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Azumah R, Hummitzsch K, Anderson RA, Rodgers RJ. Expression of transforming growth factor β signalling molecules and their correlations with genes in loci linked to polycystic ovary syndrome in human foetal and adult tissues. Reprod Fertil Dev 2024; 36:RD23174. [PMID: 38894494 DOI: 10.1071/rd23174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Context Altered signalling of androgens, anti-Müllerian hormone or transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) during foetal development have been implicated in the predisposition to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in later life, aside from its genetic predisposition. In foetal ovarian fibroblasts, TGFβ1 has been shown to regulate androgen signalling and seven genes located in loci associated with PCOS. Since PCOS exhibits a myriad of symptoms, it likely involves many different organs. Aims To identify the relationships between TGFβ signalling molecules and PCOS candidate genes in different tissues associated with PCOS. Methods Using RNA sequencing data, we examined the expression patterns of TGFβ signalling molecules in the human ovary, testis, heart, liver, kidney, brain tissue, and cerebellum from 4 to 20weeks of gestation and postnatally. We also examined the correlations between gene expression of TGFβ signalling molecules and PCOS candidate genes. Key results TGFβ signalling molecules were dynamically expressed in most tissues prenatally and/or postnatally. FBN3 , a PCOS candidate gene involved in TGFβ signalling, was expressed during foetal development in all tissues. The PCOS candidate genes HMGA2, YAP1 , and RAD50 correlated significantly (P TGFBR1 in six out of the seven tissues examined. Conclusions This study suggests that possible crosstalk occurs between genes in loci associated with PCOS and TGFβ signalling molecules in multiple tissues, particularly during foetal development. Implications Thus, alteration in TGFβ signalling during foetal development could affect many tissues contributing to the multiple phenotypes of PCOS in later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafiatu Azumah
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Katja Hummitzsch
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Richard A Anderson
- Medical Research Council Centre for Reproductive Health, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Raymond J Rodgers
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
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James DW, Quintela M, Lucini L, Alkafri NK, Healey GD, Younas K, Bunkheila A, Margarit L, Francis LW, Gonzalez D, Conlan RS. Homeobox regulator Wilms Tumour 1 is displaced by androgen receptor at cis-regulatory elements in the endometrium of PCOS patients. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1368494. [PMID: 38745948 PMCID: PMC11091321 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1368494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Decidualisation, the process whereby endometrial stromal cells undergo morphological and functional transformation in preparation for trophoblast invasion, is often disrupted in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) resulting in complications with pregnancy and/or infertility. The transcription factor Wilms tumour suppressor 1 (WT1) is a key regulator of the decidualization process, which is reduced in patients with PCOS, a complex condition characterized by increased expression of androgen receptor in endometrial cells and high presence of circulating androgens. Using genome-wide chromatin immunoprecipitation approaches on primary human endometrial stromal cells, we identify key genes regulated by WT1 during decidualization, including homeobox transcription factors which are important for regulating cell differentiation. Furthermore, we found that AR in PCOS patients binds to the same DNA regions as WT1 in samples from healthy endometrium, suggesting dysregulation of genes important to decidualisation pathways in PCOS endometrium due to competitive binding between WT1 and AR. Integrating RNA-seq and H3K4me3 and H3K27ac ChIP-seq metadata with our WT1/AR data, we identified a number of key genes involved in immune response and angiogenesis pathways that are dysregulated in PCOS patients. This is likely due to epigenetic alterations at distal enhancer regions allowing AR to recruit cofactors such as MAGEA11, and demonstrates the consequences of AR disruption of WT1 in PCOS endometrium.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W. James
- Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | | | - Lisa Lucini
- Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Kinza Younas
- Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, United Kingdom
- Swansea Bay University Health Board, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - Adnan Bunkheila
- Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, United Kingdom
- Swansea Bay University Health Board, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - Lavinia Margarit
- Swansea University Medical School, Swansea, United Kingdom
- Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, Bridgend, United Kingdom
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Chen A, Handzel A, Sau L, Cui L, Kelley ST, Thackray VG. Metabolic dysregulation and gut dysbiosis linked to hyperandrogenism in female mice. Endocrinol Diabetes Metab 2024; 7:e443. [PMID: 37872876 PMCID: PMC10782063 DOI: 10.1002/edm2.443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine pathology in women. In addition to infertility, women with PCOS have metabolic dysregulation which predisposes them to Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Moreover, women with PCOS have changes in their gut microbial community that may be indicative of dysbiosis. While hyperandrogenism is associated with both the development of metabolic dysfunction and gut dysbiosis in females, the mechanisms involved are not well understood. METHODS We used dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and ovariectomy (OVX) mouse models coupled with metabolic assessments and 16S rRNA gene sequencing to explore the contributions of hyperandrogenism and oestrogen deficiency to the development of insulin resistance and gut microbial dysbiosis in pubertal female mice. RESULTS We demonstrated that, while DHT treatment or OVX alone were insufficient to induce insulin resistance during the pubertal-to-adult transition, combining OVX with DHT resulted in insulin resistance similar to that observed in letrozole-treated mice with elevated testosterone and decreased oestrogen levels. In addition, our results showed that OVX and DHT in combination resulted in a distinct shift in the gut microbiome compared to DHT or OVX alone, suggesting that the substantial metabolic dysregulation occurring in the OVX + DHT model was accompanied by unique changes in the abundances of gut bacteria including S24-7, Rikenellaceae and Mucispirillum schaedleri. CONCLUSIONS While hyperandrogenism plays an important role in the development of metabolic dysregulation in female mice, our results indicate that investigation into additional factors influencing insulin resistance and the gut microbiome during the pubertal-to-adult transition could provide additional insight into the pathophysiology of PCOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie Chen
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive SciencesUniversity of CaliforniaSan Diego, La JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Alex Handzel
- Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics ProgramSan Diego State UniversitySan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Lillian Sau
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive SciencesUniversity of CaliforniaSan Diego, La JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Laura Cui
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive SciencesUniversity of CaliforniaSan Diego, La JollaCaliforniaUSA
| | - Scott T. Kelley
- Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics ProgramSan Diego State UniversitySan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
- Department of BiologySan Diego State UniversitySan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Varykina G. Thackray
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive SciencesUniversity of CaliforniaSan Diego, La JollaCaliforniaUSA
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Ignjatović Đ, Tovilović-Kovačević G, Mićić B, Tomić M, Djordjevic A, Macut D, Vojnović Milutinović D. Effects of early life overnutrition and hyperandrogenism on spatial learning and memory in a rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome. Horm Behav 2023; 153:105392. [PMID: 37295324 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex disorder characterized by endocrine and metabolic abnormalities such as obesity and insulin resistance. PCOS is also associated with psychiatric disorders and cognitive impairment. The animal model of PCOS was induced by treating rats with 5α-dihydrotestosterone (5α-DHT) and additionally modified to induce adiposity by litter size reduction (LSR). Spatial learning and memory were assessed using the Barnes Maze test, and striatal markers of synaptic plasticity were analyzed. Striatal insulin signaling was estimated by the levels of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1), its inhibitory phosphorylation at Ser307, and glycogen synthase kinase-3α/β (GSK3α/β) activity. Both LSR and DHT treatment significantly decreased striatal protein levels of IRS1, followed by increased GSK3α/β activity in small litters. Results of the behavioral study showed that LSR had a negative effect on learning rate and memory retention, whereas DHT treatment did not induce impairment in memory formation. While protein levels of synaptophysin, GAP43, and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95) were not altered by the treatments, DHT treatment induced an increase in phosphorylation of PSD-95 at Ser295 in both normal and small litters. This study revealed that LSR and DHT treatment suppressed insulin signaling by downregulating IRS1 in the striatum. However, DHT treatment did not have an adverse effect on learning and memory, probably due to compensatory elevation in pPSD-95-Ser295, which had a positive effect on synaptic strength. This implies that hyperandrogenemia in this setting does not represent a threat to spatial learning and memory, opposite to the effect of overnutrition-related adiposity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Đurđica Ignjatović
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković" - National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 142 Despot Stefan Blvd., 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Gordana Tovilović-Kovačević
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković" - National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 142 Despot Stefan Blvd., 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Bojana Mićić
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković" - National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 142 Despot Stefan Blvd., 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Mirko Tomić
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković" - National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 142 Despot Stefan Blvd., 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Ana Djordjevic
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković" - National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 142 Despot Stefan Blvd., 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Djuro Macut
