The Effect of Ovariectomy on Rat Vaginal Tissue Contractility and Histomorphology

Ovariectomy causes significant alteration in rat vaginal tissue morphology and contractility. Contraction and relaxation responses of distal vagina are significantly greater compared with morphologically distinct proximal vagina. Alpha‐1 and alpha‐2 receptors are the main mediators of contraction in distal rat vaginal tissue whereas nitric oxide pathway may have at least a partial role in relaxation. Main mediators of the rat vaginal tissue relaxation and the effect of ovariectomy on this regulation are yet to be defined. Önol FF, Ercan F, and Tarcan T. The effect of ovariectomy on rat vaginal tissue contractility and histomorphology. J Sex Med 2006;3:233-241.