Morphological modifications in clitoris and vagina in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Abstract

We evaluated possible morphological alteration in clitoris and vagina from spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive WKY rats. Clitoris and vagina were processed by Masson's trichrome, anti-a-smooth-muscle actin, anticollagen type I (COL I) and type III (COL III), and anti-TGFb 1 . SHR presented higher amount of clitoral cavernous smooth muscle (CSM), vascular smooth muscle; TGFb 1 in clitoral vessel wall; higher wall/lumen ratio in both vaginal and clitoral vessels; and remarkable interstitial fibrosis, expressed by a higher amount in interstitial COL I and III in both clitoris and vagina, compared to WKY rats. Nerve fibers from clitoral and vaginal tissue in SHR showed important fibrosis at perineurium. SHR showed positive correlation between systolic blood pressure (SBP) and clitoral CSM; SBP and fibrosis in clitoris; and SBP and COL I and III in clitoris, respectively. Similar findings were observed between SBP and COL I and III in vagina. In conclusion, SHR present morphologic changes in clitoral vessels as well as in clitoral cavernous space, which have a high positive correlation with the high blood pressure level. Moreover, the increase in extracellular matrix affects not only the clitoral and vaginal interstitium but also the nerve structures from both clitoris and vagina.

Increased vaginal oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inducible nitric oxide synthase in a diabetic rat model: implications for vaginal fibrosis

“…The fibrosis that we observed in vaginal tissue from type 1 diabetic rats appears to be similar to that seen in vaginal tissue from spontaneous hypertensive rats (12), sex hormonedeprived rabbits (9 -11, 13), and rabbits with atherosclerotic lesions and high cholesterol (22) as well as in clitoral tissue from alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits (21,22). All these conditions are associated with the reduction of the smooth muscle content, the impairment of the hemodynamic mechanisms regulating blood flow, and the loss of tissue compliance.…”

“…Similar alterations occur in the clitoris, leading to hemodynamic compromise in both organs (9,11). Clitoral and vaginal fibrosis also is associated with hypertension in the rat (12) and with increasing age (13).…”

Common Therapeutic Strategies in the Management of Sexual Dysfunction and Cardiovascular Disease

“…Balloon injury of aorto-iliac arteries and a high cholesterol diet has been shown to result in an increased clitoral fibrosis and an impairment of vaginal and clitoral engorgement [69,75]. Morphological characterization of clitoral and vaginal tissue revealed that in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) there is an increase in smooth muscle and fibrosis, relative to a normotensive strain [76]. In addition, SHR have reduced apomorphine-induced sexual responses as compared to normotensive strains (our unpublished observations).…”

Endothelin-1 Induces Contraction of Female Rat Internal Pudendal and Clitoral Arteries through ETA Receptor and Rho-Kinase Activation

“…The rat clitoris has been investigated in functional studies measuring clitoral relaxation mediated by a nitric oxide donor and cyclic guanosine monophosphate analog [35]. Additionally, clitoral morphological changes have been observed in spontaneously hypertensive rats [36], supporting clinical observations linking FSD and cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension [23,37]. Clitoris from both rats and humans share similar innervation and vasculature [34], therefore studying rat sexual responses in these specific arteries is indeed a practical application for the study of FSD.…”