- Clinic of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, University Clinical Centre of Serbia, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Dr Subotića 13, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Danijela Vojnović Milutinović
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković" - National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 142 Despot Stefan Blvd., 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
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Mićić B, Djordjevic A, Veličković N, Kovačević S, Martić T, Macut D, Vojnović Milutinović D. AMPK Activation as a Protective Mechanism to Restrain Oxidative Stress in the Insulin-Resistant State in Skeletal Muscle of Rat Model of PCOS Subjected to Postnatal Overfeeding. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1586. [PMID: 37371678 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11061586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrinopathy in women of reproductive age, often associated with obesity and insulin resistance. Childhood obesity is an important predisposing factor for the development of PCOS later in life. Being particularly interested in the interplay between prepubertal obesity and hyperandrogenemia, we investigated the effects of early postnatal overfeeding, accomplished by reducing litter size during the period of suckling, on energy sensing and insulin signaling pathways in the gastrocnemius muscle of a rat model of PCOS-induced by 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The combination of overfeeding and DHT treatment caused hyperinsulinemia and decreased systemic insulin sensitivity. Early postnatal overfeeding induced defects at critical nodes of the insulin signaling pathway in skeletal muscle, which was associated with reduced glucose uptake in the presence of hyperandrogenemia. In this setting, under a combination of overfeeding and DHT treatment, skeletal muscle switched to mitochondrial β-oxidation of fatty acids, resulting in oxidative stress and inflammation that stimulated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity and its downstream targets involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and antioxidant protection. Overall, a combination of overfeeding and hyperandrogenemia resulted in a prooxidative and insulin-resistant state in skeletal muscle. This was accompanied by the activation of AMPK, which could represent a potential therapeutic target in insulin-resistant PCOS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bojana Mićić
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković"-National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 142 Despot Stefan Blvd, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ana Djordjevic
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković"-National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 142 Despot Stefan Blvd, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Nataša Veličković
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković"-National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 142 Despot Stefan Blvd, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Sanja Kovačević
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković"-National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 142 Despot Stefan Blvd, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Teodora Martić
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković"-National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 142 Despot Stefan Blvd, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Djuro Macut
- Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases University Clinical Centre of Serbia, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Doktora Subotića 13, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Danijela Vojnović Milutinović
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković"-National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 142 Despot Stefan Blvd, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia
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Liu M, Hummitzsch K, Bastian NA, Hartanti MD, Irving-Rodgers HF, Anderson RA, Rodgers RJ. Expression of PCOS candidate genes in bovine fetal and adult ovarian somatic cells. REPRODUCTION AND FERTILITY 2022; 3:RAF-22-0068. [PMID: 36346793 PMCID: PMC9782414 DOI: 10.1530/raf-22-0068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine metabolic disorder that appears to have a genetic predisposition and a fetal origin. The fetal ovary has two major somatic cell types shown previously to be of different cellular origins, different morphologies and to differentially express 15 genes. We isolated the somatic gonadal ridge epithelial-like (GREL) cells (n = 7) and ovarian fetal fibroblasts (n = 6) by clonal expansion. Using qRT-PCR, we compared the gene expression levels of PCOS candidate genes with previous data on the expression levels in whole fetal ovaries across gestation. We also compared these levels with those in bovine adult ovarian cells including fibroblasts (n = 4), granulosa cells (n = 5) and surface epithelial cells (n = 5). Adult cell types exhibited clear differences in the expression of most genes. In fetal ovarian cells, DENND1A and ERBB3 had significantly higher expression in GREL cells. HMGA2 and TGFB1I1 tended to have higher expression in fetal fibroblasts than GREL cells. Another 19 genes did not exhibit differences between GREL cells and fetal fibroblasts and FBN3, FSHB, LHCGR, FSHR and ZBTB16 were very lowly expressed in GREL cells and fibroblasts. The culture of fetal fibroblasts in EGF-containing medium resulted in lower expression of NEIL2, but higher expression of MAPRE1 compared to culture in the absence of EGF. Thus, the two fetal ovarian somatic cell types mostly lacked differential expression of PCOS candidate genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menghe Liu
- School of Biomedicine, Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Katja Hummitzsch
- School of Biomedicine, Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Nicole A Bastian
- School of Biomedicine, Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Monica D Hartanti
- School of Biomedicine, Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Trisakti, Jakarta, Indonesia
- National Research and Innovation Agency, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Helen F Irving-Rodgers
- School of Biomedicine, Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, QLD, Australia
| | - Richard A Anderson
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Raymond J Rodgers
- School of Biomedicine, Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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Review of the effects of polycystic ovary syndrome on Cognition: Looking beyond the androgen hypothesis. Front Neuroendocrinol 2022; 67:101038. [PMID: 36154816 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Polycystic-ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age, and many features associated with PCOS - such as elevated androgens, insulin resistance and inflammation - are known to affect cognition. However, effects of PCOS on cognition are not well-understood. Here we review the current literature on PCOS and cognition, note the extent of PCOS symptomatology studied in relation to cognitive outcomes, and identify key research gaps and common methodological concerns. Findings indicate a pattern of worse performance across cognitive domains and brain measures in women with PCOS relative to non-PCOS controls, as well as a lack of evidence for the common assumption that women with PCOS will have higher performance on tasks with a demonstrated male-advantage due to high testosterone levels. We suggest strategies for moving beyond the focus on elevated androgens, in favor of research practices that account for the nuances and heterogeneity of PCOS symptoms.
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Roy S, Abudu A, Salinas I, Sinha N, Cline-Fedewa H, Yaw AM, Qi W, Lydic TA, Takahashi DL, Hennebold JD, Hoffmann HM, Wang J, Sen A. Androgen-mediated Perturbation of the Hepatic Circadian System Through Epigenetic Modulation Promotes NAFLD in PCOS Mice. Endocrinology 2022; 163:6657796. [PMID: 35933634 PMCID: PMC9419696 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqac127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In women, excess androgen causes polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common fertility disorder with comorbid metabolic dysfunctions including diabetes, obesity, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Using a PCOS mouse model, this study shows that chronic high androgen levels cause hepatic steatosis while hepatocyte-specific androgen receptor (AR)-knockout rescues this phenotype. Moreover, through RNA-sequencing and metabolomic studies, we have identified key metabolic genes and pathways affected by hyperandrogenism. Our studies reveal that a large number of metabolic genes are directly regulated by androgens through AR binding to androgen response element sequences on the promoter region of these genes. Interestingly, a number of circadian genes are also differentially regulated by androgens. In vivo and in vitro studies using a circadian reporter [Period2::Luciferase (Per2::LUC)] mouse model demonstrate that androgens can directly disrupt the hepatic timing system, which is a key regulator of liver metabolism. Consequently, studies show that androgens decrease H3K27me3, a gene silencing mark on the promoter of core clock genes, by inhibiting the expression of histone methyltransferase, Ezh2, while inducing the expression of the histone demethylase, JMJD3, which is responsible for adding and removing the H3K27me3 mark, respectively. Finally, we report that under hyperandrogenic conditions, some of the same circadian/metabolic genes that are upregulated in the mouse liver are also elevated in nonhuman primate livers. In summary, these studies not only provide an overall understanding of how hyperandrogenism associated with PCOS affects liver gene expression and metabolism but also offer insight into the underlying mechanisms leading to hepatic steatosis in PCOS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Niharika Sinha
- Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Holly Cline-Fedewa
- Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Alexandra M Yaw
- Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Wenjie Qi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Todd A Lydic
- Collaborative Mass Spectrometry Core, Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | | | - Jon D Hennebold
- Division of Reproductive & Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, USA
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Hanne M Hoffmann
- Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Jianrong Wang
- Department of Computational Mathematics, Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Aritro Sen
- Correspondence: Aritro Sen, PhD, Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Department of Animal Sciences, 766 Service Rd, Interdisciplinary Science & Technology Building, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
