Evaluation and characterization of hormonal receptor profiles in the vagina of primiparous and senescent multiparous mice in the postpartum period.

• Grant number: 23/08902-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2023
• End date: December 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Histology
• Principal Investigator: Sílvio Roberto Consonni
• Grantee: Rennan Francisco Sanches
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: During a woman's reproductive lifespan, various factors contribute to modifications in the reproductive organs, such as age, pregnancy, and childbirth. The vagina plays an important role in supporting the pelvic organs, and hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and relaxin influence changes in vaginal tissue. These changes can lead to a loss of integrity in the vaginal wall, which can cause Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP), affecting approximately 21.7% of women between 18 and 83 years of age. However, little is known about the mechanisms that affect the integrity of the vaginal wall and whether these hormones are related to these alterations. Therefore, animal models are important for investigating and understanding POP.Objectives: To evaluate and characterize the morphology of the vagina and the profile of hormonal receptors in the vaginal wall of primiparous and senescent multiparous mice in the postpartum period, which may contribute to the understanding of POP and support research investigating the physiopathological and molecular pathways of reproduction with alterations in the birth canal.Method: Histological evaluation, morphometric analysis of the vagina, protein localization, and evaluation of gene expression of estrogen, progesterone, and relaxin receptors in primiparous and senescent multiparous mice. The biological materials to be used in this project have already been collected in a previous research project by the research group on days six (D6) and 18 of pregnancy (D18), as well as three days postpartum (3dpp) and 21 days postpartum (21dpp).Expected results: It is expected to compare the hormonal receptors between primiparous and senescent multiparous animals in order to find evidence of tissue weakening and predisposition to POP in women.