Regulation of gonadotropin receptors by luteinizing hormone in granulosa cells

Luteinizing Hormone Action in Human Oocyte Maturation and Quality: Signaling Pathways, Regulation, and Clinical Impact

The ovarian follicle luteinizing hormone (LH) signaling molecules that regulate oocyte meiotic maturation have recently been identified. The LH signal reduces preovulatory follicle cyclic nucleotide levels which releases oocytes from the first meiotic arrest. In the ovarian follicle, the LH signal reduces cyclic nucleotide levels via the CNP/NPR2 system, the EGF/EGF receptor network, and follicle/oocyte gap junctions. In the oocyte, reduced cyclic nucleotide levels activate the maturation promoting factor (MPF). The activated MPF induces chromosome segregation and completion of the first and second meiotic divisions. The purpose of this paper is to present an overview of the current understanding of human LH signaling regulation of oocyte meiotic maturation by identifying and integrating the human studies on this topic. We found 89 human studies in the literature that identified 24 LH follicle/oocyte signaling proteins. These studies show that human oocyte meiotic maturation is regulated by the same proteins that regulate animal oocyte meiotic maturation. We also found that these LH signaling pathway molecules regulate human oocyte quality and subsequent embryo quality. Remarkably, in vitro maturation (IVM) prematuration culture (PMC) protocols that manipulate the LH signaling pathway improve human oocyte quality of cultured human oocytes. This knowledge has improved clinical human IVM efficiency which may become a routine alternative ART for some infertile patients.

LH-receptor gene expression in human granulosa and cumulus cells from antral and preovulatory follicles

CONTEXT

Human granulosa cells (GC) acquire LH receptor (LHR) expression during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Currently, the precise follicular stage is unknown, and specific roles of LH in the follicular development are not fully understood.

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to measure LHR gene expression on GC and cumulus cells (CC) from normal human follicles with diameters form 3-20 mm.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS

At a university hospital, GC, CC, and the corresponding follicular fluid (FF) were collected from patients undergoing fertility preservation by having one ovary frozen and patients undergoing infertility treatment.

INTERVENTIONS

Cells and fluids were isolated from surgically excised ovaries or from aspirated preovulatory follicles.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

We evaluated gene expression of LHR, FSHR, androgen receptor (AR), aromatase (CYP19a1), and AMHR2 normalized to the GAPDH expression and associated with FF levels of anti-Mullerian hormone, inhibin-B, and steroids.

RESULTS

LHR expression was maximal in GC from preovulatory follicles before ovulation induction. A majority of 150 antral follicles (3-10 mm in diameter) showed LHR expression at approximately 10% of the maximum, and LHR expression showed significant associations with FSHR, AR, CYP19a1, and AMHR2 and with FF estradiol and progesterone. Levels of FSHR continued to decline in GC as the follicular diameter increased.

CONCLUSIONS

The LHR gene is expressed in GC of human antral follicles throughout the follicular phase and is significantly associated with expression of the CYP19a1 gene and with the corresponding FF concentrations of estradiol and progesterone. LH appears to affect human follicular development during most the follicular phase in normal women.

Ovarian reserve status in young women is associated with altered gene expression in membrana granulosa cells

Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) is a challenging diagnosis of infertility, as there are currently no tests to predict who may become affected with this condition, or at what age. We designed the present study to compare the gene expression profile of membrana granulosa cells from young women affected with DOR with those from egg donors of similar age and to determine if distinct genetic patterns could be identified to provide insight into the etiology of DOR. Young women with DOR were identified based on FSH level in conjunction with poor follicular development during an IVF cycle (n = 13). Egg donors with normal ovarian reserve (NOR) comprised the control group (n = 13). Granulosa cells were collected following retrieval, RNA was extracted and microarray analysis was conducted to evaluate genetic differences between the groups. Confirmatory studies were undertaken with quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). Multiple significant differences in gene expression were observed between the DOR patients and egg donors. Two genes linked with ovarian function, anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and luteinizing hormone receptor (LHCGR), were further analyzed with qRT-PCR in all patients. The average expression of AMH was significantly higher in egg donors (adjusted P-value = 0.01), and the average expression of LHCGR was significantly higher in DOR patients (adjusted P-value = 0.005). Expression levels for four additional genes, progesterone receptor membrane component 2 (PGRMC2), prostaglandin E receptor 3 (subtype EP3) (PTGER3), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), and StAR-related lipid transfer domain containing 4 (StarD4), were validated in a group consisting of five NOR and five DOR patients. We conclude that gene expression analysis has substantial potential to determine which young women may be affected with DOR. More importantly, our analysis suggests that DOR patients fall into two distinct subgroups based on gene expression profiles, indicating that different mechanisms may be involved during development of this pathology.

Differential regulation of gonadotropin receptors by bone morphogenetic proteins in the zebrafish ovary

Follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (fshr) and luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor (lhcgr) exhibit differential temporal expression patterns during zebrafish folliculogenesis with fshr being dominant during vitellogenic growth and lhcgr increasing its expression dramatically before maturation. The dynamic and distinct expression patterns of fshr and lhcgr suggest that they are under tight regulatory control. However, the underlying mechanisms for the differential expression of the two receptors remain unknown. We have recently demonstrated that members of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family are largely expressed in the oocyte, while their receptors are exclusively localized on the follicle cells, suggesting a potential paracrine signaling from the oocyte to the follicle cells by BMPs. In this study, we investigated the effects of zebrafish BMP2b (zfBmp2b) and BMP4 (zfBmp4) on the expression of fshr and lhcgr using a novel co-culture approach. The recombinant zfBmp2b or zfBmp4-producing CHO cells were co-cultured with the zebrafish follicle cells followed by real-time qPCR analysis of fshr and lhcgr expression. Our results showed that zfBmp2b and zfBmp4 both down-regulated fshr, while up-regulated lhcgr expression at 24 h of co-culturing. This finding, together with the high expression level of BMP receptors in the follicle cells prior to oocyte maturation, strongly suggests a potential role for BMPs in the differential expression of fshr and lhcgr, especially in the full-grown follicles before maturation. As BMPs are largely expressed in the oocyte, this also implies an important role for the oocyte in orchestrating the differentiation and function of the follicle cells.