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Mićić B, Teofilović A, Djordjevic A, Veličković N, Macut D, Vojnović Milutinović D. AMPK Activation Is Important for the Preservation of Insulin Sensitivity in Visceral, but Not in Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue of Postnatally Overfed Rat Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23168942. [PMID: 36012206 PMCID: PMC9408918 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23168942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a well-known reproductive syndrome usually associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and hyperinsulinemia. Although the first signs of PCOS begin early in adolescence, it is underexplored whether peripubertal obesity predisposes women to PCOS metabolic disturbances. To highlight that, we examined the impact of postnatal overfeeding-induced obesity, achieved by litter size reduction during the suckling period, on metabolic disturbances associated with visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue (VAT and SAT) function in the 5α-dihydrotestosterone (5α-DHT)-induced animal model of PCOS. We analyzed markers of insulin signaling, lipid metabolism, and energy sensing in the VAT and SAT. Our results showed that postnatally overfed DHT-treated Wistar rats had increased VAT mass with hypertrophic adipocytes, together with hyperinsulinemia and increased HOMA index. In the VAT of these animals, insulin signaling remained unchanged while lipogenic markers decreased, which was accompanied by increased AMPK activation. In the SAT of the same animals, markers of lipogenesis and lipolysis increased, while the activity of AMPK decreased. Taken together, obtained results showed that postnatal overfeeding predisposes development of PCOS systemic insulin resistance, most likely as a result of worsened metabolic function of SAT, while VAT preserved its tissue insulin sensitivity through increased activity of AMPK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bojana Mićić
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 142 Despot Stefan Blvd, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ana Teofilović
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 142 Despot Stefan Blvd, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ana Djordjevic
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 142 Despot Stefan Blvd, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Nataša Veličković
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 142 Despot Stefan Blvd, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Djuro Macut
- Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases University Clinical Centre of Serbia, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Doktora Subotića 13, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Danijela Vojnović Milutinović
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, 142 Despot Stefan Blvd, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +381-11-207-8303
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Azumah R, Liu M, Hummitzsch K, Bastian NA, Hartanti MD, Irving-Rodgers HF, Anderson RA, Rodgers RJ. OUP accepted manuscript. Hum Reprod 2022; 37:1244-1254. [PMID: 35413103 PMCID: PMC9156849 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deac049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Could changes in transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signalling during foetal ovary development alter the expression of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) candidate genes leading to a predisposition to PCOS? SUMMARY ANSWER TGFβ signalling molecules are dynamically expressed during foetal ovary development and TGFβ1 inhibits expression of the androgen receptor (AR) and 7 (INSR, C8H9orf3, RAD50, ERBB3, NEIL2, IRF1 and ZBTB16) of the 25 PCOS candidate genes in foetal ovarian fibroblasts in vitro, whilst increasing expression of the AR cofactor TGFβ-induced transcript 1 (TGFB1I1 or Hic5). WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY The ovarian stroma arises from the mesonephros during foetal ovary development. Changes in the morphology of the ovarian stroma are cardinal features of PCOS. The ovary is more fibrous and has more tunica and cortical and subcortical stroma. It is not known why this is and when this arises. PCOS has a foetal origin and perhaps ovarian stroma development is altered during foetal life to determine the formation of a polycystic ovary later in life. PCOS also has a genetic origin with 19 loci containing 25 PCOS candidate genes. In many adult tissues, TGFβ is known to stimulate fibroblast replication and collagen deposition in stroma, though it has the opposite effect in the non-scaring foetal tissues. Our previous studies showed that TGFβ signalling molecules [TGFβs and their receptors, latent TGFβ binding proteins (LTBPs) and fibrillins, which are extracellular matrix proteins that bind LTBPs] are expressed in foetal ovaries. Also, we previously showed that TGFβ1 inhibited expression of AR and 3 PCOS candidate genes (INSR, C8H9orf3 and RAD50) and stimulated expression of TGFB1I1 in cultured foetal ovarian fibroblasts. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION We used Bos taurus for this study as we can ethically collect foetal ovaries from across the full 9-month gestational period. Foetal ovaries (62–276 days, n = 19) from across gestation were collected from pregnant B. taurus cows for RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analyses. Foetal ovaries from B. taurus cows were collected (160–198 days, n = 6) for culture of ovarian fibroblasts. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS RNA-seq transcriptome profiling was performed on foetal ovaries and the data on genes involved in TGFβ signalling were extracted. Cells were dispersed from foetal ovaries and fibroblasts cultured and treated with TGFβ1. The effects of TGFβ regulation on the remaining eight PCOS candidate genes not previously studied (ERBB3, MAPRE1, FDFT1, NEIL2, ARL14EP, PLGRKT, IRF1 and ZBTB16) were examined. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Many TGFβ signalling molecules are expressed in the foetal ovary, and for most, their expression levels increased accross gestation (LTBP1/2/3/4, FBN1, TGFB2/3, TGFBR2/3 and TGFB1I1), while a few decreased (FBN3, TGFBR3L, TGFBI and TGFB1) and others remained relatively constant (TGFBRAP1, TGFBR1 and FBN2). TGFβ1 significantly decreased expression of PCOS candidate genes ERBB3, NEIL2, IRF1 and ZBTB16 in cultured foetal ovarian fibroblasts. LARGE SCALE DATA The FASTQ files, normalized data and experimental information have been deposited in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) accessible by accession number GSE178450. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Regulation of PCOS candidate genes by TGFβ was carried out in vitro and further studies in vivo are required. This study was carried out in bovine where foetal ovaries from across all of the 9-month gestational period were available, unlike in the human where it is not ethically possible to obtain ovaries from the second half of gestation. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS From our current and previous results we speculate that inhibition of TGFβ signalling in the foetal ovary is likely to (i) increase androgen sensitivity by enhancing expression of AR, (ii) increase stromal activity by stimulating expression of COL1A1 and COL3A1 and (iii) increase the expression of 7 of the 25 PCOS candidate genes. Thus inhibition of TGFβ signalling could be part of the aetiology of PCOS or at least the aetiology of polycystic ovaries. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) Funding was received from Adelaide University China Fee Scholarship (M.L.), Australian Research Training Program (R.A.) and the Faculty of Health and Medical Science Divisional Scholarship (R.A.), Adelaide Graduate Research Scholarships (R.A. and N.A.B.), Australia Awards Scholarship (M.D.H.), Robinson Research Institute Career Development Fellowship (K.H.) and Building On Ideas Grant (K.H.), National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia Centre for Research Excellence in the Evaluation, Management and Health Care Needs of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (N.A.B., M.D.H. and R.J.R.; GTN1078444) and the Centre for Research Excellence on Women’s Health in Reproductive life (R.A., R.J.R. and K.H.; GTN1171592) and the UK Medical Research Council (R.A.A.; grant no. G1100357). The funders did not play any role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript. The authors of this manuscript have nothing to declare and no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research reported.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Katja Hummitzsch
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Nicole A Bastian
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Monica D Hartanti
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Trisakti, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Helen F Irving-Rodgers
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Southport, QLD, Australia
| | - Richard A Anderson
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Raymond J Rodgers
- Correspondence address. Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia. E-mail:
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11
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Aguilera N, Salas-Pérez F, Ortíz M, Álvarez D, Echiburú B, Maliqueo M. Rodent models in placental research. Implications for fetal origins of adult disease. Anim Reprod 2022; 19:e20210134. [PMID: 35493783 PMCID: PMC9037606 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2021-0134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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12
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Ho EV, Shi C, Cassin J, He MY, Nguyen RD, Ryan GE, Tonsfeldt KJ, Mellon PL. Reproductive Deficits Induced by Prenatal Antimüllerian Hormone Exposure Require Androgen Receptor in Kisspeptin Cells. Endocrinology 2021; 162:6371276. [PMID: 34529765 PMCID: PMC8507963 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common reproductive disorder characterized by elevated androgens and antimüllerian hormone (AMH). These hormones remain elevated throughout pregnancy, and potential effects of hormone exposure on offspring from women with PCOS remain largely unexplored. Expanding on recent reports of prenatal AMH exposure in mice, we have fully characterized the reproductive consequences of prenatal AMH (pAMH) exposure throughout the lifespan of first- and second-generation offspring of both sexes. We also sought to elucidate mechanisms underlying pAMH-induced reproductive effects. There is a known reciprocal relationship between AMH and androgens, and in PCOS and PCOS-like animal models, androgen feedback is dysregulated at the level of the hypothalamus. Kisspeptin neurons express androgen receptors and play a critical role in sexual development and function. We therefore hypothesized that pAMH-induced reproductive phenotypes would be mediated by androgen signaling at the level of kisspeptin cells. We tested the pAMH model in kisspeptin-specific androgen receptor knockout (KARKO) mice and found that virtually all pAMH-induced phenotypes assayed are eliminated in KARKO offspring compared to littermate controls. By demonstrating the necessity of androgen receptor in kisspeptin cells to induce pAMH phenotypes, we have advanced understanding of the interactions between AMH and androgens in the context of prenatal exposure, which could have significant implications for children of women with PCOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily V Ho
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Chengxian Shi
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Jessica Cassin
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Michelle Y He
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Ryan D Nguyen
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Genevieve E Ryan
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Karen J Tonsfeldt
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
| | - Pamela L Mellon
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA
- Correspondence: Pamela L. Mellon, PhD, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093-0674, USA.
