. Articles by Yallampalli, C.

Gestational Changes in Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide, Nerve Growth Factor, and Its Receptors in Rat Dorsal Root Ganglia¹

^a Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and ^b Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555

ABSTRACT

In dorsal root ganglia (DRG) cell cultures, levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) are increased in the presence of ovarian hormones and nerve growth factor (NGF). In addition, injection of ovariectomized rats with ovarian hormones led to an increase in levels of two NGF receptors, TrkA and p75^NTR, in DRG. Thus, we hypothesized that increased levels of ovarian hormones during pregnancy may elevate the synthesis of CGRP and NGF receptors in the DRG. DRG harvested from rats on specific days of pregnancy, on Day 2 postpartum, and after ovariectomy were subjected to radioimmunoassay, Western blot analysis, and NGF immunoassay to determine levels of CGRP, TrkA and p75^NTR, and NGF, respectively. CGRP levels in rat DRG were significantly higher during pregnancy than at Day 2 postpartum or in ovariectomized rats. Levels of both TrkA and p75^NTR in DRG increased during pregnancy and remained elevated at Day 2 postpartum, but CGRP levels declined. Levels of NGF reached a statistically significant peak at Day 18 of gestation, and were not significantly reduced at Day 2 postpartum. Increased levels of ovarian steroid hormones during pregnancy may be involved in the synthesis of CGRP, however, the postpartum decreases in CGRP synthesis appear to be unrelated to NGF and its receptors.

FOOTNOTES

First decision: 22 May 2001.

¹ Supported in part by the National Institutes of Health through grants HL 58144 and HD 30273.

² Correspondence: Chandrasekhar Yallampalli, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Route 1062, Galveston, TX 77555-1062. FAX: 409 747 0475; chyallam{at}utmb.edu

This article has been cited by other articles:

				N. Shimozawa, K. Okajima, and N. Harada Estrogen and isoflavone attenuate stress-induced gastric mucosal injury by inhibiting decreases in gastric tissue levels of CGRP in ovariectomized rats Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol, February 1, 2007; 292(2): G615 - G619. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. M. Schmitt, K. Gohil, and M. P. Kaufman Spinal estrogen attenuates the exercise pressor reflex but has little effect on the expression of genes regulating neurotransmitters in the dorsal root ganglia J Appl Physiol, March 1, 2006; 100(3): 958 - 964. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Lanlua, R.D. Bukoski, S.J. Wimalawansa, and C. Yallampalli Effects of Pregnancy and Female Sex Steroid Hormones on Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Content of Mesenteric Artery in Rats Biol Reprod, November 1, 2002; 67(5): 1430 - 1434. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]