Fetal Effects of Impaired Aldosterone Secretion During Pregnancy in the Rat
Location
CSU 253/4/5
Start Date
23-4-2007 1:00 PM
End Date
23-4-2007 3:00 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 has 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 the role of these adrenal hormones in fetal development. At 8 weeks of age, females had either the adrenal-freezing surgery, or the sham surgery, and were allowed 10 days to recover. Rats were mated and fetuses collected on gestation day 20. Fetal number, fetal weights, and fetal kidney weights were recorded. The uterus was inspected for evidence of fetal resorption, which indicates fetal or maternal stress. Finally, blood was collected for hormone assays to confirm the reduction of adrenal hormones.
Fetal Effects of Impaired Aldosterone Secretion During Pregnancy in the Rat
CSU 253/4/5
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 has 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 the role of these adrenal hormones in fetal development. At 8 weeks of age, females had either the adrenal-freezing surgery, or the sham surgery, and were allowed 10 days to recover. Rats were mated and fetuses collected on gestation day 20. Fetal number, fetal weights, and fetal kidney weights were recorded. The uterus was inspected for evidence of fetal resorption, which indicates fetal or maternal stress. Finally, blood was collected for hormone assays to confirm the reduction of adrenal hormones.
Recommended Citation
Sticha, Benjamin and Sara Feldbrugge. "Fetal Effects of Impaired Aldosterone Secretion During Pregnancy in the Rat." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 23, 2007.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2007/poster-session-A/4