Gonadotropin surge induces two separate increases in messenger RNA for progesterone receptor in bovine preovulatory follicles

In mice deficient in progesterone receptor (PR), follicles of ovulatory size develop but fail to ovulate, providing evidence for an essential role for progesterone and PR in ovulation in mice. However, little is known about the expression and regulation of PR mRNA in preovulatory follicles of ruminant species. One objective of this study was to determine whether and when PR mRNA is expressed in bovine follicular cells during the periovulatory period. Luteolysis and the LH/FSH surge were induced with prostaglandin F(2alpha) and a GnRH analogue, respectively, and the preovulatory follicle was obtained at 0, 3.5, 6, 12, 18, or 24 h after GnRH treatment. RNase protection assays revealed a transient increase in levels of PR mRNA, which peaked at 6 h after GnRH and declined to the time 0 value by 12 h and a second increase at 24 h. The second objective was to investigate the mechanisms that regulate PR mRNA expression through in vitro studies on follicular cells of preovulatory follicles obtained before the LH/FSH surge. Theca and granulosa cells were isolated and cultured with or without a luteinizing dose of LH or FSH, progesterone, LH + progesterone, or LH + antiprogestin (RU486). Levels of PR mRNA increased in a time-dependent manner in granulosa cells cultured with LH or FSH and in theca cells cultured with LH, peaking at 10 h of culture. In contrast, progesterone (200 ng/ml) did not upregulate mRNA for its own receptor, and neither progesterone nor RU486 affected LH-stimulated PR mRNA accumulation. Furthermore, RU486 completely blocked LH-stimulated expression of oxytocin mRNA, indicating that PR induced by LH in vitro is functional. These results show that the gonadotropin surge induces a rapid and transient increase in expression of PR mRNA in both theca and granulosa cells of bovine periovulatory follicles followed by a second rise close to the time of ovulation and that the first increase in PR mRNA can be mimicked in vitro by gonadotropins but not by progesterone. These results suggest multiple and time-dependent roles for progesterone and PR in the regulation of periovulatory events in cattle.

Acute signaling by the LH receptor is independent of protein kinase C activation

LH receptor activation leads to the phosphorylation/activation of p42/44 MAPK in preovulatory granulosa cells. As the LH receptor can activate both adenylyl cyclase and phospholipase C, we hypothesized that the LH receptor could elicit phosphorylation of p42/44 MAPK through activation of protein kinase A (PKA) and/or protein kinase C (PKC). Preovulatory granulosa cells in serum-free primary cultures were treated with ovulatory concentrations of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), an LH receptor agonist, with or without various inhibitors. The PKA inhibitor H89 as well as the myristoylated PKA inhibitor peptide PKI strongly inhibited hCG-stimulated p42/44 MAPK phosphorylation, whereas the PKC inhibitor GF109203X had no effect on p42/44 MAPK phosphorylation. LH receptor-stimulated phosphorylation of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), histone H3, and MAPK kinase (MEK) was also strongly inhibited by H89 and not by GF109203X. The extent of PKC activation was assessed in preovulatory granulosa cells using three criteria: translocation of PKC isoforms to the membrane fraction, phosphorylation of a known PKC substrate, and autophosphorylation of PKC delta on an activation-related site. By all three criteria PKCs were partially activated before hCG stimulation, and hCG treatment failed to elicit further PKC activation, in vitro or in vivo. Taken together, these results indicate that, under primary culture conditions where physiological levels of signaling proteins are present, hCG signals to activate MEK, p42/44 MAPK, CREB, and histone H3 in a predominantly PKA-dependent and PKC-independent manner. Unexpectedly, PKCs were partially activated in the absence of LH receptor activation, and LH receptor activation did not elicit further detectable PKC activation.

B-type natriuretic peptide receptor expression and activity are hormonally regulated in rat ovarian cells

Natriuretic peptides form a family of structurally related peptides known to regulate salt and water homeostasis and to cause vasodilation. Synthesis of atrial (ANP), brain (BNP), and C-type (CNP) natriuretic peptides occurs mainly in the heart and brain and has been identified recently in the female reproductive tract. The expression of ANP and CNP as well as their cognate guanylyl cyclase receptors (NPR-A and NPR-B, respectively) have been detected in the rat ovary. We have shown previously that the expression of the natriuretic peptides and their receptors in the rat ovary appears to be modulated by the estrous cycle. In the present study we have evaluated the expression of the natriuretic peptide system (peptide and receptor) in ovarian cells (granulosa and thecal-interstitial cells) obtained from immature female rats treated with either diethylstilbestrol (DES), an estrogen analog, or equine CG (eCG), a gonadotropin that possesses both LH and FSH activity. Using a whole cell RRA, we found that CNP binding was increased by 2-fold in granulosa cells taken from animals treated with either DES or eCG. Semiquantitative RT-PCR revealed that granulosa cells from DES- or eCG-treated animals have increased levels of NPR-B messenger RNA (mRNA) transcripts, which was in good agreement with the increased binding. The activity of the receptors was assessed by ligand-dependent stimulation of cGMP release. CNP, but not ANP, stimulated the release of cGMP from granulosa cells obtained from DES-treated, but not from eCG-treated, animals. The relative levels of CNP mRNA in granulosa cells were unaltered by either DES or eCG treatment. In contrast, CNP mRNA levels were increased more than 2-fold, but only in theca-interstitial from the eCG-treated animals. Our results indicate that CNP and NPR-B are expressed in the ovary, and their expression is responsive to hormonal treatments. Furthermore, expression of these components of the natriuretic peptide system appears to be compartmentalized, with CNP being derived from the extrafollicular compartment and acting, through NPR-B, on the granulosa cells.

