Isolation and properties of cholesterol esterstorage granules from ovarian tissues

Luteinizing Hormone Regulation of Inter-Organelle Communication and Fate of the Corpus Luteum

The corpus luteum is an endocrine gland that synthesizes the steroid hormone progesterone. luteinizing hormone (LH) is a key luteotropic hormone that stimulates ovulation, luteal development, progesterone biosynthesis, and maintenance of the corpus luteum. Luteotropic and luteolytic factors precisely regulate luteal structure and function; yet, despite recent scientific progress within the past few years, the exact mechanisms remain largely unknown. In the present review, we summarize the recent progress towards understanding cellular changes induced by LH in steroidogenic luteal cells. Herein, we will focus on the effects of LH on inter-organelle communication and steroid biosynthesis, and how LH regulates key protein kinases (i.e., AMPK and MTOR) responsible for controlling steroidogenesis and autophagy in luteal cells.

Formation and characterization of lipid droplets of the bovine corpus luteum

Establishment and maintenance of pregnancy depends on progesterone synthesized by luteal tissue in the ovary. Our objective was to identify the characteristics of lipid droplets (LDs) in ovarian steroidogenic cells. We hypothesized that LDs are a major feature of steroidogenic luteal cells and store cholesteryl esters. Whole bovine tissues, isolated ovarian steroidogenic cells (granulosa, theca, small luteal, and large luteal), and isolated luteal LDs were assessed for LD content, LD-associated proteins and lipid analyses. Bovine luteal tissue contained abundant lipid droplets, LD-associated perilipins 2/3/5, hormone-sensitive lipase, and 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate O-acyltransferase ABHD5. Luteal tissue was enriched in triglycerides (TGs) compared to other tissues, except for adipose tissue. Luteal cells were distinguishable from follicular cells by the presence of LDs, LD-associated proteins, and increased TGs. Furthermore, LDs from large luteal cells were numerous and small; whereas, LDs from small luteal cells were large and less numerous. Isolated LDs contained nearly all of the TGs and cholesteryl esters present in luteal tissue. Isolated luteal LDs were composed primarily of TG, with lesser amounts of cholesteryl esters, diglyceride and other phospholipids. Bovine luteal LDs are distinct from LDs in other bovine tissues, including follicular steroidogenic cells.

Bioassay of fish gonadotrophin by ovarian mitochondrial cholesterol depletion

Murrel (Channa punctatus Bloch) ovarian tissues were incubated in vitro with or without piscine gonadotrophins and then subjected to subcellular fractionation followed by nonesterified cholesterol (cholesterol) assay. Gonadotrophin from salmon (SG-G100), tilapia (TL1MS), and sturgeon (S27MS) depleted cholesterol in the mitochondrial fraction, whereas cholesterol remained unchanged in other subcellular fractions. Aminoglutethimide, an inhibitor of mitochondrial cholesterol side-chain cleavage, blocked the depletion of mitochondrial cholesterol in response to SG-G100 and murrel pituitary extract. When ovarian tissue containing [4-14C]cholesterol was challenged with SG-G100 in vitro, a dose-dependent decrease of mitochondrial [4-14C]cholesterol was observed. Increasing concentrations (1, 2, 4, 6, or 8 micrograms/incubation) of SG-G100, TL1MS, and S27MS resulted in a clear linear depletion of mitochondrial cholesterol. The slope of the dose-response curve in different individual fish was found to be distinctly uniform and parallel. The slopes of the standard curves obtained with TL1MS and S27MS were greater than that with SG-G100, indicating that tilapia and sturgeon gonadotrophins are more potent. Carp pituitary gonadotrophin content, determined by using these standard curves, showed the sensitivity and precision of this bioassay.

