Offspring Effects of Impaired Aldosterone Secretion During Pregnancy in the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat (SHR) and the Wistar-Kyoto Rat (WKY)
Location
CSU 203
Start Date
24-4-2007 8:15 AM
End Date
24-4-2007 9:45 AM
Student's Major
Biological Sciences
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, aldosterone and corticosterone. 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 spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). Corticosterone, secreted by the second layer of the cortex, has also been deemed necessary in the development of hypertension in the SHR. Studies on the roles of these hormones in hypertension have traditionally focused on complete removal of the adrenal glands, or receptor blocking agents. The removal of one adrenal gland and the freezing of the outer layer of the remaining gland has advantages over these previously used methods. Adrenalectomy, (removal of both adrenal glands), completely eliminates all adrenal hormones. Mineralocorticoid receptor blocking agents, sueh as spironolactone, are nonspecific, and produce undesirable side effects. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the long term effects of reduced adrenal hormones in the pregnant SHR and WKY on subsequent on offspring. At 8 weeks of age, females underwent 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 5-21 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) and the Wistar-Kyoto Rat (WKY)
CSU 203
The adrenal gland produces two major hormones, aldosterone and corticosterone. 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 spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). Corticosterone, secreted by the second layer of the cortex, has also been deemed necessary in the development of hypertension in the SHR. Studies on the roles of these hormones in hypertension have traditionally focused on complete removal of the adrenal glands, or receptor blocking agents. The removal of one adrenal gland and the freezing of the outer layer of the remaining gland has advantages over these previously used methods. Adrenalectomy, (removal of both adrenal glands), completely eliminates all adrenal hormones. Mineralocorticoid receptor blocking agents, sueh as spironolactone, are nonspecific, and produce undesirable side effects. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the long term effects of reduced adrenal hormones in the pregnant SHR and WKY on subsequent on offspring. At 8 weeks of age, females underwent 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 5-21 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
Moore, Erica. "Offspring Effects of Impaired Aldosterone Secretion During Pregnancy in the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat (SHR) and the Wistar-Kyoto Rat (WKY)." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 24, 2007.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2007/oral-session-11/3
