**9.5 The effects of unilateral adrenalectomy**

Figure 6 shows the acute effects (one hour after surgery) of unilateral adrenalectomy, conducted on each day of the estrous cycle, on progesterone, testosterone and estradiol serum levels. The results show that the lack of one adrenal modified in different ways the concentration of the three hormones. The results suggest that the acute diminution and recovery of adrenal hormones affects the transportation of cholesterol to the ovaries in different ways, and the hormone secretion by the in situ ovary is only affected in diestrus 1, when unilateral adrenalectomy resulted in lower progesterone levels.

The effects of unilateral ovariectomy on testosterone and estradiol serum levels are asymmetric, mostly when surgery was performed on diestrus 2 (testosterone) or proestrus (testosterone and estradiol). The results suggest that the activity of enzymes participating in the synthesis of testosterone and estradiol are regulated by the levels of adrenal hormones and are not related to the synthesis of progesterone, since progesterone levels were not modify when the surgery was performed on diestrus 2 or proestrus.

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PROGESTERONE TESTOSTERONE ESTRADIOL

\*

ABDOMINAL WALL SURGERY LEFT SON STIMULATION LEFT SON SECTION RIGHT SON STIMULATION

\* p<0.05 vs. abdominal wall surgery; # p<0.05 vs. ipsilateral stimulation (MANOVA followed by

Fig. 5. Comparative effects of ventral abdominal wall surgery, unilateral stimulation or sectioning of the superior ovarian nerve on progesterone (ng/mL, testosterone and estradiol

ovary in-situ) resulted in lower levels of the same parameters (Chávez et al.1987, 1989)**.**

Sectioning the right or left vagus nerves to right-ULO rats (left ovary in-situ) reduces compensatory ovarian hypertrophy, while the effects of sectioning the left vagus nerve depended on which ovary remained in-situ. Left-side vagotomy performed to right ULO rats (left ovary in-situ) resulted in higher ovulation rates, higher compensatory ovarian hypertrophy, and higher number of ova shed; while the same procedure to left ULO rats (right

Sensorial innervations also play a role in regulating ovarian functions. Sensorial denervation induced by injecting capsaicin subcutaneously or into the ovarian bursa lowered spontaneous ovulation and secretion of progesterone and estradiol. Capsaicin treatment to ULO rats affected ovulation and the secretion of ovarian steroids, and these effects depended on which ovary remained in situ and the day of the cycle when treatment was

Figure 6 shows the acute effects (one hour after surgery) of unilateral adrenalectomy, conducted on each day of the estrous cycle, on progesterone, testosterone and estradiol serum levels. The results show that the lack of one adrenal modified in different ways the concentration of the three hormones. The results suggest that the acute diminution and recovery of adrenal hormones affects the transportation of cholesterol to the ovaries in different ways, and the hormone secretion by the in situ ovary is only affected in diestrus 1,

The effects of unilateral ovariectomy on testosterone and estradiol serum levels are asymmetric, mostly when surgery was performed on diestrus 2 (testosterone) or proestrus (testosterone and estradiol). The results suggest that the activity of enzymes participating in the synthesis of testosterone and estradiol are regulated by the levels of adrenal hormones and are not related to the synthesis of progesterone, since progesterone levels were not

when unilateral adrenalectomy resulted in lower progesterone levels.

modify when the surgery was performed on diestrus 2 or proestrus.

serum levels (pg/mL).

performed (Trujillo et al., 2001, 2004).

**9.5 The effects of unilateral adrenalectomy** 

Tukey's test)

RIGHT SON SECTION

\*

\*

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