The composition and distribution of lipid granules in the rat ovary

Lipid granules in ovaries of immature rats were confined to the interstitial tissue, and comprised 70% cholesteryl esters and 20% triacylglycerols, the balance being phospholipid and free cholesterol. Following treatment with gonadotropin the interstitial granules disappeared as cholesteryl esters were hydrolysed, but reformed in the follicle as it developed, first in the theca, then in the outer granulosa and finally in the inner cells. The cholesteryl ester: triacylglycerol ratio fell during follicular growth, but in the corpus luteum the ratio in the widely distributed granules was 1:1. Esterified fatty acids in both cholesteryl esters and triacylglycerols became longer and more unsaturated as development progressed. The same progression of granules across the follicles was evident in ovaries of normal adult rats. We concluded that lipid granules in interstitial tissue supplied the substrates for synthesis of new cells in adjacent developing follicles, and those in corpora lutea were a prerequisite for steroidogenic competence.

A comparison of rat and hamster preovulatory follicles: an examination of differences in morphology and enzyme activity using qualitative and quantitative analyses

The structure and enzymatic content of rat and hamster preovulatory follicles were examined using morphologic, qualitative, and quantitative cytochemical techniques. Interfollicular structure in both types was similar but lipid droplet distribution differed. The rat theca contained many more droplets than the hamster, while the hamster membrana granulosa contained more droplets than the rat. delta 5-3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta OHD) activity and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) Types IH and IIH generation were measured using quantitative cytochemistry. Rat theca and granulosa contained more 3 beta OHD activity than found in comparable regions in hamster. G-6-PD Type IH and Type IIH generation were the same in comparable regions of rat and hamster, but in rat there was more Type IIH than IH, while the converse existed in hamster. These differences and their relationship to follicular steroid production are discussed.

Investigation of the apolipoprotein fraction of isolated rat adrenal and bovine adrenocortical lipid droplets

The lipid droplet fractions from rat adrenal and bovine adrenocortical tissue were isolated by density ultracentrifugation. The droplet fractions were delipidated and the protein components investigated by SDS-polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis. The adrenal lipid droplets from both species displayed a qualitatively similar protein profile, and both contained a major apolipoprotein subunit of Mr 40 000. Incubation of intact, non-delipidated lipid droplets with [gamma-32P]ATP in vitro resulted in the phosphorylation of the Mr 40 000 apolipoprotein subunit in the case of rat lipid droplets, but not in the case of bovine lipid droplets. However, following delipidation of the droplets with diethyl ether/ethanol, the Mr 40 000 apolipoprotein subunit was phosphorylated in both cases upon incubation of the delipidated protein fractions with [gamma-32P]ATP in vitro. Labelling with [gamma-32P]ATP and [3H]diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate indicated that the cholesterol ester hydrolase enzyme protein was not a major constituent of the adrenal lipid droplet protein fraction.

Cholesteryl esterase and endogenous cholesteryl ester pools in ovaries from maturing and superovulated immature rats

Results from the assay of cholesteryl esterase (EC 3.1.1.13) with radiolabelled substrate are difficult to interpret if endogenous cholesteryl ester is present. We overcame this problem by using an isotope dilution method to measure the endogenous pool sizes of cholesteryl ester in subcellular fractions of the ovary. This permitted calculation of the total cholesteryl esterase activity of the mitochondrial microsomal, and cytosolic fractions of the ovary. At all stages of ovarian development most cholesteryl esterase acitivity was found in the cytosol, and generally there was more activity in the microsomes than the mitochondria. The cholesteryl esterase in all three fractions exhibited higher activity with cholesteryl oleate as substrate than with cholesteryl palmitate. Increases in cholesteryl esterase activity and endogenous ester concentration were found at two stages of ovarian development; firstly after initiation of follicular growth by gonadotropin in the immature ovary, and secondly during luteinization. The increases were observed in all three sub-cellular fractions. Administration of human choriogonadotropin to rats which possessed luteinized ovaries resulted in activation of the mitochondrial and microsomal cholesteryl esterase but not the cytosolic enzyme.