School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine

The effects of reproductive hormones on smooth muscle function

Gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) is classically thought of as acting to regulate reproductive function.  The receptors for GnRH, however, are expressed in a variety of tissues throughout the body, including non-reproductive areas of the brain, the heart and the bladder.  Changes in reproductive state can be associated with changes in function of organs made up of smooth muscle for example, in dogs, following being spayed urinary incontinence is more common.  In collaboration with Dr Fiona Dowell (School of Veterinary Medicine) we have investigated the effects of spaying on smooth muscle function using molecular, immunohistochemical and classical organ bath techniques.

Publications

• Coit VA, Dowell FJ, Evans NP 2008 Neutering affects mRNA expression levels for the LH- and GnRH- receptors in the canine urinary bladder. Theriogenology. 71:239-247
• Coit VA, Gibson IF, Evans NP, Dowell FJ 2008 Neutering affects urinary bladder function by different mechanisms in male and female dogs. European Journal of Pharmacology 584:153-158