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13
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Sarahian N, Sarvazad H, Sajadi E, Rahnejat N, Eskandari Roozbahani N. Investigation of common risk factors between polycystic ovary syndrome and Alzheimer's disease: a narrative review. Reprod Health 2021; 18:156. [PMID: 34311759 PMCID: PMC8314638 DOI: 10.1186/s12978-021-01203-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The most common endocrine and metabolic disorders in premenopausal women is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), characterized by hyperandrogenism, chronic anovulation, and/or ultrasound evidence of small ovarian cysts. Obesity and insulin resistance are also the main factors influencing the clinical manifestations of this syndrome. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most typical progressive neurodegenerative disorder of the brain, and recent studies suggest a relationship between endocrinal dysregulation and neuronal loss during AD pathology. AIM This study aimed to evaluate the common risk factors for Alzheimer's and PCOS based on previous studies. Knowing the common risk factors and eliminating them may prevent neurodegenerative Alzheimer's disease in the future. METHOD In this narrative review, international databases, including Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, and the Web of Science, were searched to retrieve the relevant studies. The relevant studies' summaries were categorized to discuss the possible pathways that may explain the association between Alzheimer's and PCOS signs/symptoms and complications. RESULTS According to our research, the factors involved in Alzheimer's and PCOS disorders may share some common risk factors. In patients with PCOS, increased LH to FSH ratio, decreased vitamin D, insulin resistance, and obesity are some of the most important factors that may increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahid Sarahian
- Neuroscience Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hosna Sarvazad
- Clinical Research Development Center, Imam Reza Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Elham Sajadi
- Department of Basic Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Nasrin Rahnejat
- Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Narges Eskandari Roozbahani
- Clinical Research Development Center, Imam Reza Hospital, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
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14
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Roy S, Huang B, Sinha N, Wang J, Sen A. Androgens regulate ovarian gene expression by balancing Ezh2-Jmjd3 mediated H3K27me3 dynamics. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009483. [PMID: 33784295 PMCID: PMC8034747 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Conventionally viewed as male hormone, androgens play a critical role in female fertility. Although androgen receptors (AR) are transcription factors, to date very few direct transcriptional targets of ARs have been identified in the ovary. Using mouse models, this study provides three critical insights about androgen-induced gene regulation in the ovary and its impact on female fertility. First, RNA-sequencing reveals a number of genes and biological processes that were previously not known to be directly regulated by androgens in the ovary. Second, androgens can also influence gene expression by decreasing the tri-methyl mark on lysine 27 of histone3 (H3K27me3), a gene silencing epigenetic mark. ChIP-seq analyses highlight that androgen-induced modulation of H3K27me3 mark within gene bodies, promoters or distal enhancers have a much broader impact on ovarian function than the direct genomic effects of androgens. Third, androgen-induced decrease of H3K27me3 is mediated through (a) inhibiting the expression and activity of Enhancer of Zeste Homologue 2 (EZH2), a histone methyltransferase that promotes tri-methylation of K27 and (b) by inducing the expression of a histone demethylase called Jumonji domain containing protein-3 (JMJD3/KDM6B), responsible for removing the H3K27me3 mark. Androgens through the PI3K/Akt pathway, in a transcription-independent fashion, increase hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1α) protein levels, which in turn induce JMJD3 expression. Furthermore, proof of concept studies involving in vivo knockdown of Ar in the ovary and ovarian (granulosa) cell-specific Ar knockout mouse model show that ARs regulate the expression of key ovarian genes through modulation of H3K27me3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sambit Roy
- Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Department of Animal Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States of America
| | - Binbin Huang
- Department of Computational Mathematics, Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States of America
| | - Niharika Sinha
- Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Department of Animal Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States of America
| | - Jianrong Wang
- Department of Computational Mathematics, Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States of America
| | - Aritro Sen
- Reproductive and Developmental Sciences Program, Department of Animal Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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15
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Gravitte A, Archibald T, Cobble A, Kennard B, Brown S. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry applications for quantification of endogenous sex hormones. Biomed Chromatogr 2020; 35:e5036. [PMID: 33226656 DOI: 10.1002/bmc.5036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Liquid chromatography, coupled with tandem mass spectrometry, presents a powerful tool for the quantification of the sex steroid hormones 17-β estradiol, progesterone and testosterone from biological matrices. The importance of accurate quantification with these hormones, even at endogenous levels, has evolved with our understanding of the role these regulators play in human development, fertility and disease risk and manifestation. Routine monitoring of these analytes can be accomplished by immunoassay techniques, which face limitations on specificity and sensitivity, or using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. LC-MS/MS is growing in capability and acceptance for clinically relevant quantification of sex steroid hormones in biological matrices and is able to overcome many of the limitations of immunoassays. Analyte specificity has improved through the use of novel derivatizing agents, and sensitivity has been refined through the use of high-resolution chromatography and mass spectrometric technology. This review highlights these innovations, among others, in LC-MS/MS steroid hormone analysis captured in the literature over the last decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Gravitte
- James H Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Johnson City, TN, USA
| | - Timothy Archibald
- Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy, East Tennessee State University, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Johnson City, TN, USA
| | - Allison Cobble
- Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy, East Tennessee State University, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Johnson City, TN, USA
| | - Benjamin Kennard
- Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy, East Tennessee State University, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Johnson City, TN, USA
| | - Stacy Brown
- Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy, East Tennessee State University, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Johnson City, TN, USA
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16
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Liu M, Hummitzsch K, Hartanti MD, Rosario R, Bastian NA, Hatzirodos N, Bonner WM, Irving-Rodgers HF, Laven JSE, Anderson RA, Rodgers RJ. Analysis of expression of candidate genes for polycystic ovary syndrome in adult and fetal human and fetal bovine ovaries†. Biol Reprod 2020; 103:840-853. [PMID: 32678441 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) appears to have a genetic predisposition and a fetal origin. We compared the expression levels of 25 PCOS candidate genes from adult control and PCOS human ovaries (n = 16) using microarrays. Only one gene was potentially statistically different. Using qRT-PCR, expression of PCOS candidate genes was examined in bovine fetal ovaries from early stages when they first developed stroma through to completion of development (n = 27; 60-270 days of gestation). The levels of ERBB3 mRNA negatively correlated with gestational age but positively with HMGA2, FBN3, TOX3, GATA4, and DENND1A.X1,2,3,4, previously identified as correlated with each other and expressed early. PLGRKT and ZBTB16, and less so IRF1, were also correlated with AMH, FSHR, AR, INSR, and TGFB1I1, previously identified as correlated with each other and expressed late. ARL14EP, FDFT1, NEIL2, and MAPRE1 were expressed across gestation and not correlated with gestational age as shown previously for THADA, ERBB4, RAD50, C8H9orf3, YAP1, RAB5B, SUOX, and KRR1. LHCGR, because of its unusual bimodal expression pattern, had some unusual correlations with other genes. In human ovaries (n = 15; <150 days of gestation), ERBB3.V1 and ERBB3.VS were expressed and correlated negatively with gestational age and positively with FBN3, HMGA2, DENND1A.V1,3,4, DENND1A.V1-7, GATA4, and FSHR, previously identified as correlated with each other and expressed early. Thus, the general lack of differential expression of candidate genes in adult ovaries contrasting with dynamic patterns of gene expression in fetal ovaries is consistent with a vulnerability to disturbance in the fetal ovary that may underpin development of PCOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Menghe Liu
- Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Katja Hummitzsch
- Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Monica D Hartanti
- Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, Trisakti University, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Roseanne Rosario
- Medical Research Council Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Nicole A Bastian
- Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Nicholas Hatzirodos
- Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Wendy M Bonner
- Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Helen F Irving-Rodgers
- Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, QLD, Australia
| | - Joop S E Laven
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Richard A Anderson
- Medical Research Council Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Raymond J Rodgers
- Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine, Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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17
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Matas D, Doniger T, Sarid S, Asfur M, Yadid G, Khokhlova IS, Krasnov BR, Kam M, Degen AA, Koren L. Sex differences in testosterone reactivity and sensitivity in a non-model gerbil. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 291:113418. [PMID: 32027878 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2020.113418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Although testosterone (T) is a key regulator in vertebrate development, physiology, and behaviour in both sexes, studies suggest that its regulation may be sex-specific. We measured circulating T levels in Baluchistan gerbils (Gerbillus nanus) in the field and in the lab all year round and found no significant sex differences. However, we observed sex differences in circulating T levels following gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) challenge and T implants in this non-model species. Whereas only males elevated T following a GnRH challenge, females had higher serum T concentrations following T implant insertion. These differences may be a result of different points of regulation along the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. Consequently, we examined sex differences in the mRNA expression of the androgen receptor (AR) in multiple brain regions. We identified AR and β-actin sequences in assembled genomic sequences of members of the Gerbillinae, which were analogous to rat sequences, and designed primers for them. The distribution of the AR in G. nanus brain regions was similar to documented expression profiles in rodents. We found lower AR mRNA levels in females in the striatum. Additionally, G. nanus that experienced housing in mixed-sex pairs had higher adrenal AR expression than G. nanus that were housed alone. Regulation of the gerbil HPG axis may reflect evolutionary sex differences in life-history strategies, with males ready to reproduce when receptive females are available, while the possible reproductive costs associated with female T direct its regulation upstream.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devorah Matas
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Tirza Doniger
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Shani Sarid
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Mustafa Asfur
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Gal Yadid
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel; The Leslie and Susan Gonda (Goldschmidt) Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Irina S Khokhlova
- Desert Animal Adaptations and Husbandry, Wyler Department of Dryland Agriculture, French Associates Institute for Agriculture and Biotechnology of Drylands, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, 8499000 Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Boris R Krasnov
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Swiss Institute of Dryland Environmental and Energy Research, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, 8499000 Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Michael Kam
- Desert Animal Adaptations and Husbandry, Wyler Department of Dryland Agriculture, French Associates Institute for Agriculture and Biotechnology of Drylands, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, 8499000 Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - A Allan Degen
- Desert Animal Adaptations and Husbandry, Wyler Department of Dryland Agriculture, French Associates Institute for Agriculture and Biotechnology of Drylands, Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, 8499000 Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Lee Koren
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.