beta-arrestin-dependent desensitization of luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor is prevented by a synthetic peptide corresponding to the third intracellular loop of the receptor

Desensitization is a ubiquitous response of guanine nucleotide-binding protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) characterized by the waning of effector activity despite continued presence of agonist. Binding of an arrestin to the activated, often phosphorylated GPCR triggers desensitization. We reported for the luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor (LH/CG R) that beta-arrestin tightly bound to porcine ovarian follicular membranes mediates agonist-dependent desensitization of LH/CG R-stimulated adenylyl cyclase (AC) activity (Mukherjee, S., Palczewski, K., Gurevich, V. V., Benovic, J. L., Banga, J. P., and Hunzicker-Dunn, M. (1999) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 96, 493-498). We now show that addition of a synthetic peptide corresponding to the entire third intracellular loop (3i) of the LH/CG R completely and specifically reverses desensitization of AC activity, with an ED50 of 10 microM but does not modulate basal, hCG-stimulated, or forskolin-stimulated AC activities. beta-Arrestin binds selectively to the 3i peptide coupled to activated Sepharose. Desensitization of LH/CG R-stimulated AC activity is rescued when the 3i peptide is preincubated with exogenous beta-arrestin. These results show that endogenous beta-arrestin participates in cell-free desensitization of agonist-dependent LH/CG R-stimulated AC activity in follicular membranes by interacting directly with the 3i loop of the receptor, thereby preventing Gs activation.

A direct role for arrestins in desensitization of the luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor in porcine ovarian follicular membranes

The luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin (LH/CG) receptor (R) is a heptahelical R that, upon agonist binding, activates the stimulatory guanine nucleotide-binding protein (Gs) and the downstream effector adenylyl cyclase (AC). Like other G protein-coupled Rs, the LH/CG R subsequently exhibits reduced agonist-dependent effector activity, or desensitization, in response to saturating agonist. Unlike desensitization of many other G protein-coupled Rs, the in vivo desensitization response of LH/CG R-stimulated AC activity of ovarian follicles to the preovulatory surge of LH can be mimicked under cell-free conditions. Based on evidence that porcine ovarian follicular membranes unexpectedly contained beta-arrestin-1, the role of arrestins in desensitization of the LH/CG R was investigated. Results showed that neutralizing arrestin antibodies blocked the development of desensitization and that desensitization was rescued with a synthetic peptide corresponding to the antibody-binding epitope on beta-arrestin-1. These results suggest that endogenous beta-arrestin-1 participates in agonist-dependent desensitization of the LH/CG R. Addition of recombinant purified beta-arrestin-1 mimicked human chorionic gonadotrophin to promote desensitization of human chorionic gonadotrophin-stimulated AC activity, in the presence of the ATP phosphorylation antagonist adenylyl-imidodiphosphate, with an ED50 of approximately 0.1 nM. Increased levels of an 87-kDa protein reactive with glycoprotein hormone R-reactive antibody, consistent with the LH/CG R, coimmunoprecipitated with follicular membrane beta-arrestin-1 in response to LH/CG R activation compared with unactivated R. Taken together, these results show that ovarian follicles contain membrane-associated beta-arrestin-1, that beta-arrestin-1 participates in agonist-dependent desensitization of the LH/CG R, and that the trigger for beta-arrestin-1 binding to the LH/CG R appears to be R activation.

Cystine knot of the gonadotropin alpha subunit is critical for intracellular behavior but not for in vitro biological activity

The common alpha subunit of glycoprotein hormones contains five disulfide bonds. Based on the published crystal structure, the assignments are 7-31, 59-87, 10-60, 28-82, and 32-84; the last three comprise the cystine knot, a structure also seen in a variety of growth factors. Previously, we demonstrated that the efficiency of secretion and the ability to form heterodimers by alpha subunits bearing single cysteine residue mutants in the cystine knot were significantly reduced. These results suggested that the cystine knot is critical for the intracellular integrity of the subunit. To assess if the presence of the free thiol affected the secretion kinetics, we constructed paired cysteine mutants of each disulfide bond of the alpha subunit. The secretion rate for these monomers was comparable with wild type except for the alpha-10-60 mutant, which was 40% lower. The recovery of the alpha7-31 and alpha59-87 mutants was greater than 95%, whereas for the cystine knot mutants, it was 20-40%. Co-expression of the wild-type chorionic gonadotropin beta subunit with double cysteine mutants did not enhance the recovery of alpha mutants in the media. Moreover, compared with wild-type, the efficiency of heterodimer formation of the alpha10-60 or alpha32-84 mutants was less than 5%. Because subunit assembly is required for biological activity, studies on the role of these disulfide bonds in signal transduction were not possible. To bypass the assembly step, we exploited the single chain model, where the alpha and beta subunits are genetically fused. The recovery of secreted tethered gonadotropins bearing mutations in the cystine knot was increased significantly. Although dimer-specific monoclonal antibodies discriminated the conformation of single chain alpha10-60 and alpha32-84 mutants from the native heterodimer, these mutants were nevertheless biologically active. Thus, individual bonds of cystine knot are important for secretion and heterodimer formation but not for in vitro bioactivity. Moreover, the data suggest that the native heterodimer configuration is not a prerequisite for receptor binding or signal transduction.

Design of stable biologically active recombinant lutropin analogs

Glycoprotein hormones are noncovalent heterodimers comprised of a common alpha subunit and a hormone-specific beta subunit. Secretion and biologic action of these hormones are dependent on the formation of the heterodimer. The human LH beta subunit is unique among the other beta subunits in that it assembles inefficiently with the alpha subunit. To bypass this rate-limiting step, we constructed the LH single chains where the carboxy terminus of beta was fused to the amino terminus of alpha subunit through a linker. Compared to the human LH heterodimer, the extent of secretion was greater for the tethers although the rate was dependent on the nature of the linker. The LH single chains were biologically active even though there was loss of recognition by a LH-specific monoclonal antibody. This suggests that receptor binding of the single chains is not impaired by changes in the heterodimeric configuration resulting from tethering the subunits. In addition, single chains exhibited a remarkably greater in vitro stability than the heterodimer, implying that these analogs will be useful as diagnostic reagents and that their purification will be facilitated.

