Expression Of Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase Activating Peptide In The Uterine Cervix, Lumbosacral Dorsal Root Ganglia And Spinal Cord Of Rats During Pregnancy

ASU Author/Contributor (non-ASU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Dr.. Chishimba Nathan Mowa, Associate Professor (Creator)
Institution
Appalachian State University (ASU )
Web Site: https://library.appstate.edu/

Abstract: The uterine cervix is highly innervated by the sensory nerves containing neuropeptides which change during pregnancy and are regulated, in part, by estrogen. These neuropep- tides act as transmitters both in the spinal cord and cervix. The present study was under- taken to determine the expression pattern of the neuropeptide pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide (PACAP) in the cervix and its nerves during pregnancy and the influence of estrogen on this expression using immunohistochemistry, radioimmunoassay and RT- PCR. PACAP immunoreactivity was detected in nerves in the cervix, lumbosacral (L6-S1) dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and spinal cord. PACAP immunoreactivity was highest at day 15 of pregnancy in the cervix and dorsal spinal cord, but then decreased over the last trimester of pregnancy. However, levels of PACAP mRNA increased in the L6-S1 DRG at late pregnancy relative to early pregnancy. DRG of ovariectomized rats treated with estrogen showed increased PACAP mRNA synthesis in a dose-related manner, an effect partially blocked by the estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist ICI 182 780. We postulate that synthesis of PACAP in L6-S1 DRG and utilization in the cervix and spinal cord increase over pregnancy and this synthesis is the under influence of the estrogen-ER system. Since PACAP is expressed by sensory nerves and may have roles in nociception and vascular function, collectively, these data are consistent with the hypothesis that sensory nerve-derived neuronal factors innervate the cervix and play a role in cervical ripening.

Additional Information

Publication
R.E. Papka, M. Workley, S. Usip, C.N. Mowa, J. Fahrenkrug (2006) "Expression Of Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase Activating Peptide In The Uterine Cervix, Lumbosacral Dorsal Root Ganglia And Spinal Cord Of Rats During Pregnancy." Peptides #27 pp.743-752 Version of Record Available @ www.sciencedirect.com [DOI:10.1016/j.peptides.2005.08.005]
Language: English
Date: 2006
Keywords
PACAP, DRG, pregnancy, Rats, cervical ripening, spinal cord

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