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18
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Could perturbed fetal development of the ovary contribute to the development of polycystic ovary syndrome in later life? PLoS One 2020; 15:e0229351. [PMID: 32078641 PMCID: PMC7032716 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects around 10% of young women, with adverse consequences on fertility and cardiometabolic outcomes. PCOS appears to result from a genetic predisposition interacting with developmental events during fetal or perinatal life. We hypothesised that PCOS candidate genes might be expressed in the fetal ovary when the stroma develops; mechanistically linking the genetics, fetal origins and adult ovarian phenotype of PCOS. In bovine fetal ovaries (n = 37) of 18 PCOS candidate genes only SUMO1P1 was not expressed. Three patterns of expression were observed: early gestation (FBN3, GATA4, HMGA2, TOX3, DENND1A, LHCGR and FSHB), late gestation (INSR, FSHR, and LHCGR) and throughout gestation (THADA, ERBB4, RAD50, C8H9orf3, YAP1, RAB5B, SUOX and KRR1). A splice variant of FSHB exon 3 was also detected early in the bovine ovaries, but exon 2 was not detected. Three other genes, likely to be related to the PCOS aetiology (AMH, AR and TGFB1I1), were also expressed late in gestation. Significantly within each of the three gene groups, the mRNA levels of many genes were highly correlated with each other, despite, in some instances, being expressed in different cell types. TGFβ is a well-known stimulator of stromal cell replication and collagen synthesis and TGFβ treatment of cultured fetal ovarian stromal cells inhibited the expression of INSR, AR, C8H9orf3 and RAD50 and stimulated the expression of TGFB1I1. In human ovaries (n = 15, < 150 days gestation) many of the same genes as in bovine (FBN3, GATA4, HMGA2, FSHR, DENND1A and LHCGR but not TOX3 or FSHB) were expressed and correlated with each other. With so many relationships between PCOS candidate genes during development of the fetal ovary, including TGFβ and androgen signalling, we suggest that future studies should determine if perturbations of these genes in the fetal ovary can lead to PCOS in later life.
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19
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Torres PJ, Skarra DV, Ho BS, Sau L, Anvar AR, Kelley ST, Thackray VG. Letrozole treatment of adult female mice results in a similar reproductive phenotype but distinct changes in metabolism and the gut microbiome compared to pubertal mice. BMC Microbiol 2019; 19:57. [PMID: 30871463 PMCID: PMC6419356 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-019-1425-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A majority of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have metabolic dysfunction that results in an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. We previously developed a pubertal mouse model using the aromatase inhibitor, letrozole, which recapitulates many of the reproductive and metabolic features of PCOS. To further our understanding of the effects of androgen excess, we compared the effects of letrozole treatment initiated in puberty versus adulthood on reproductive and metabolic phenotypes as well as on the gut microbiome. RESULTS Letrozole treatment of both pubertal and adult female mice resulted in reproductive hallmarks of PCOS, including hyperandrogenemia, anovulation and polycystic ovaries. However, unlike pubertal mice, treatment of adult female mice resulted in modest weight gain and abdominal adiposity, minimal elevation in fasting blood glucose and insulin levels, and no detectable insulin resistance. In addition, letrozole treatment of adult mice was associated with a distinct shift in gut microbial diversity compared to letrozole treatment of pubertal mice. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that dysregulation of metabolism and the gut microbiome in PCOS may be influenced by the timing of androgen exposure. In addition, the minimal weight gain and lack of insulin resistance in adult female mice after letrozole treatment indicates that this model may be useful for investigating the effects of hyperandrogenemia on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and the periphery without the influence of substantial metabolic dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro J. Torres
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA USA
| | - Danalea V. Skarra
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA
| | - Bryan S. Ho
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA
| | - Lillian Sau
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA
| | - Arya R. Anvar
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA
| | - Scott T. Kelley
- Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA USA
| | - Varykina G. Thackray
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093 USA
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Thackray VG. Sex, Microbes, and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2019; 30:54-65. [PMID: 30503354 PMCID: PMC6309599 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2018.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Revised: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that sex and sex steroids influence the composition of the gut microbiome. These studies also indicate that steroid regulation of the gut microbiome may play a role in pathological situations of hormonal excess, such as PCOS. Indeed, studies demonstrated that PCOS is associated with decreased alpha diversity and changes in specific Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, previously associated with metabolic dysregulation. These studies suggest that androgens may regulate the gut microbiome in females and that hyperandrogenism may be linked with a gut 'dysbiosis' in PCOS. Future mechanistic studies will be required to elucidate how sex steroids regulate the composition and function of the gut microbial community and what the consequences of this regulation are for the host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varykina G Thackray
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA; http://repro.ucsd.edu/thackray.
