Effects of levonorgestrel on reproductive hormone levels and their receptor expression in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus).

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Lv XH, Shi DZ

Effects of levonorgestrel on reproductive hormone levels and their receptor expression in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus).

Exp Anim. 2011;60(4):363-71. doi: 10.1538/expanim.60.363.

PubMed ID
21791876 [ View in PubMed
]
Abstract

The effects of levonorgestrel (LNG) on serum levels of reproductive hormones and their receptor mRNA expression in the ovary and uterus of Mongolian gerbils were examined. The results show that serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) increased, whereas serum estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) decreased profoundly after LNG treatment. LNG down-regulated the mRNA expression of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR), estrogen receptor (ER) beta and progesterone receptor (PR) in the ovary, and ERalpha and PR in the uterus of Mongolian gerbils. The down-regulated effects were time-dependent and dose-dependent. LNG had no obvious effects on ERalpha mRNA expression in the ovary. The findings suggest that LNG impairs reproductive hormone receptor expression at the molecular level in Mongolian gerbils. Also, the two ER subtypes may play different roles in the ovary, and ERbeta may not be the predominant ER subtype in the uterus of Mongolian gerbils. The ovary and uterus may be the important sites of action of LNG through its direct progesterone-like effects in Mongolian gerbils.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drug Targets
DrugTargetKindOrganismPharmacological ActionActions
LevonorgestrelEstrogen receptor alphaProteinHumans
Yes
Other/unknown
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