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Effect of estradiol and progesterone on muscle weight and acetylcholine receptors in “myasthenic” rats

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Summary

Clinical evidence suggests that endocrinal factors are involved in fluctuations of the symptoms of women with myasthenia gravis. We studied the effect of estradiol and progesterone in an animal model for myasthenia gravis in rats. Although it was found that the mass of muscles was dependent on sex, and in female rats affected by estradiol, the number of acetylcholine receptors in these muscles was independent of sex and hormone administration. Sex hormones failed to influence the severity of muscle weakness in myasthenic rats.

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Author notes

  1. P. C. Molenaar

    Present address: Physiological Pharmacology Group, Sylvius Laboratory, Post Box 9503, 2300, RA Leiden, The Netherlands

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, University of Leiden, Leiden, The Netherlands

    G. Th. H. Van Kempen &  P. C. Molenaar

Authors
  1. G. Th. H. Van Kempen
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  2. P. C. Molenaar
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Van Kempen, G.T.H., Molenaar, P.C. Effect of estradiol and progesterone on muscle weight and acetylcholine receptors in “myasthenic” rats. J. Neural Transmission 87, 193–197 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01245365

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01245365

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