Effects of testosterone on cardiomyocyte calcium homeostasis and contractile function in female rats

Exp Physiol. 2013 Jan;98(1):161-71. doi: 10.1113/expphysiol.2012.067009. Epub 2012 Jul 13.

Abstract

The role of testosterone (T) in the regulation of cardiovascular function in females is not well understood. Our goal was to examine the effect of T on cardiomyocyte biology by measuring sarcomere shortening/relaxation and intracellular calcium cycling in adult female Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were divided into the following four groups: (1) sham operated; (2) ovariectomized (OVX); (3) OVX plus T; and (4) OVX + T plus an aromatase inhibitor (AI). The final group was added to rule out effects from bioconversion of T to oestradiol. Sarcomere/calcium dynamics were measured after 4 weeks at 2 and 6 Hz, then at 6 Hz following exposure to 300 nm isoprenaline. Additionally, the acute (i.e. non-genomic) effects of T were evaluated in sham-operated and OVX + T + AI rats. There were no group differences, nor was there evidence for an effect of T on frequency or isoprenaline response. Additionally, there were no findings to indicate an acute, non-genomic T effect. Moreover, the relative α- and β-myosin heavy chain isoform complement was unchanged by OVX or T replacement. Our results argue against acute or chronic effects of T on cardiomyocyte shortening dynamics, calcium cycling or myosin heavy chain expression, arguing against any direct effect of T on cardiomyocyte function in adult females.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Homeostasis / drug effects*
  • Muscle Contraction / drug effects*
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / drug effects
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / physiology*
  • Myosin Heavy Chains / metabolism
  • Ovariectomy
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Sarcomeres / drug effects
  • Sarcomeres / physiology
  • Testosterone / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Testosterone
  • Myosin Heavy Chains
  • Calcium