Autonomic nervous regulation of ovarian function by noxious somatic afferent stimulation

Abstract

It is well known that ovarian function is regulated by hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian hormones. However, although several histological studies have described the autonomic innervation of the ovary, the involvement of these autonomic nerves in ovarian function is unclear. Recently, it has been shown that both the superior ovarian nerve (SON) and the ovarian nerve plexus (ONP) induce vasoconstrictor activity by activation of alpha 1-adrenoceptors, whereas the SON, but not the ONP, inhibits ovarian estradiol secretion by activation of alpha 2-adrenoceptors. Furthermore, reflex activation of these ovarian nerves by noxious cutaneous stimulation of the rat hindpaw results in ovarian vasoconstriction and inhibition of estradiol secretion. Thus, in addition to long-term regulation of ovarian function by hormones, ovarian autonomic innervation may be involved in rapid regulation of ovarian function by responding to either internal or external environmental changes.

Pharmacological sympathetic denervation prevents the development of polycystic ovarian syndrome in rats injected with estradiol valerate

“…In the present study, the results obtained from Vh-treated and GTD-denervated animals support this idea. Uchida and Kagitani [ 48 ] reported that the electrical stimulation of the SON results in lower testosterone concentrations via the activation of alpha-1 adrenergic receptors, and in lower oestradiol levels by the activation of alpha-2 adrenergic receptors. The discrepancy between Uchida and Kagitani’s findings and the present study results on testosterone and oestradiol secretion regulation in the Vh-treated and GTD denervated animals may result from the destruction of noradrenergic neurons by GTD treatment, evidenced by the TH (activity / expression) reduction.…”

Altered uterine contractility in response to β-adrenoceptor agonists in ovarian cancer

“…Although the innervation of the ovaries by vagal parasympathetic and sympathetic nerves has been described, the involvement of these autonomic nerves in ovarian function has not yet been clarified [ 16 ]. Moreover, β-adrenoceptors have been identified on several types of cancer cells, including ovarian cancer cell lines [ 17 ], yet little is known about their effects on uterine contractility in gynecological cancers.…”

Ovarian Innervation Coupling With Vascularity: The Role of Electro-Acupuncture in Follicular Maturation in a Rat Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

“…An individual animal was lying with the left ovary exposed following a horizontal incision of about 2 cm and removal of abdominal fat. Based on the location of the SON nerve innervating the ovary (Uchida and Kagitani, 2014;Pastelin et al, 2017) and as shown in Figure 6A, the SON was cut with scissors. This was following by suturing the wound and kept warm to avoid infection.…”