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.
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