P2X₃ receptor subunit messenger RNA expression in the female mouse bladder after oophorectomy with or without estrogen replacement

OBJECTIVE: This investigation was undertaken to determine whether the sensory neuron adenosine triphosphate receptor subunit (P2X₃) messenger RNA expression is altered in female mouse bladders after surgical oophorectomy with or without estrogen replacement. STUDY DESIGN: The mean relative concentrations of the P2X₃ receptor in 30 female mouse bladders (10 sham operated, 10 oophorectomized, and 10 oophorectomized with estrogen replacement) were determined with quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis. RESULTS: P2X₃ expression increased after surgical oophorectomy (0.91 ± 0.16 vs 1.04 ± 0.11, P = .048). However, P2X₃ expression after oophorectomy and immediate estrogen replacement did not differ from that of oophorectomy alone (1.11 ± 0.15 vs 1.04 ± 0.11, P = .206). CONCLUSIONS: The P2X₃ sensory neuron receptor messenger RNA expression is increased after oophorectomy but is not influenced by subsequent estrogen replacement. This has clinical significance because sensory neuron receptors may be associated with certain forms of bladder dysfunction.