In the pubertal rat, the regulation of ovarian function involves the synergic participation of the sensory and sympathetic innervations that arrive at the gonad.

Background: The present study investigates sectioning the superior ovarian nerve (SON) in rats with functional sensorial denervation induced by capsaicin administration at birth and the effects on the establishment of puberty, ovulation, serum progesterone, and estradiol concentrations.

Methods: The animals were allotted randomly to one of the following experimental groups. Groups of 8-10 rats were injected at birth with capsaicin or vehicle, and on day 20 or 28 of life, they were submitted to a sham operation (SO).

Effects of sensorial denervation induced by capsaicin injection at birth or on day three of life, on puberty, induced ovulation and pregnancy.

Evidence that ovarian innervation plays a role in the regulation of ovarian functions has been widely reported. The present study analyzed the effects of treating neonatal rats with capsaicin on: the onset of puberty, serum hormone levels, timing of first vaginal estrus, ovulation rates, ovarian and uterine weights, follicular development, and noradrenaline concentration in the ovaries. The study was based on two experimental models: untouched rats and hemispayed animals.