Estrogen replacement attenuates stress-induced pressor responses through vasorelaxation via β-adrenoceptors in peripheral arteries of ovariectomized rats.

We examined whether chronic estrogen replacement has an inhibitory effect on stress-induced pressor responses via activation of β-adrenoceptor (AR) in peripheral arteries of ovariectomized rats. Female Wistar rats aged 9 wk were ovariectomized. After 4 wk, pellets containing either 17β-estradiol (E) or placebo (Pla) were subcutaneously implanted into the rats.