Evaluation of subunit truncation and the nature of the spacer for single chain human gonadotropins

Three single chain gonadotropins were designed based on the three-dimensional-structure of human choriogonadotropin and structure/activity relationships of the glycoprotein hormones. In each single chain, the C-terminal end of the human choriogonadotropin beta subunit is connected via Ser-Gly repeats to the N-terminal end of the alpha subunit. In addition, two of the single chains have truncated subunits. The three mutants were expressed in CHO cells. In vitro binding of two of the three mutants to the human lutropin/choriogonadotropin receptor was found to be comparable to wild-type lutropin. In contrast, both the receptor binding and the in vitro bioactivity of the mutant with truncated alpha and beta subunits in which the beta:26-110 disulphide bond cannot be formed, are lowered relative to wild-type lutropin. The fact that this mutant still displays biological activity shows that the seat-belt arrangement proposed by Isaacs and coworkers [Lapthorn, A. J., Harris, D. C., Littlejohn, A., Lustbader, J. W., Canfield, R. E., Machin, K. J.. Morgan, F. J. & Isaacs, N. W. (1994) Nature 369, 455-461] is important but not essential for receptor binding and biological activity in the context of single chain gonadotropins. Single chains in which Ser-Gly spacers are combined with truncated subunits, provide an attractive approach towards the design and generation of novel, biologically active gonadotropins.

Circulating luteinizing hormone receptor inhibitor(s) in boys with chronic renal failure

Patients with chronic renal failure frequently have hypogonadism. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved, we tested the ability of serum from these patients to inhibit recombinant human luteinizing hormone receptors. Using a cell line expressing functional human luteinizing hormone receptors, we found that adenosine 3'5'-monophosphate (cAMP) production was markedly inhibited by sera from the patients, but not by sera from healthy subjects. Inhibition of cAMP production was associated with inhibition of 125I-human chorionic gonadotropin binding. Inhibition of LH receptors by sera from patients correlated with the glomerular filtration rate and after renal allograft transplantation, decreased. Fractionation of serum samples indicated the receptor-inhibiting activity in proteins of molecular weights from 30,000 to 60,000 Daltons. When characterized and purified, the factor responsible may well be a new LH receptor antagonist of clinical significance.

Expression of biologically active fusion genes encoding the common alpha subunit and the follicle-stimulating hormone beta subunit. Role of a linker sequence

The gonadotropin/thyrotropin hormone family is characterized by a heterodimeric structure composed of a common alpha subunit noncovalently linked to a hormone-specific beta subunit. The conformation of the heterodimer is essential for controlling secretion, hormone-specific post-translational modifications, and signal transduction. Structure-function studies of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and the other glycoprotein hormones are often hampered by mutagenesis-induced defects in subunit combination. Thus, the ability to overcome the limitation of subunit assembly would expand the range of structure-activity relationships that can be performed on these hormones. Here we converted the FSH heterodimer to a single chain by genetically fusing the carboxyl end of the FSH beta subunit to the amino end of the alpha subunit in the presence or absence of a linker sequence. In the absence of the CTP linker, the secretion rate was decreased over 3-fold. Unexpectedly, however, receptor binding/signal transduction was unaffected by the absence of the linker. These data show that the single-chain FSH was secreted efficiently and is biologically active and that the conformation determinants required for secretion and biologic activity are not the same.

Biosynthesis of a biologically active single peptide chain containing the human common alpha and chorionic gonadotropin beta subunits in tandem

One of the distinguishing features of the gonadotropin and thyrotropin hormone family is their heterodimeric structure, consisting of a common alpha subunit and a hormone-specific beta subunit. Subunit assembly is vital to the function of these hormones: The conformation of the heterodimer is essential for controlling secretion, hormone-specific posttranslational modifications, and signal transduction. To address whether alpha and beta subunits can be synthesized as one chain and also maintain biological activity, a chimera composed of the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) beta subunit genetically fused to the alpha subunit was constructed. The resulting polypeptide hCG molecule not only was efficiently secreted but also displayed an increased biological activity in vitro and in vivo. These data show that the alpha and hCG beta subunits encoded as a single chain retain a biologically active conformation similar to that seen in the heterodimer. This approach can be used to investigate structure-function relationships of the glycoprotein hormone family that were previously not tractable because of the absolute dependence on assembly for the biological response. Moreover, other bioactive multisubunit ligands can be engineered where the combination efficiency and specificity of heterodimers and homodimers are otherwise difficult to control.

Regulation of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor messenger ribonucleic acid levels in cultured rat granulosa cells

The acquisition of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) receptors during follicogenesis is believed to be a key event in the subsequent development of the follicle. We have examined the effect of FSH on FSH receptor mRNA in cultured rat granulosa cells by means of FSH receptor cRNA probe. Northern blot analysis indicated the existence of two predominant FSH receptor mRNA transcripts of approximately 5.5 and 2.4 kb in total RNA prepared from rat granulosa cells. Treatment of granulosa cell culture with FSH resulted in tentative suppression of FSH receptor mRNA level 2-6 h after treatment, with subsequent recovery at 24 h. Culture of granulosa cells for 6 h in the presence of increasing concentration of FSH resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in FSH receptor mRNA with a maximal suppression about 50% of control observed in response to 100 ng/ml FSH. We could not detect a similar effect on FSH receptor mRNA by 8-brom-adenosine 3,5-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cAMP; 0.2 mM) which showed continuous stimulation on FSH receptor mRNA during a similar time course. In this system, therefore, this transient down-regulation of FSH mRNA was not mediated by the cAMP pathway. Since the inhibitory effect of follistatin on activin-induced FSH binding to rat granulosa cells had been investigated, we studied the action of follistatin on the levels of activin-induced FSH receptor mRNA in rat granulosa cell culture.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Changes in luteinizing hormone receptors in the granulosa and theca layers of the ovarian follicle during follicular maturation in the Japanese quail

