Adrenergic influences on rabbit oviduct: effect of muscle size and ovarian hormones

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Abstract
A direct action of ovarian steroids on adrenergic neurons in the oviduct and an indirect effect mediated by changes in muscle size were examined. Mature rabbits were treated as follows: group 1, ovariectomized and a polyethylene catheter (1 mm OD) inserted into isthmus of 1 oviduct (CT) with contralateral oviduct as control (C); group 2, normal, estrous animals with 1 intubated isthmus (ET) and contralateral control (E). Fourteen days postoperatively, oviducts were removed and muscle-wall thickness, norepinephrine (NE) content and response to nerve stimulation were measured. Although castration atrophy was prevented in CT, NE content of CT was significantly less than C, 0.032 .+-. 0.07 vs. 1.09 .+-. 0.10 nmol. NE content of ET was also significantly less than E (1.32 .+-. 0.03 vs. 1.81 .+-. 2.0) despite a greater wall thickness of ET. Withdrawal of ovarian hormones reduces NE contents by a direct action on nerves. Moderate stretch, per se, increases muscle size and reduced NE content. Nerve stimulation induces muscle contraction despite large reduction in transmitter content.