Figure 5. mRNA expression of VEGFR2 and ERβ in ovariectomized female rat retinae with or without photocoagulation and/or E2 treatment

mRNA expression was analyzed by real time PCR. After a 7 day washout period, ovariectomized ("OVX") rats received photocoagulation ("laser") and/or E2 treatment (10 μg/day) for the following 7 days. Results represent three independent experiments performed in duplicated samples. Levels of gene expression are shown as a ratio to untreated controls and shown as mean (8 eyes); the error bars represent the standard error of the mean. A: VEGFR2 mRNA expression in ovariectomized female rats. Asterisk and double asterisk mark significant (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively) differences. B: ERβ mRNA expression in ovariectomized female rats. Asterisks mark significant (p<0.01) differences.