Abstract
Dry eye is a major reason for visits to an ophthalmologist’s office. The most probable cause for dry eye is primary lacrimal deficiency (PLD).1 PLD is usually detected in women, most frequently after menopause, during pregnancy or lactation, or when taking estrogen-containing oral contraceptives. These various endocrine states exhibit a complete range of plasma estrogen levels from very low to very high. Thus, plasma estrogen concentrations do not appear to be a common variable in PLD. However, plasma free androgen levels are potentially decreased in all of these states. We have previously demonstrated that ovariectomy of female rabbits2 and hypophysectomy of female rats3 result in a decrease in biochemical correlates of lacrimal gland function. Treatment of these endocrinectomized animals with the potent androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT) restores the decreases in the biochemical markers of secretion,2,3 specifically, lacrimal gland protein, DNA, Na,K-ATPase, and ß-adrenergic receptors. Androgens have been shown to be responsible for the male-like morphological and functional characteristics of the gland, including larger acini,4 greater secretion of IgA,5 and greater production of polymeric IgA receptor, measured as secretory component (SC).6 When female rats are treated with androgens, the morphology of the lacrimal gland changes and resembles the male lacrimal gland.7 However, the major neurotransmitter receptor coupled to secretion in the lacrimal gland, the muscarinic cholinergic receptor, is regulated by circulating levels of prolactin, not androgens.3
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References
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Warren, D.W. et al. (1998). Androgen Support of Lacrimal Gland Function in the Female Rabbit. In: Sullivan, D.A., Dartt, D.A., Meneray, M.A. (eds) Lacrimal Gland, Tear Film, and Dry Eye Syndromes 2. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 438. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-5359-5_11
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-5359-5_11
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