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Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition of the gonadotropin-stimulated rabbit: Effect on estradiol production

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Abstract

Purpose

Our purpose was to determine whether angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors affect gonadotropin-stimulated estradiol (E 2)production.

Design

This was a prospective, masked, randomized, placebo-controlled animal trial. Twenty female New Zealand White rabbits were hyperstimulated with gonadotropins. One-half of the rabbits received concomitant treatment with the ACE inhibitor, enalapril; one-half received concomitant treatment with a placebo.

Results

Baseline peripheral E 2 (13 ± 4 vs 11 ± 2 pg/ml) and angiotensin II (Ang II) (22 ± 5 vs 27 ± 7 pg/ml) levels were similar in both groups. Significant inhibition of peripheral Ang II levels was achieved in the enalapril group (32 ± 6 vs 93 ± 15 pg/ml; P =0.005).E 2 was significantly higher in the rabbits receiving enalapril versus placebo (369 ± 58 vs 183 ± 35 pg/ml, P <0.03), respectively. By day 10, peripheral E 2 had returned to normal levels in both groups (13 ± 1 vs 13 ± 1 pg/ml). However, E 2 levels in the ovarian effluent were 2.8 times higher in the enalapril rabbits.

Conclusion

Peripheral Ang II levels increase after gonadotropin stimulation and ACE inhibitors are able to blunt this increase significantly. ACE inhibition has a significant stimulatory effect on ovarian E 2 production. This implies that Ang II may normally inhibit ovarian E 2 production in stimulated cycles.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles County Women's and Children's Hospital, Los Angeles, California

    Randy S. Morris, I. Lane Wong & Richard J. Paulson

Authors
  1. Randy S. Morris
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  2. I. Lane Wong
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  3. Richard J. Paulson
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Morris, R.S., Wong, I.L. & Paulson, R.J. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition of the gonadotropin-stimulated rabbit: Effect on estradiol production. J Assist Reprod Genet 12, 326–329 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02213713

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02213713

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