Attempts were made to reveal changes in number and affinity of LH receptors in the avian ovary during the course of the final maturation of follicles. First, we characterized the hormone binding properties of LH receptors in ovarian follicles of the Japanese quail by incubating a crude plasma membrane preparation of follicle layer with radioiodinated chicken LH prepared by a recently devised method. Specific LH receptors with common binding properties were detected in both granulosa and theca layers of large preovulatory follicles. The binding affinity of the receptors in the quail ovary to chicken LH (Ka: 2.9-17.2 x 10(9) M-1) was similar to that of gonadal LH receptors of other vertebrates. Optimal temperature and pH for the binding of chicken LH to the receptors of quail were also similar to those reported for LH receptors of mammals. Secondly, we compared the bindings of chicken LH to the receptors in the follicular layers of the largest three follicles. Specific binding to the crude plasma membrane preparation of the theca layer differed slightly between the third and second largest follicles, but decreased abruptly to about one-third in the largest follicle that was expected to ovulate within 24 hr. This change was explained mainly by a decrease in the number of receptors. The specific binding of chicken LH to receptors in the granulosa layer did not differ significantly among the largest three follicles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The effect of H-2 region and genetic background on hormone-induced ovulation rate, puberty, and follicular number in mice

We have examined the effects of major histocompatibility (H-2) haplotypes and genetic background (all loci other than the H-2 region) on hormone-induced ovulation rate in congenic strains of mice. In comparison with the H-2a haplotype, the H-2b haplotype increased hormone-induced ovulation rate 92% on the A/J (A) genetic background. However, H-2 haplotype did not affect hormone-induced ovulation rate on the C57BL/10J (C57) genetic background. The H-2b-linked gene(s) increased hormone-induced ovulation rate on the A/J genetic background largely by (1) enhancing the maturation of follicles in response to pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) and (2) altering the stages of follicular development which can be induced to ovulate in response to human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). The observed effects of H-2 on hormone-induced ovulation rate were not explained by differences in the timing of puberty, the number of follicles present in untreated females, or the incidence of follicular atresia. The effect of genetic background on hormone-induced ovulation rate was much greater than was the effect of the H-2 region. We found that hormone-induced ovulation rate was five- to six-fold higher on the C57 genetic background than on the A genetic background. The C57 genetic background increased hormone-induced ovulation rate by (1) enhancing the induction of follicular maturation in response to gonadotropins and (2) by reducing the incidence of follicular atresia.

Regulation of LH/hCG receptor by gonadotropins in rat ovary

To investigate the regulation of the LH/hCG receptor gene by gonadotropins, we examined the effect of PMSG and hCG on the expression of LH/hCG receptor in immature rat ovary. Northern blot analysis of ovarian RNA revealed a major mRNA of 5400 nucleotides and minor species of 7500, 3600, 2300, and 1200 nucleotides, and PMSG treatment slightly increased the intensity of all LH/hCG receptor messengers. Subsequently, hCG treatment decreased the number of LH/hCG receptor by day 2 and mRNA levels by 12h after injection. The level of mRNA recovered and increased 5-fold of control by day 6, then returned to control levels by day 10, followed by slower decline in LH/hCG receptor in plasma membrane. These studies demonstrate that the effects of PMSG and hCG on the number of LH/hCG receptor are closely related to the actions of these hormones on LH/hCG receptor messenger levels.

Metabolism of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene by different types of cells in the human ovary

1. The metabolism of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) by primary cultures of human ovarian cells has been studied to identify the cell type(s) responsible for biotransformation of this carcinogen. The rate of DMBA metabolism was maximal in granulosa cells prestimulated in vivo with antiestrogen, hMG (human menopausal gonadotropin) and hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), i.e., treatments required for maximal oocyte maturation and, thus, granulosa cell proliferation. In cells from unstimulated ovaries, the metabolism was maximal in granulosa-lutein cells isolated from corpus luteum. 2. Steroid (progesterone and estradiol) levels were determined in the spent culture media or in media in parallel with DMBA metabolism to find out whether elevated steroid levels in vivo are required for the rapid metabolism of DMBA. In granulosa cell cultures from stimulated cycles, the concentrations of both progesterone and estradiol were at least 2 or 3 times higher, respectively, than in any of the other cell types tested. In cell cultures derived from unstimulated ovaries, the progesterone and estradiol concentrations were highest in granulosa-lutein cell cultures. 3. Incubations of granulosa cells with DMBA in the absence or presence of gonadotropins, testosterone or anti--hCG were performed to investigate possible hormonal requirements for the cytochrome P-450 system(s) which metabolize DMBA. No change in the rate of metabolism was obtained with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), hCG or testosterone. However, anti-hCG increased this activity about 70%, indicating a negative modulatory role of hCG on DMBA mono-oxygenase activity in human granulosa cells. 4. DMBA mono-oxygenase activity in cell cultures was inhibited about 95% by alpha-naphthoflavone (ANF), an inhibitor of certain cytochrome P-450-catalysed activities. Benzo(a)pyrene (BP) was metabolized at the same rate as DMBA in granulosa cell cultures.

