Abstract: Objective To evaluate the effects of estrogen on renal function of pregnant rabbits with hemorrhagic shock. Methods
Forty pregnant New Zealand white rabbits were randomized into 4 groups, namely normal control group (NG group, with
anesthesia only), estrogen group (E2 group, with additional estrogen injection at 60 min), estrogen-hemorrhagic shock (E2SG)
group and fructose-hemorrhagic shock (FSG) group. In the latter two groups, the rabbits were subjected to phlebotomy for 15
min to induce hemorrhagic shock with a blood pressure of 40 mmHg; after maintenance of the pressure for 45 min,
intravenous injections of estrogen or fructose were given before resuscitation 20 min later. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and
creatinine (Cr) concentration were measured at different time points and renal pathology of the rabbits was observed. Results
No significant differences were founding serum BUN and Cr levels between NG and E2G groups during the experiment. In
FSG and E2SG groups, serum BUN level began to increase at 80 min after hemorrhagic shock and was significantly higher in
FSG group (P<0.05); serum Cr level increased progressively from the start of the experiment and began to decrease at 60 min,
with a faster rate of reduction in E2SG group (P<0.05). Conclusion Estrogen can effectively lower serum BUN and Cr levels and
ameliorate renal pathologies to offer protective effect in pregnant rabbits against hemorrhagic shock.