Long-term ovariectomy changes formalin-induced licking in female rats: the role of estrogens

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Gonadal hormones have been shown to exert modulatory effects on nociception and analgesia. To investigate the role of gonadal hormones in the response by female rats to both phasic and persistent nociceptive stimulation, we evaluated the effects of long-term ovar...

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Main Authors: Massafra Cosimo, Fiorenzani Paolo, Ceccarelli Ilaria, Aloisi Anna
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2003-02-01
Series:Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.RBEj.com/content/1/1/24
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author Massafra Cosimo
Fiorenzani Paolo
Ceccarelli Ilaria
Aloisi Anna
author_facet Massafra Cosimo
Fiorenzani Paolo
Ceccarelli Ilaria
Aloisi Anna
author_sort Massafra Cosimo
collection DOAJ
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Gonadal hormones have been shown to exert modulatory effects on nociception and analgesia. To investigate the role of gonadal hormones in the response by female rats to both phasic and persistent nociceptive stimulation, we evaluated the effects of long-term ovariectomy (OVX, 6 months) on the thermal pain threshold and on formalin-induced responses. The thermal pain threshold was evaluated with the plantar test apparatus, while persistent pain was induced by a subcutaneous injection of dilute formalin (50 microliter, 10%) in the dorsal hind paw. The formalin test was carried out in an open field apparatus where the animal's spontaneous behavior and formalin-induced responses (licking duration, flinching frequency and flexing duration of the injected paw) were recorded for 60 min. Estradiol and corticosterone plasma levels were determined in blood collected from the anesthetized animals at the end of the test. In OVX females, the duration of formalin-induced licking was longer than in Intact females during both the first and the second phase; flinching and flexing did not differ from Intact. The thermal pain threshold was only slightly affected by OVX. Estradiol and corticosterone were lower in OVX females than Intact ones. These data indicate that long-term depletion of gonadal hormones in female rats modulates the pain-induced behavioral responses related to supraspinal neural circuits (licking of the injected paw) rather than more spinally mediated responses such as formalin-induced flinching and withdrawal latency in the plantar test.</p>
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spelling doaj.art-c954435322524acba5e35fd3d89c14ba2022-12-21T21:09:15ZengBMCReproductive Biology and Endocrinology1477-78272003-02-01112410.1186/1477-7827-1-24Long-term ovariectomy changes formalin-induced licking in female rats: the role of estrogensMassafra CosimoFiorenzani PaoloCeccarelli IlariaAloisi Anna<p>Abstract</p> <p>Gonadal hormones have been shown to exert modulatory effects on nociception and analgesia. To investigate the role of gonadal hormones in the response by female rats to both phasic and persistent nociceptive stimulation, we evaluated the effects of long-term ovariectomy (OVX, 6 months) on the thermal pain threshold and on formalin-induced responses. The thermal pain threshold was evaluated with the plantar test apparatus, while persistent pain was induced by a subcutaneous injection of dilute formalin (50 microliter, 10%) in the dorsal hind paw. The formalin test was carried out in an open field apparatus where the animal's spontaneous behavior and formalin-induced responses (licking duration, flinching frequency and flexing duration of the injected paw) were recorded for 60 min. Estradiol and corticosterone plasma levels were determined in blood collected from the anesthetized animals at the end of the test. In OVX females, the duration of formalin-induced licking was longer than in Intact females during both the first and the second phase; flinching and flexing did not differ from Intact. The thermal pain threshold was only slightly affected by OVX. Estradiol and corticosterone were lower in OVX females than Intact ones. These data indicate that long-term depletion of gonadal hormones in female rats modulates the pain-induced behavioral responses related to supraspinal neural circuits (licking of the injected paw) rather than more spinally mediated responses such as formalin-induced flinching and withdrawal latency in the plantar test.</p>http://www.RBEj.com/content/1/1/24Gonadal hormonesPainPlantar TestFormalin TestOvariectomy
spellingShingle Massafra Cosimo
Fiorenzani Paolo
Ceccarelli Ilaria
Aloisi Anna
Long-term ovariectomy changes formalin-induced licking in female rats: the role of estrogens
Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology
Gonadal hormones
Pain
Plantar Test
Formalin Test
Ovariectomy
title Long-term ovariectomy changes formalin-induced licking in female rats: the role of estrogens
title_full Long-term ovariectomy changes formalin-induced licking in female rats: the role of estrogens
title_fullStr Long-term ovariectomy changes formalin-induced licking in female rats: the role of estrogens
title_full_unstemmed Long-term ovariectomy changes formalin-induced licking in female rats: the role of estrogens
title_short Long-term ovariectomy changes formalin-induced licking in female rats: the role of estrogens
title_sort long term ovariectomy changes formalin induced licking in female rats the role of estrogens
topic Gonadal hormones
Pain
Plantar Test
Formalin Test
Ovariectomy
url http://www.RBEj.com/content/1/1/24
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AT fiorenzanipaolo longtermovariectomychangesformalininducedlickinginfemaleratstheroleofestrogens
AT ceccarelliilaria longtermovariectomychangesformalininducedlickinginfemaleratstheroleofestrogens
AT aloisianna longtermovariectomychangesformalininducedlickinginfemaleratstheroleofestrogens