Ovarian steroid production in rats treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone during early pregnancy

In the pregnant rat, luteinizing hormone (LH) stimulates the ovarian production of testosterone (T) which is aromatized to estradiol (E2). E2 promotes progesterone (P) synthesis by the ovary. To determine if the administration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) disrupts pregnancy by suppressing ovarian steroid production, rats were treated on days 7-12 of pregnancy with 25, 50 or 100 micrograms/day of GnRH or 0.2, 1 or 5 micrograms/day of a GnRH agonist (GnRH-Ag). The higher two doses of GnRH or GnRH-Ag within 24 h suppressed peripheral levels of plasma P and terminated pregnancy within 48 h. By day 12, P levels in the ovarian vein in rats treated with GnRH or GnRH-Ag in respective doses were 2098 +/- 261, 732 +/- 437, 110 +/- 15, and 2575 +/- 463, 49 +/- 9, 43 +/- 8 compared to 1833 +/- 433 ng/ml in controls. Daily treatment of P (4 mg) and E2 (0.5 microgram) simultaneously with GnRH-Ag at its maximum dose reversed the abortifacient effect of GnRH-Ag and maintained pregnancy. Peripheral levels of Plasma LH in all groups were higher than controls on days 10 and 12. Ovarian vein levels of T on days 10 or 12 of pregnancy were either not significantly different from controls (at 2703 +/- 607 or 3249 +/- 690 pg/ml, respectively) or increased dramatically to 9547 +/- 1769 on day 10 and to 5985 +/- 1426 pg/ml on day 12 in rats treated with 0.2 microgram of GnRH-Ag. Similarly, ovarian vein levels of E2 on days 10 or 12 were either not significantly different from controls (at 2022 +/- 227 or 2793 +/- 184 pg/ml, respectively) or increased dramatically to 2980 +/- 58 pg/ml on day 10 in rats treated with 25 micrograms of GnRH or to 3296 +/- 241 on day 10 and to 3420 +/- 325 pg/ml on day 12 in rats treated with 0.2 microgram of GnRH-Ag. These results indicate that the abortifacient effect of GnRH administration in rats is not due to its effect on the uterus, but to its suppressive effects on ovarian P secretion. There was no evidence to show that a GnRH-induced fall in ovarian secretion of either T or E2 were involved in this process.

Processing of follitropin and its receptor by cultured pig Sertoli cells. Effect of monensin

Immature pig Sertoli cells, cultured in a chemically defined medium, are able to maintain many of their functional characteristics for at least two weeks. This model was used to investigate the binding, internalization and degradation of 125I-labelled human follitropin (hFSH) and the effects of pig FSH (pFSH) on its own receptors. The binding of 125I-labelled hFSH was dependent on time, temperature and concentration. At 4 degrees C, the apparent steady state was reached in 8-12 h and remained constant for at least 24 h, whereas at 33 degrees C the apparent equilibrium was reached in 4-6 h. Thereafter the total binding declined and by 24 h it was less than 50% of the maximum binding. At 33 degrees C the binding for the hormone to its surface receptor was followed by internalization of the hormone (half-life approximately equal to 1 h) and its degradation (half-life approximately equal to 3 h). The receptor-mediated internalization of hFSH was blocked by phenylarsine oxide. In the presence of the ionophore monensin (20 microM) the rates of binding and internalization were not modified but the degradation rate was much lower (half-life approximately equal to 18 h). Thus, in the presence of monensin, maximum binding increased twofold to threefold, and remained constant for 24 h. This increase was mainly due to an increase of the internalized hormone. When Sertoli cells were exposed to pFSH there was a loss of its own receptor, which was both dose-dependent (ED50 = 250 ng/ml) and time-dependent (t 1/2 = 14 h). Cycloheximide did not modify the FSH-induced down-regulation, whereas monensin enhanced the down-regulation process. These results show that FSH, like other ligands, is internalized and degraded by its target cells and indicate that the hormone-mediated down-regulation is related to the internalization process. However, the discrepancy between the rate of internalization and of hormone-induced down-regulation, suggests that some of the internalized receptors are recycled.

Tay-Sachs disease associated with precocious puberty

A girl with Tay-Sachs disease developed enlargement of the mammary glands at the age of 4 years and menstruation at the age of 6 years. It was demonstrated that the precocious puberty in this patient was due to the hypersecretion of gonadotropins.

Effect of androgens and gonadotropins on progesterone secretion of chicken granulosa cells

A culture system has been used to study the effect of PMSG in vivo pretreatment and androgens on the in vitro secretion of progesterone from avian granulosa cells. PMSG in vivo pretreated cells secreted greater amounts of progesterone than did cells obtained from untreated hens. Testosterone and 5-alpha-dihydrotestosterone significantly increased basal progesterone secretion in PMSG pretreated cells as well as in granulosa cells harvested from non-treated hens. Testosterone or 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone in combination with FSH or LH were additive and never resulted in a synergistic stimulation of progesterone secretion.

Modulation of prolactin receptors in cultured rat granulosa cells by FSH, LH and GnRH

The hormonal modulation of prolactin (PRL)-binding capacity of rat granulosa cells was studied. Granulosa cells obtained from immature, hypophysectomized, estrogen-treated rats were cultured for 2 days in a serum-free medium in the presence of various hormones. FSH treatment in vitro stimulated granulosa cell PRL-binding capacity by approximately 4-6-fold in a dose-dependent manner. Concomitant treatment with 10-8 M GnRH inhibited the FSH-induced increase in PRL-binding capacity by 64%. In contrast, the inhibitory effect of GnRH was blocked by concomitant treatment with 10-6 M of a GNRH antagonists, [D-pGlu1, D-Phe2, D-Trp3,6]GnRH. PRL-binding capacity was also increased (approximately 2-fold) by in vitro treatment with cholera toxin (10 microgram/ml). In granulosa cells pre-treated with FSH in vitro for 2 days, hCG treatment for 2 additional days stimulated PRL-binding capacity in a dose-dependent manner (approximately 2-fold). Likewise, treatment with LH (100 ng/ml) also stimulated PRL-binding capacity by approximately 2-fold. These in vitro studies demonstrated that gonadotropins (FSH, LH and hCG) directly enhanced PRL binding by granulosa cells, whereas GnRH inhibited FSH action.

