Effects of Ovariectomy and Atherosclerosis on Rat Vaginal Blood Flow

Park, Dong Soo; Kim, Sung Han; Paick, Jae Seung; Kim, Soo Woong

Abstract

PURPOSE
Sexual arousal disorder is a common female sexual dysfunction. This study investigated the effects of ovariectomy and/or atherosclerosis on rat vaginal blood flow.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Female rats were divided into 4 groups (n=10 in each group): control group, bilateral ovariectomy (group Ox), atherosclerosis (group AS), bilateral ovariectomy and atherosclerosis (group OxAS). The groups AS and OxAS received atherosclerosis-inducing treatment for 6 weeks. Changes in vaginal blood flow elicited by pelvic nerve stimulation were assessed by laser Doppler flowmetry. The internal iliac artery was harvested and stained to measure the intima/media (I/M) ratio of the vessel.
RESULTS
Mean I/M ratio of the internal iliac artery was significantly increased in the AS and OxAS groups. Vaginal blood flow responses induced by pelvic nerve stimulation were compared using 10-Hz stimulation which showed maximal responses. Ovariectomized rats (Ox and OxAS groups) showed prolonged duration of responses compared with the control group. Relative area under the curve (AUC) of vaginal blood flow responses in the Ox, AS, and OxAS groups was significantly reduced compared with the control group. The magnitude of decrease in the relative AUC was significantly greater in the OxAS group than those in the Ox or AS groups.
CONCLUSIONS
Ovariectomy significantly reduced vaginal blood flow induced by pelvic nerve stimulation in rats. Atherosclerosis seems to potentiate this harmful effect of ovariectomy on vaginal blood flow.