Offspring Effects of Impaired Aldosterone Secretion During Pregnancy in the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat (SHR)

Location

CSU North Ballroom

Start Date

24-4-2006 1:30 PM

End Date

24-4-2006 3:30 PM

Student's Major

Biological Sciences

Student's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Mentor's Name

Penny Knoblich

Mentor's Department

Biological Sciences

Mentor's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Description

The adrenal gland produces two major hormones believed to be involved in hypertension. Aldosterone is secreted from the zona glomerulosa cells of the outer layer of the adrenal cortex. Aldosterone acts on the kidney's tubules to increase sodium reabsorption, thus raising total body sodium, blood volume, and blood pressure. Aldosterone has been implicated in the development of hypertension in humans and in animal models, such as the development of spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR), a rat model of hypertension. Corticosterone, a hormone secreted by the second layer of the adrenal gland, has also been deemed necessary in the development of hypertension in the SHR. The removal of one adrenal gland and the freezing of the outer layer of the remaining adrenal cortex have advantages over previously used methods, such as adrenalectomy or pharmacological blocking agents. Adrenalectomy completely eliminates all adrenal hormones. Mineralocorticoid receptor blocking agents, such as spironolactone, are non specific, and produce undesirable side effects. The purpose of the present study was to investigate reduced adrenal hormone levels in the pregnant SHR as to the long term effects on the offspring growth and blood pressure. At 8 weeks of age, females had either the adrenal-freezing surgery, or the sham surgery, and were allowed 7-10 days to recover. Rats were mated and allowed to raise the litters undisturbed. From 5-25 weeks of age, two male, and two female offspring from each litter were subjected to biweekly measurements of weight, systolic blood pressure, and heart rate.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS
 
Apr 24th, 1:30 PM Apr 24th, 3:30 PM

Offspring Effects of Impaired Aldosterone Secretion During Pregnancy in the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat (SHR)

CSU North Ballroom

The adrenal gland produces two major hormones believed to be involved in hypertension. Aldosterone is secreted from the zona glomerulosa cells of the outer layer of the adrenal cortex. Aldosterone acts on the kidney's tubules to increase sodium reabsorption, thus raising total body sodium, blood volume, and blood pressure. Aldosterone has been implicated in the development of hypertension in humans and in animal models, such as the development of spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR), a rat model of hypertension. Corticosterone, a hormone secreted by the second layer of the adrenal gland, has also been deemed necessary in the development of hypertension in the SHR. The removal of one adrenal gland and the freezing of the outer layer of the remaining adrenal cortex have advantages over previously used methods, such as adrenalectomy or pharmacological blocking agents. Adrenalectomy completely eliminates all adrenal hormones. Mineralocorticoid receptor blocking agents, such as spironolactone, are non specific, and produce undesirable side effects. The purpose of the present study was to investigate reduced adrenal hormone levels in the pregnant SHR as to the long term effects on the offspring growth and blood pressure. At 8 weeks of age, females had either the adrenal-freezing surgery, or the sham surgery, and were allowed 7-10 days to recover. Rats were mated and allowed to raise the litters undisturbed. From 5-25 weeks of age, two male, and two female offspring from each litter were subjected to biweekly measurements of weight, systolic blood pressure, and heart rate.

Recommended Citation

Sticha, Benjamin and Lauren Haverstock. "Offspring Effects of Impaired Aldosterone Secretion During Pregnancy in the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat (SHR)." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 24, 2006.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2006/poster-session-B/9