Dissociation of human choriogonadotropin from the pseudopregnant rat ovary as a complex to a receptor fragment during perifusion and incubation

Pseudopregnant rats were injected intravenously with radioactively-labelled human choriogonadotropin (CG). The animals were killed 2 h after the injection and the ovaries, liver and kidney were subjected to perifusion. Radioactivity was released from the ovaries at an increasing rate during perifusion, mainly in a complex form with a molecular size between human CG and the solubilized receptor-human CG complex. The increase in the rate of radioactivity release was inhibited by N-ethylmaleimide and CuCl2, but not by MgCl2, Trasylol, N alpha-tosyl-L phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone or N alpha-p-tosyl-L-lysine and CuCl2 chloromethyl ketone. Intact hormone dissociation from the complex at pH 3. After perifusion the ovarian tissue radioactivity only as receptor-hormone complexes. Only free radioiodine released from the control tissues, liver and kidney during perifusion. The low molecular weight hormone complex was also released from a homogenate of pseudopregnant rat ovaries prelabelled in vivo with radioactivity-labelled human CG during incubation in a hypotonic medium. The release of this complex was likewise inhibited by alkylating agents and heavy metals, and intact hormone dissociated from the complex at pH 3. A similar human CG complex was released also from purified receptor-human CG complex during incubation with ovarian homogenate, and presence of N-ethylmaleimide or use of heat inactivated ovarian homogenate inhibited this process. The present results indicate that the in vivo bound human CG sheds from the luteal tissue in perifusion and incubation as a low molecular weight complex. This may be a facet in the processing and elimination of occupied LH receptors from the ovary.

In vitro heteroregulation of LH receptors by prolactin and FSH in rat granulosa cells

The purpose of the present study was to further characterize the regulation of LH/hCG receptors by FSH in granulosa cells and test the hypothesis that the LH/hCG receptor levels are heteroregulated by PRL. Granulosa cells from immature hypophysectomized, DES-treated rats were cultured for 2-4 days in defined medium containing androstenedione (10(-7) M) and/or FSH and PRL, after which [125I]iodo-hCG binding to the granulosa cells was measured. When granulosa cells were cultured for 2 days (days 0-2) with increasing concentrations of FSH (0.1-100 ng/ml), there was a dose related increase in [125I]iode-hCG binding from a control value of 1.05 +/- 0.2 fmoles/10(6) cells to a maximum of 20 +/- 1.8 fmoles/10(6) cells. The miminum, half-maximum (ED50) and maximum doses of FSH were 0.3, 0.5 and 3 ng/ml, respectively. At concentrations of FSH greater than 3 ng/ml there was a progressive decrease in [125I]-iodo-hCG binding to a low value of 6.1 +/- 1 fmoles/10(6) cells at 100 ng/ml of FSH. No changes in [125I]iodo-hCG binding were observed in response to PRL (1 microgram/ml) during the day 0-2 incubation. When granulosa cells were stimulated for 2 days with 20 ng/ml of FSH, washed, and then recultured for another 2 days (days 2-4) with FSH, the LH/hCG receptor content remained high (F leads to F = 17.4 +/- 2.8 fmoles/10(6) cells). In contrast, when FSH-primed cells were recultured for 2 days without FSH, the [125I]iodo-hCG binding decreased sharply to near control levels (F leads to C = 2.5 +/- 0.2 fmoles/10(6) cells). This marked loss of LH/hCG receptors was largely prevented when FSH primed cells were recultured with PRL (F leads to P = 10.3 +/- 1.5 fmoles/10(6) cells). This stimulatory effect of PRL on [125I]iodo-hCG binding was dose-dependent: minimum, ED50, and maximum doses of PRL were 0.2, 0.5 and 1 microgram/ml, respectively. Scatchard-plot analysis revealed that although the dissociation constant (Kd) of the LH/hCG receptors stimulated by FSH and PRL were of similar high affinity (approximately 8 x 10(-11) M), the maximum binding (Bmax) values in the PRL-treated cells were less. Addition of 10(-7) estradiol together with the PRL did not cause a further increase in Bmax values above that observed with PRL alone.

Growth factors modulate gonadotropin receptor induction in granulosa cell cultures

Epidermal growth factor and fibroblast growth factor inhibited follicle-stimulating hormone-dependent induction of luteinizing hormone receptor in cultured ovarian granulosa cells of the rat. In contrast, platelet-derived growth factor potentiated the induction of luteinizing hormone receptor by follicle-stimulating hormone. These results indicate that growth factors, well known for their effects on mitosis and DNA synthesis in cultured mammalian cells, are also able to modulate hormone-dependent differentiation in an endocrine target cell.

Bleb formation in granulosa cells of rat pre-ovulatory follicles in vivo and in vitro

To determine if hormone-induced events leading to ovulation an granulosa cell luteinization might be associated with changes in the surface configuration of granulosa cells we have studied the morphology of granulosa cells from the preovulatory follicles both in vivo and in vitro. In vivo, granulosa cells in follicles from rats primed with estradiol and FSH developed bulbous protrusions termed blebs in response to injected hCG. The blebs were restricted to the adluminal granulosa cells which possess the least number of receptors for hCG. When granulosa cells from follicles of rats primed with estradiol and FSH were cultured in vitro, in the absence of serum, approximately 10% of the cells formed blebs. In the presence of 10% rat or fetal calf serum, nearly 90% of the cells formed blebs by 18 hr. Serum-induced bleb formation was prevented by 1 mM dibutyryl cycle-AMP plus 0.5 mM methyl isobutyl xanthine and by cytochalasin B (25 mug/ml), while 0.1 muM colchicine had no effect. Fibronectin at 25 mug/ml increased bleb formation three-fold over control values in serum-free medium. When hCG was included in serum containing medium, the majority of the cells remained smooth without any blebs. Thus, in contrast to its action in vivo, hCG inhibited the formation of blebs in vitro. When the cells incubated in the presence of dbcAMP plus methyl isobutyl xanthine in serum-containing medium, none of the cells formed blebs. One explanation for the seemingly opposite actions of hCG in vivo and in vitro is that hCG might act to alter the permeability of the pre-ovulatory follicles, and thereby allow the admission of serum. The admitted serum component(s) could then induce the formation of blebs on receptor-deficient adluminal cells that did not have elevated cAMP concentrations. The results suggest that fibronectin and/or other serum components, act to induce microfilament-dependent, cAMP-inhibited bleb formation on granulosa cells in vivo and in vitro.