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21
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Min Z, Gao Q, Zhen X, Fan Y, Tan T, Li R, Zhao Y, Yu Y. New insights into the genic and metabolic characteristics of induced pluripotent stem cells from polycystic ovary syndrome women. Stem Cell Res Ther 2018; 9:210. [PMID: 30092830 PMCID: PMC6085636 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-018-0950-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 07/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine and metabolic disorder that affects female fertility. However, with the lack of a corresponding research model, the pathology mechanism of PCOS is poorly understood. Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology has been recognized as means to generate patient-specific stem cells for disease modeling. Methods The mRNA abundance of iPSCs was analyzed by RNA microarray and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Karyotyping of iPSCs was performed with cytogenetic analysis. The mitochondrial respiration ability and glycolytic function were measured by the Seahorse Bioscience XF extracellular flux analyzer. The expression of iPSC-associated markers was identified by immunofluorescence and RT-PCR. The teratoma formation of iPSCs was studied using immunochemistry. Results A PCOS patient-derived iPSC model was established from somatic cells of PCOS patients. Through comprehensive transcriptional profiling analysis of the RNA microarray, PCOS patient-derived iPSCs showed metabolic abnormalities and mitochondrial dysfunction compared with non-PCOS patient-derived iPSCs in vitro. Specifically, a total of 2904 genes were differentially expressed between the two iPSC populations, of which 1416 genes were upregulated and 1488 genes were downregulated (fold change > 2, p < 0.01). Gene Ontology (GO) term enrichment results showed that upregulated genes were enriched in metabolic processes and mitochondrial activities which participated in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, the respiratory electron transport chain (ETC), and glycogenolysis. On the other hand, the downregulated genes were related to cell communication, glucose transport, and uptake. The differentially expressed genes were verified by RT-PCR in PCOS patient-derived iPSCs and granulosa cells from PCOS patients. The PCOS patient-derived iPSCs demonstrated decreased mitochondrial respiration ability and glycolytic function (p < 0.05) but increased mitochondrial copy numbers and biogenesis (p < 0.05). Subsequently, some genes related to glucose metabolism were rescued by treating with metformin in PCOS patient-derived iPSCs. Meanwhile, the ATP production ability of mitochondria and the glycolysis ability of PCOS patient-derived iPSCs also partially returned to normal levels. However, metformin had little effect on mitochondrial maximal respiration ability and maximal glycolytic capacity. Conclusions We measured differences in iPSCs from women with and without PCOS in gene transcription and mitochondrial respiratory function. PCOS patient-derived iPSCs showed abnormal expression of metabolic genes and mitochondrial dysfunction in vitro. The study provides a novel cell model in vitro for studying the clinical causes and molecular mechanisms of PCOS. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13287-018-0950-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheying Min
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Qian Gao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Xiumei Zhen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yong Fan
- Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510150, China
| | - Tao Tan
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Rong Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yue Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Yang Yu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology and Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
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22
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Wang Z, Shen M, Xue P, DiVall SA, Segars J, Wu S. Female Offspring From Chronic Hyperandrogenemic Dams Exhibit Delayed Puberty and Impaired Ovarian Reserve. Endocrinology 2018; 159:1242-1252. [PMID: 29315373 PMCID: PMC5793796 DOI: 10.1210/en.2017-03078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 12/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Female offspring of many species exposed to high doses of androgens in utero experience endocrine dysfunction during adulthood. The phenotype of offspring from females with prepregnancy hyperandrogenemia and impaired ovulation, however, has not been examined. We developed a mouse model of hyperandrogenemia by implanting a low-dose dihydrotestosterone (DHT) pellet 15 days before conception. Female offspring born to dams with hyperandrogenemia (DHT daughters) had delayed puberty (P < 0.05) with first estrus on postnatal day (PND) 41 compared with daughters from dams with physiological levels of DHT (non-DHT daughters, PND37.5). Serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in the DHT daughters were fourfold higher (P < 0.05) on PND21, and anti-Müllerian hormone levels were higher (P < 0.05) on PND26 than in non-DHT daughters (controls). DHT daughters showed an extended time in metestrus/diestrus and a shorter time in the proestrus/estrus phase compared with non-DHT daughters (P < 0.05). To examine ovarian response to gonadotropins, superovulation was induced and in vitro fertilization (IVF) was performed. Fewer numbers of oocytes were retrieved from the DHT daughters compared with non-DHT daughters (P < 0.05). At IVF, there was no difference in rates of fertilization or cleavage of oocytes from either group. There were fewer (P < 0.01) primordial follicles (6.5 ± 0.8 vs 14.5 ± 2.1 per ovary) in the ovaries of DHT daughters compared with non-DHT daughters. Daughters from hyperandrogenemic females exhibited elevated prepubertal FSH levels, diminished ovarian response to superovulation, impaired estrous cyclicity, delayed onset of puberty, and reduced ovarian reserve, suggesting that fetal androgen exposure had lasting effects on female reproductive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287
| | - Mingjie Shen
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287
- Department of Gynecology/Obstetrics, Shuguang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 21203, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ping Xue
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287
| | - Sara A. DiVall
- Department of Pediatrics, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, Washington 98105
| | - James Segars
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287
| | - Sheng Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21287
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23
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Abbott DH, Vepraskas SH, Horton TH, Terasawa E, Levine JE. Accelerated Episodic Luteinizing Hormone Release Accompanies Blunted Progesterone Regulation in PCOS-like Female Rhesus Monkeys (Macaca Mulatta) Exposed to Testosterone during Early-to-Mid Gestation. Neuroendocrinology 2018; 107:133-146. [PMID: 29949806 PMCID: PMC7363207 DOI: 10.1159/000490570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Ovarian theca cell hyperandrogenism in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is compounded by androgen receptor-mediated impairment of estradiol and progesterone negative feedback regulation of episodic luteinizing hormone (LH) release. The resultant LH hypersecretion, likely the product of accelerated episodic release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the median eminence of the hypothalamus, hyperstimulates ovarian theca cell steroidogenesis, enabling testosterone (T) and androstenedione excess. Prenatally androgenized (PA) female monkeys exposed to fetal male levels of T during early-to-mid gestation, when adult, demonstrate PCOS-like traits, including high T and LH levels. This study tests the hypothesis that progesterone resistance-associated acceleration in episodic LH release contributes to PA monkey LH excess. METHODS A total of 4 PA and 3 regularly cycling, healthy control adult female rhesus monkeys of comparable age and body mass index underwent (1) a 10 h, frequent intravenous sampling assessment for LH episodic release, immediately followed by (2) IV infusion of exogenous GnRH to quantify continuing pituitary LH responsiveness, and subsequently (3) an SC injection of a progesterone receptor antagonist, mifepristone, to examine LH responses to blockade of progesterone-mediated action. RESULTS Compared to controls, the relatively hyperandrogenic PA females exhibited ~100% increase (p = 0.037) in LH pulse frequency, positive correlation of LH pulse amplitude (p = 0.017) with androstenedione, ~100% greater increase (p = 0.034) in acute (0-10 min) LH responses to exogenous GnRH, and an absence (p = 0.008) of modest LH elevation following acute progesterone receptor blockade suggestive of diminished progesterone negative feedback. CONCLUSION Such dysregulation of LH release in PCOS-like monkeys implicates impaired feedback control of episodic release of hypothalamic GnRH reminiscent of PCOS neuroendocrinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- David H Abbott
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Sarah H Vepraskas
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Teresa H Horton
- Department of Neurobiology and Physiology, Institute for Neuroscience, Center for Reproductive Science, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Ei Terasawa
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jon E Levine
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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Abbott DH, Rayome BH, Dumesic DA, Lewis KC, Edwards AK, Wallen K, Wilson ME, Appt SE, Levine JE. Clustering of PCOS-like traits in naturally hyperandrogenic female rhesus monkeys. Hum Reprod 2017; 32:923-936. [PMID: 28333238 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dex036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Study question Do naturally occurring, hyperandrogenic (≥1 SD of population mean testosterone, T) female rhesus monkeys exhibit traits typical of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)? Summary answer Hyperandrogenic female monkeys exhibited significantly increased serum levels of androstenedione (A4), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP), estradiol (E2), LH, antimullerian hormone (AMH), cortisol, 11-deoxycortisol and corticosterone, as well as increased uterine endometrial thickness and evidence of reduced fertility, all traits associated with PCOS. What is known already Progress in treating women with PCOS is limited by incomplete knowledge of its pathogenesis and the absence of naturally occurring PCOS in animal models. A female macaque monkey, however, with naturally occurring hyperandrogenism, anovulation and polyfollicular ovaries, accompanied by insulin resistance, increased adiposity and endometrial hyperplasia, suggests naturally occurring origins for PCOS in nonhuman primates. Study design, size, duration As part of a larger study, circulating serum concentrations of selected pituitary, ovarian and adrenal hormones, together with fasted insulin and glucose levels, were determined in a single, morning blood sample obtained from 120 apparently healthy, ovary-intact, adult female rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) while not pregnant or nursing. The monkeys were then sedated for somatometric and ultrasonographic measurements. Participants/materials, setting, methods Female monkeys were of prime reproductive age (7.2 ± 0.1 years, mean ± SEM) and represented a typical spectrum of adult body weight (7.4 ± 0.2 kg; maximum 12.5, minimum 4.6 kg). Females were defined as having normal (n = 99) or high T levels (n = 21; ≥1 SD above the overall mean, 0.31 ng/ml). Electronic health