AVALIAÇÃO DO EFEITO DO VALERATO DE ESTRADIOL NO CICLO ESTRAL E NA HISTOLOGIA DA VEIA POPLÍTEA DE RATAS.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the estrous cycle and the number of smooth muscle cells (NSMC) of the middle coat (MC) of female rats treated with estrogen. Methods: We used twenty female Wistar rats, without sexual experience, were divided into two groups: Control group (n = 10 - 0.2 ml of vehicle) and Estradiol group [(n = 10 - 0.125mcg estradiol valerate (EV)]. The administration of the solutions were made by gavage for twenty-eight days, during this period were performed vaginal smears for evaluation of the estrous cycle. After treatment, the rats were euthanized and the segment of the right popliteal vein was removed for histological procedures. The vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) of MC were observed under an optical microscope at 100x magnification and counted with the aid of manual cell counter brand Digitimer. Results: According to the daily evaluation of vaginal smears, there were no changes in the phases of the estrous cycle. The counting of NSMC between groups GC (n = 8, 30.50 ± 6.28) and GE (n = 8, 29.22 ± 3.41) showed no significant change. Conclusions: We concluded that the hormone EV, in oral daily dose, at concentration of 0.125mcg, do not predispose to estrous cycle and do not alter NSML in the popliteal vein, for twenty eight days of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]