Human choriogonadotropin-induced desensitization of granulosa-cell adenylate cyclase to gonadotropins and loss of LH/hCG receptor

Immature female rats that had been primed with pregnant-mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) were injected intravenously with various doses of human choriogonadotropin (hCG) for the investigation of the relationship between adenylate cyclase activities and the concentrations of LH/hCG receptor in luteinizing granulosa cells. Injection of 1 microgram of hCG induced a loss of LH and FSH sensitivities of adenylate cyclase within 6 h and a disappearance of free LH/hCG receptors within 24 h. Basal adenylate cyclase activity has a transient maximum at 6 h after hCG injection. After injection of 100 micrograms of hCG the loss of LH sensitivity of adenylate cyclase and free LH/hCG receptors occurred immediately, but the changes in FSH-stimulated and basal activities followed the same time scale as after injection of 1 microgram of hCG. When hCG was omitted from the injections the response of the animals to the endogenous gonadotropin surge varied. A complete desensitization of adenylate cyclase to LH and FSH stimulation and a 65% loss of free LH/hCG receptors were found at 24 h if the follicles were ovulated. These results suggest that occupation of a limited number of LH/hCG receptors in granulosa cells induces adenylate cyclase refractory to further stimulation by gonadotropins. The transient elevation of basal adenylate cyclase activity and its desensitization to further stimulation by gonadotropins may have a role in physiological processes leading to ovulation and luteinization.

Differential processing of subunits of human chorionic gonadotropin by granulosa cells in vivo

The question of whether the two subunits of the glycoprotein hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) are handled separately or as a unit by target cells was addressed by using a dual-labeling procedure. The individual alpha and beta subunits of hCG were labeled with 131I or 125I, recombined, chromatographed, and injected intravenously into hormonally primed immature rats. The ovaries of these rats contained large numbers of antral follicles, the granulosa cells of which possess high concentrations of receptor for hCG. Comparisons of the distribution of the different radioisotopic labels in various tissues over time indicated the activity associated with the beta subunit was preferentially retained by the ovarian granulosa cells in a hormone-specific manner, while the activity associated with the alpha subunit was preferentially lost. This contrasted with other tissues, including other ovarian cells with receptor for hCG, in which both radiolabels were either handled nondifferentially or handled differentially in a hormonally nonspecific manner.

Glucocorticoids increase osteoblast-like bone cell response to 1,25(OH)2D3

Recent reports indicate that some hormones may regulate the binding of, and subsequent response to, other hormones by their target tissue. The adrenal glucocorticoids are prominent among these modulating hormones. Glucocorticoids have been shown to enhance bone cell sensitivity to parathyroid hormone (PTH) in vitro and this in turn has permitted PTH-induced effects to be measured at physiological doses of PTH for the first time in isolated osteoblast-like (OB) and osteoclast-like (OC) cells. It is unknown whether these findings represent a specific interaction between glucocorticoids and PTH or indicate a general role for glucocorticoids in the development and/or maintenance of bone cell differentiation, of which hormonal responsiveness would be one expression. In the event of a general glucocorticoid effect on cell differentiation, increased responsiveness to other bone resorbing hormones should also be observed. We have therefore examined whether glucocorticoids enhance the sensivity of bone cells to a steroid hormone, 1,25 dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25(OH)2,D3), and we report here that they do.

Reappearance of HCG-receptors in immature rat ovary after HCG-treatment is not due to receptor synthesis

In 24-day-old rats the reappearance of ovarian HCG-receptors after the injection of 200 IU HCG in independent of protein synthesis. The reutilization of occupied receptors in immature female rats is due to dissociation of the receptor-hormone complex.

hCG-induced loss of LH-hCG receptor and desensitization of adenylate cyclase

hCG-induced loss of hCG (LH) receptors and desensitization of adenylate cyclase in the pseudopregnant rat ovary have been studied. At various time intervals after hCG treatment, the decrease in hCG-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity was closely related to the reduction in available hCG receptors. The hCG-induced desensitization of adenylate cyclase and a fall in hCG binding activity were also dose-dependent and directly correlated. There were no changes in the affinity of receptors binding and in the apparent Km for adenylate cyclase activation. These findings indicate that the loss of hCG receptors is associated with desensitization of adenylate cyclase following the hCG injection.

Follicular growth in the rat: a reevaluation of the roles of FSH and LH

The growth of preovulatory ovarian follicles involves hormonally induced proliferation and differentiation of theca cells and granulosa cells resulting ultimately in an increased ability of follicles to produce estradiol and to respond to the pituitary gonadotropins. The increased ability of follicles to produce estradiol appears to depend on an increased ability of theca cells to produce androgen as well as an increased ability of granulosa cells to aromatize androgens to estradiol. Estradiol in turn, appears to be required for FSH or FSH and LH to stimulate the appearance of functional receptors for LH in granulosa cells. Thus, the intrafollicular hormone estradiol enhances the response of granulosa cells to the gonadotropin. Therefore production of estradiol appears to determine which follicles will gain the mechanisms, including LH receptor, necessary for ovulation and luteinization. Since LH can act to increase its own receptor in the presence of estradiol and low amounts of FSH, it is possible that LH plays a predominant role in the final stages of preovulatory follicular growth both to promote estradiol production stimulation of theca cell androgen production as well as by facilitating an increase in its receptor by acting directly on granulosa cells.