records provided menstrual and fecundity histories. Steroid hormones were determined by tandem LC-MS-MS; AMH was measured by enzymeimmunoassay; LH, FSH and insulin were determined by radioimmunoassay; and glucose was read by glucose meter. Most analyses were limited to 80 females (60 normal T, 20 high T) in the follicular phase of a menstrual cycle or anovulatory period (serum progesterone <1 ng/ml). Main results and the role of chance Of 80 monkeys, 15% (n = 12) exhibited classifiable PCOS-like phenotypes. High T females demonstrated elevations in serum levels of LH (P < 0.036), AMH (P < 0.021), A4 (P < 0.0001), 17-OHP (P < 0.008), E2 (P < 0.023), glucocorticoids (P < 0.02-0.0001), the serum T/E2 ratio (P < 0.03) and uterine endometrial thickness (P < 0.014) compared to normal T females. Within the high T group alone, anogenital distance, a biomarker for fetal T exposure, positively correlated (P < 0.015) with serum A4 levels, while clitoral volume, a biomarker for prior T exposure, positively correlated (P < 0.002) with postnatal age. Only high T females demonstrated positive correlations between serum LH, and both T and A4. Five of six (83%) high T females with serum T ≥2 SD above T mean (0.41 ng/ml) did not produce live offspring. Large scale data N/A. Limitations, reasons for caution This is an initial study of a single laboratory population in a single nonhuman primate species. While two biomarkers suggest lifelong hyperandrogenism, phenotypic expression during gestation, prepuberty, adolescence, mid-to-late reproductive years and postmenopause has yet to be determined. Wider implications of the findings Characterizing adult female monkeys with naturally occurring hyperandrogenism has identified individuals with high LH and AMH combined with infertility, suggesting developmental linkage among traits with endemic origins beyond humans. PCOS may thus be an ancient phenotype, as previously proposed, with a definable pathogenic mechanism(s). Study funding/competing interest(s) Funded by competitive supplement to P51 OD011106 (PI: Mallick), by P50 HD028934 (PI: Marshall) and by P50 HD044405 (PI: Dunaif). The authors have no potential conflicts of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- D H Abbott
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.,Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - B H Rayome
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - D A Dumesic
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - A K Edwards
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - K Wallen
- Division of Developmental & Cognitive Neuroscience, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, USA.,Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - M E Wilson
- Division of Developmental & Cognitive Neuroscience, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, USA
| | - S E Appt
- Department of Pathology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, USA
| | - J E Levine
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
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Recabarren SE, Recabarren M, Sandoval D, Carrasco A, Padmanabhan V, Rey R, Richter HG, Perez-Marin CC, Sir-Petermann T, Rojas-Garcia PP. Puberty arises with testicular alterations and defective AMH expression in rams prenatally exposed to testosterone. Domest Anim Endocrinol 2017; 61:100-107. [PMID: 28783504 DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2017.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2017] [Revised: 06/15/2017] [Accepted: 06/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The male gonadal tissue can be a sensitive target to the reprogramming effects of testosterone (T) during prenatal development. We have demonstrated that male lambs born to dams receiving T during pregnancy-a model system to the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)-show a decreased number of germ cells early in life, and when adult, a reduced amount of sperm and ejaculate volume. These findings are a key to put attention to the male offspring of women bearing PCOS, as they are exposed to increased levels of androgen during pregnancy which can reprogram their reproductive outcome. A possible origin of these defects can be a disruption in the expression of the anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), due to its critical role in gonadal function at many postnatal stages. Therefore, we addressed the impact of prenatal T excess on the expression of AMH and factors related to its expression like AP2, SOX9, FSHR, and AR in the testicular tissue through real-time PCR during the peripubertal age. We also analyzed the testicular morphology and quantified the number of Sertoli cells and germ cells to evaluate any further defect in the testicle. Experiments were performed in rams at 24 wk of age, hence, prior puberty. The experimental animals (T-males) consisted of rams born to mothers receiving 30 mg testosterone twice a wk from Day 30 to 90 of pregnancy and then increased to 40 mg until Day 120 of pregnancy. The control males (C-males) were born to mothers receiving the vehicle of the hormone. We found a significant increase in the expression of the mRNA of AMH and SOX9, but not of the AP2, FHSR nor AR, in the T-males. Moreover, T-males showed a dramatic decrease in the number of germ cells, together with a decrease in the weight of their testicles. The findings of the present study show that before puberty, T-males are manifesting clear signs of disruption in the gonadal functions probably due to an alteration in the expression pattern of the AMH gene. The precise way by which T reprograms the expression of AMH gene remains to be established.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Recabarren
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology and Endocrinology (FISENLAB), Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Concepción, Chillán, Chile
| | - M Recabarren
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology and Endocrinology (FISENLAB), Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Concepción, Chillán, Chile
| | - D Sandoval
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology and Endocrinology (FISENLAB), Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Concepción, Chillán, Chile
| | - A Carrasco
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology and Endocrinology (FISENLAB), Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Concepción, Chillán, Chile
| | - V Padmanabhan
- Departments of Pediatrics and the Reproductive Sciences Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - R Rey
- Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr. César Bergadá" (CEDIE), CONICET - FEI - División de Endocrinología, Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Departamento de Biología Celular, Histología, Embriología y Genética, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - H G Richter
- Laboratory of Developmental Chronobiology (LDC), Institute of Anatomy, Histology and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - C C Perez-Marin
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain
| | - T Sir-Petermann
- Laboratory of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Western Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - P P Rojas-Garcia
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology and Endocrinology (FISENLAB), Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Concepción, Chillán, Chile.
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Aliabadi E, Namavar MR, Mortezaee K, Toolee H, Keshtgar S, Mirkhani H, Akbari M, Rastegar T, Solhjoo S. Kisspeptin expression features in the arcuate and anteroventral periventricular nuclei of hypothalamus of letrozole-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome in rats. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2017; 296:957-963. [DOI: 10.1007/s00404-017-4509-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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27
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Skarra DV, Hernández-Carretero A, Rivera AJ, Anvar AR, Thackray VG. Hyperandrogenemia Induced by Letrozole Treatment of Pubertal Female Mice Results in Hyperinsulinemia Prior to Weight Gain and Insulin Resistance. Endocrinology 2017; 158:2988-3003. [PMID: 28911175 PMCID: PMC5659661 DOI: 10.1210/en.2016-1898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2016] [Accepted: 07/11/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) diagnosed with hyperandrogenism and ovulatory dysfunction have an increased risk of developing metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. We previously developed a model that uses letrozole to elevate endogenous testosterone levels in female mice. This model has hallmarks of PCOS, including hyperandrogenism, anovulation, and polycystic ovaries, as well as increased abdominal adiposity and glucose intolerance. In the current study, we further characterized the metabolic dysfunction that occurs after letrozole treatment to determine whether this model represents a PCOS-like metabolic phenotype. We focused on whether letrozole treatment results in altered pancreatic or liver function as well as insulin resistance. We also investigated whether hyperinsulinemia occurs secondary to weight gain and insulin resistance in this model or if it can occur independently. Our study demonstrated that letrozole-treated mice developed hyperinsulinemia after 1 week of treatment and without evidence of insulin resistance. After 2 weeks of letrozole treatment, mice became significantly heavier than placebo mice, demonstrating that weight gain was not required to develop hyperinsulinemia. After 5 weeks of letrozole treatment, mice exhibited blunted glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, insulin resistance, and impaired insulin-induced phosphorylation of AKT in skeletal muscle. Moreover, letrozole-treated mice exhibited dyslipidemia after 5 weeks of treatment but no evidence of hepatic disease. Our study demonstrated that the letrozole-induced PCOS mouse model exhibits multiple features of the metabolic dysregulation observed in obese, hyperandrogenic women with PCOS. This model will be useful for mechanistic studies investigating how hyperandrogenemia affects metabolism in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danalea V. Skarra
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | | | - Alissa J. Rivera
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Arya R. Anvar
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Varykina G. Thackray
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
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Ma X, Hayes E, Biswas A, Seger C, Prizant H, Hammes SR, Sen A. Androgens Regulate Ovarian Gene Expression Through Modulation of Ezh2 Expression and Activity. Endocrinology 2017; 158:2944-2954. [PMID: 28666321 PMCID: PMC5659665 DOI: 10.1210/en.2017-00145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
A substantial amount of evidence suggests that androgen signaling through classical androgen receptors is critical for both normal and pathologic ovarian physiology. Specifically, we and others have shown that, in mouse granulosa cells, androgen actions through both extranuclear and nuclear androgen receptor signaling are critical for normal follicle development and ovulation. Here, we show that androgens through the PI3K/Akt pathway rapidly (within minutes) phosphorylate and inhibit activity of the Polycomb group protein enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (Ezh2). Over the course of 24 to 48 hours, androgens then induce expression of the microRNA miR-101, which targets Ezh2 messenger RNA (mRNA), leading to a nearly complete loss of Ezh2 protein expression. This long-term androgen-induced loss of Ezh2 actions ultimately results in sustained reduction of the H3K27me3-repressive mark in the promoter region of the Runt-related transcription factor-1 (Runx1) gene, a luteinizing hormone (LH)-induced transcription factor essential for ovulation, leading to increased Runx1 mRNA expression. Accordingly, blocking androgen-induced inhibition of Ezh2 in vivo adversely affects LH-induced Runx1 mRNA expression and subsequent ovulation. Importantly, although estrogen treatment of granulosa cells similarly causes rapid activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway and short-term phosphorylation of Ezh2, it does not induce miR-101 expression and thereby does not reduce overall Ezh2 expression, demonstrating the androgen specificity of long-term Ezh2 suppression. Thus, this study provides insight regarding how androgen-induced extranuclear kinase signaling and intranuclear transcription through Ezh2 modifications may influence the expression pattern of genes, ultimately affecting various downstream physiological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoting Ma
