Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol 60, Issue 2 590-595, Copyright © 1986 by American Physiological Society

ARTICLES

Progesterone receptors and ventilatory stimulation by progestin

P. Brodeur, M. Mockus, R. McCullough and L. G. Moore

Progestin is thought to be a ventilatory stimulant but its effectiveness in raising ventilation is variable in humans and other species. We hypothesized that the level of progesterone receptors was an important determinant of the ventilatory response to progestin. Since estradiol induces progesterone receptor formation, we compared the ventilatory effect of the synthetic progestin medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) given in combination with estradiol with the effects of estradiol alone, MPA alone, or vehicle (saline) in ovariectomized rats. Animals receiving MPA alone had low numbers of progesterone receptors (2.43 pmol/g uterine wt) and had no change in ventilation, arterial Pco2, or Po2. MPA administration raised ventilation 23 +/- 5%, lowered arterial Pco2 3.2 +/- 0.9 Torr (both P less than 0.01) and tended to raise arterial Po2 when given in combination with estradiol to animals with increased numbers of progesterone receptors (4.85 pmol/g uterine wt). Estradiol alone produced the highest number of progesterone receptors (12.3 pmol/g uterine wt) but had no effect on ventilation or arterial Pco2 and decreased arterial Po2. Combined estradiol plus MPA treatment produced a greater fall in arterial Pco2 than did treatment with MPA alone, estradiol, or saline (all P less than 0.05). These results suggest that both an elevation in progestin levels and progesterone receptor numbers are required to stimulate ventilation.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. E. Preston, D. Jensen, I. Janssen, and J. T. Fisher Effect of menopause on the chemical control of breathing and its relationship with acid-base status Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, March 1, 2009; 296(3): R722 - R727. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Jensen, L. A. Wolfe, L. Slatkovska, K. A. Webb, G. A. L. Davies, and D. E. O'Donnell Effects of human pregnancy on the ventilatory chemoreflex response to carbon dioxide Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, May 1, 2005; 288(5): R1369 - R1375. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. F. Kuebler, Y. Yokoyama, D. Jarrar, B. Toth, L. W. Rue III, K. I. Bland, P. Wang, and I. H. Chaudry Administration of Progesterone After Trauma and Hemorrhagic Shock Prevents Hepatocellular Injury Arch Surg, July 1, 2003; 138(7): 727 - 734. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Shahar, S. Redline, T. Young, L. L. Boland, C. M. Baldwin, F. J. Nieto, G. T. O'Connor, D. M. Rapoport, and J. A. Robbins Hormone Replacement Therapy and Sleep-disordered Breathing Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., May 1, 2003; 167(9): 1186 - 1192. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				O. Pascual, M.-P. Morin-Surun, B. Barna, M. Denavit-Saubie, J.-M. Pequignot, and J. Champagnat Progesterone reverses the neuronal responses to hypoxia in rat nucleus tractus solitarius in vitro J. Physiol., October 15, 2002; 544(2): 511 - 520. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. R. Muza, P. B. Rock, C. S. Fulco, S. Zamudio, B. Braun, A. Cymerman, G. E. Butterfield, and L. G. Moore Women at altitude: ventilatory acclimatization at 4,300 m J Appl Physiol, October 1, 2001; 91(4): 1791 - 1799. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. P. Heenan and L. A. Wolfe Plasma acid-base regulation above and below ventilatory threshold in late gestation J Appl Physiol, January 1, 2000; 88(1): 149 - 157. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. J. Orr-Walker, A. M. Horne, M. C. Evans, A. B. Grey, M. A. F. Murray, A. R. McNeil, and I. R. Reid Hormone Replacement Therapy Causes a Respiratory Alkalosis in Normal Postmenopausal Women J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., June 1, 1999; 84(6): 1997 - 2001. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				T. Saaresranta, P. Polo-Kantola, K. Irjala, H. Helenius, and O. Polo Respiratory Insufficiency in Postmenopausal Women: Sustained Improvement of Gas Exchange With Short-term Medroxyprogesterone Acetate Chest, June 1, 1999; 115(6): 1581 - 1587. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. A. Beidleman, P. B. Rock, S. R. Muza, C. S. Fulco, V. A. Forte Jr., and A. Cymerman Exercise VE and physical performance at altitude are not affected by menstrual cycle phase J Appl Physiol, May 1, 1999; 86(5): 1519 - 1526. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Tatsumi, C. K. Pickett, C. R. Jacoby, J. V. Weil, and L. G. Moore Role of endogenous female hormones in hypoxic chemosensitivity J Appl Physiol, November 1, 1997; 83(5): 1706 - 1710. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. G. Kemp, F. A. Greer, and L. A. Wolfe Acid-base regulation after maximal exercise testing in late gestation J Appl Physiol, August 1, 1997; 83(2): 644 - 651. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]