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642
| | - Emily Hayes
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642
| | - Anindita Biswas
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642
| | - Christina Seger
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642
| | - Hen Prizant
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642
| | - Stephen R. Hammes
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642
| | - Aritro Sen
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642
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Sánchez-Ferrer ML, Mendiola J, Hernández-Peñalver AI, Corbalán-Biyang S, Carmona-Barnosi A, Prieto-Sánchez MT, Nieto A, Torres-Cantero AM. Presence of polycystic ovary syndrome is associated with longer anogenital distance in adult Mediterranean women. Hum Reprod 2017; 32:2315-2323. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dex274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- María L Sánchez-Ferrer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ‘Virgen de la Arrixaca’ University Clinical Hospital, 30120 El Palmar (Murcia), Spain
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia, IMIB-Arrixaca, 30120 El Palmar (Murcia), Spain
| | - Jaime Mendiola
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia, IMIB-Arrixaca, 30120 El Palmar (Murcia), Spain
- Division of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Murcia School of Medicine, 30100 Espinardo (Murcia), Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana I Hernández-Peñalver
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ‘Virgen de la Arrixaca’ University Clinical Hospital, 30120 El Palmar (Murcia), Spain
| | - Shiana Corbalán-Biyang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ‘Virgen de la Arrixaca’ University Clinical Hospital, 30120 El Palmar (Murcia), Spain
| | - Ana Carmona-Barnosi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ‘Virgen de la Arrixaca’ University Clinical Hospital, 30120 El Palmar (Murcia), Spain
| | - María T Prieto-Sánchez
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ‘Virgen de la Arrixaca’ University Clinical Hospital, 30120 El Palmar (Murcia), Spain
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia, IMIB-Arrixaca, 30120 El Palmar (Murcia), Spain
| | - Aníbal Nieto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ‘Virgen de la Arrixaca’ University Clinical Hospital, 30120 El Palmar (Murcia), Spain
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia, IMIB-Arrixaca, 30120 El Palmar (Murcia), Spain
| | - Alberto M Torres-Cantero
- Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia, IMIB-Arrixaca, 30120 El Palmar (Murcia), Spain
- Division of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Murcia School of Medicine, 30100 Espinardo (Murcia), Spain
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Preventive Medicine, ‘Virgen de la Arrixaca’ University Clinical Hospital, 30120 El Palmar (Murcia), Spain
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30
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Ji SY, Liu XM, Li BT, Zhang YL, Liu HB, Zhang YC, Chen ZJ, Liu J, Fan HY. The polycystic ovary syndrome-associated gene Yap1 is regulated by gonadotropins and sex steroid hormones in hyperandrogenism-induced oligo-ovulation in mouse. Mol Hum Reprod 2017; 23:698-707. [PMID: 28961951 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gax046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Yan Ji
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xiao-Man Liu
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China
- The Key Laboratory for Reproductive Endocrinology of the Ministry of Education, Jinan, Shandong 250001, China
| | - Bo-Tai Li
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yin-Li Zhang
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Hong-Bin Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China
- The Key Laboratory for Reproductive Endocrinology of the Ministry of Education, Jinan, Shandong 250001, China
| | - Yu-Chao Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China
- The Key Laboratory for Reproductive Endocrinology of the Ministry of Education, Jinan, Shandong 250001, China
| | - Zi-Jiang Chen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250021, China
- The Key Laboratory for Reproductive Endocrinology of the Ministry of Education, Jinan, Shandong 250001, China
| | - Junping Liu
- Institute of Aging Research, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Heng-Yu Fan
- Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
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31
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Moore AM, Campbell RE. Polycystic ovary syndrome: Understanding the role of the brain. Front Neuroendocrinol 2017; 46:1-14. [PMID: 28551304 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2017.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Revised: 05/19/2017] [Accepted: 05/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder and the leading cause of anovulatory infertility. Characterised by hyperandrogenism, menstrual dysfunction and polycystic ovaries, PCOS is a broad-spectrum disorder unlikely to stem from a single common origin. Although commonly considered an ovarian disease, the brain is now a prime suspect in both the ontogeny and pathology of PCOS. We discuss here the neuroendocrine impairments present in PCOS that implicate involvement of the brain and review evidence gained from pre-clinical models of the syndrome about the specific brain circuitry involved. In particular, we focus on the impact that developmental androgen excess and adult hyperandrogenemia have in programming and regulating brain circuits important in the central regulation of fertility. The studies discussed here provide compelling support for the importance of the brain in PCOS ontogeny and pathophysiology and highlight the need for a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleisha M Moore
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomical Sciences, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA
| | - Rebecca E Campbell
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology and Department of Physiology, Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand.
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32
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Abbott DH. Neuronal androgen receptor: Molecular gateway to polycystic ovary syndrome? Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:4045-4047. [PMID: 28377515 PMCID: PMC5402428 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1703436114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- David H Abbott
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53715;
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53715
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33
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Sellix MT, Sen A. Finding the Right Balance: Androgens at the Tipping Point of Fertility and Metabolism in Women. Endocrinology 2017; 158:467-469. [PMID: 28430914 PMCID: PMC5460785 DOI: 10.1210/en.2016-1959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2016] [Accepted: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael T Sellix
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642
| | - Aritro Sen
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York 14642
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34
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Paixão L, Ramos RB, Lavarda A, Morsh DM, Spritzer PM. Animal models of hyperandrogenism and ovarian morphology changes as features of polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2017; 15:12. [PMID: 28183310 PMCID: PMC5301391 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-017-0231-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder, affecting 9-18% of women in reproductive age that causes hyperandrogenism and infertility due to dysfunctional follicular maturation and anovulation. The etiology of PCOS is still poorly known, and information from experimental animal models may help improve current understanding of the mechanisms of PCOS initiation and development. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review of currently available methods for simulation of PCOS in experimental models, focusing on two main endocrine traits: ovarian morphology changes and circulating levels of sex hormones and gonadotropins.We searched the MEDLINE database for articles in English or Spanish published until October 2016. Of 933 studies identified, 39 were included in the systematic review. One study compared interventions with androgens versus estrogens, 18 used androgen-induced stimulation, 9 used estrogens or drugs with estrogen action, including endocrine disruptors, to induce PCOS-like models, and 12 used miscellaneous interventions. Broad differences were found among the studies concerning hormonal interventions, animal species, and developmental stage at the time of the experiments, and most models resulted in ovarian morphology changes, mainly increases in the number of cystic and antral follicles and decreases in the corpus luteum. Hyperandrogenism was produced by using androgens and other drugs as the stimulatory agent. However, studies using drugs with estrogenic effect did not observe changes in circulating androgens.In conclusion, medium- or long-term testosterone administration in the pre- and postnatal periods performed best for induction of a PCOS-like phenotype, in rhesus macaque and rat models respectively. In rats, postnatal exposure to androgens results in reprogramming of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian-axis. Thus, comparisons between different intervention models may be useful to define the timing of reproductive PCOS phenotypes in experimental animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Paixão
- 0000 0001 0125 3761grid.414449.8Gynecological Endocrinology Unit, Division of Endocrinology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2350, 90035 003 Porto Alegre, RS Brazil
- 0000 0001 2200 7498grid.8532.cDepartment of Physiology, Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Ramon B. Ramos
- 0000 0001 0125 3761grid.414449.8Gynecological Endocrinology Unit, Division of Endocrinology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2350, 90035 003 Porto Alegre, RS Brazil
| | - Anita Lavarda
- 0000 0001 0125 3761grid.414449.8Gynecological Endocrinology Unit, Division of Endocrinology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2350, 90035 003 Porto Alegre, RS Brazil
| | - Debora M. Morsh
- 0000 0001 0125 3761grid.414449.8Gynecological Endocrinology Unit, Division of Endocrinology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2350, 90035 003 Porto Alegre, RS Brazil
| | - Poli Mara Spritzer
- 0000 0001 0125 3761grid.414449.8Gynecological Endocrinology Unit, Division of Endocrinology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2350, 90035 003 Porto Alegre, RS Brazil
- 0000 0001 2200 7498grid.8532.cDepartment of Physiology, Laboratory of Molecular Endocrinology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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