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El Zowalaty AE, Li R, Zheng Y, Lydon JP, DeMayo FJ, Ye X. Deletion of RhoA in Progesterone Receptor-Expressing Cells Leads to Luteal Insufficiency and Infertility in Female Mice. Endocrinology 2017; 158:2168-2178. [PMID: 28498971 PMCID: PMC5505209 DOI: 10.1210/en.2016-1796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Ras homolog gene family, member A (RhoA) is widely expressed throughout the female reproductive system. To assess its role in progesterone receptor-expressing cells, we generated RhoA conditional knockout mice RhoAd/d (RhoAf/f-Pgr-Cre+/-). RhoAd/d female mice had comparable mating activity, serum luteinizing hormone, prolactin, and estradiol levels and ovulation with control but were infertile with progesterone insufficiency, indicating impaired steroidogenesis in RhoAd/d corpus luteum (CL). RhoA was highly expressed in wild-type luteal cells and conditionally deleted in RhoAd/d CL. Gestation day 3.5 (D3.5) RhoAd/d ovaries had reduced numbers of CL, less defined corpus luteal cord formation, and disorganized CL collagen IV staining. RhoAd/d CL had lipid droplet and free cholesterol accumulation, indicating the availability of cholesterol for steroidogenesis, but disorganized β-actin and vimentin staining, indicating disrupted cytoskeleton integrity. Cytoskeleton is important for cytoplasmic cholesterol movement to mitochondria and for regulating mitochondria. Dramatically reduced expression of mitochondrial markers heat shock protein 60 (HSP60), voltage-dependent anion channel, and StAR was detected in RhoAd/d CL. StAR carries out the rate-limiting step of steroidogenesis. StAR messenger RNA expression was reduced in RU486-treated D3.5 wild-type CL and tended to be induced in progesterone-treated D3.5 RhoAd/d CL, with parallel changes of HSP60 expression. These data demonstrated the in vivo function of RhoA in CL luteal cell cytoskeleton integrity, cholesterol transport, StAR expression, and progesterone synthesis, and a positive feedback on StAR expression in CL by progesterone signaling. These findings provide insights into mechanisms of progesterone insufficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed E. El Zowalaty
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
- Interdisciplinary Toxicology Program, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
| | - Rong Li
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
- Interdisciplinary Toxicology Program, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
| | - Yi Zheng
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Children’s Hospital Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229
| | - John P. Lydon
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Francesco J. DeMayo
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory/Pregnancy and Female Reproduction Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709
| | - Xiaoqin Ye
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
- Interdisciplinary Toxicology Program, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602
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Sousa LMMDC, Silva RDS, Fonseca VUD, Leandro RM, Di Vincenzo TS, Alves-Wagner AB, Machado UF, Papa PDC. Is the canine corpus luteum an insulin-sensitive tissue? J Endocrinol 2016; 231:223-233. [PMID: 27679426 DOI: 10.1530/joe-16-0173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2016] [Accepted: 09/27/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to determine in the canine corpus luteum throughout the dioestrus (1) the influence of insulin on glucose uptake; (2) the regulation of genes potentially involved; and (3) the influence of hypoxia on glucose transporter expression and steroidogenesis, after treatment with cobalt chloride (CoCl2). Glucose uptake by luteal cells increased 2.7 folds (P < 0.05) in response to insulin; a phenomenon related to increased expression of glucose transporter (GLUT) 4 and phosphorylation of protein kinase B (AKT). The gene expression of insulin receptor and SLC2A4 (codifier of GLUT4) genes after insulin stimulation increased on day 20 post ovulation (p.o.) and declined on day 40 p.o. (P < 0.05). Regarding potentially involved molecular mechanisms, the nuclear factor kappa B gene RELA was upregulated on days 30/40 p.o., when SLC2A4 mRNA was low, and the interleukin 6 (IL6) gene was upregulated in the first half of dioestrus, when SLC2A4 mRNA was high. CoCl2 in luteal cell cultures increased the hypoxia-inducible factor HIF1A/HIF1A and the SLC2A4/GLUT4 expression, and decreased progesterone (P4) production and hydroxyl-delta-5-steroid dehydrogenase 3 beta (HSD3B) mRNA expression (P < 0.05). This study shows that the canine luteal cells are responsive to insulin, which stimulates glucose uptake in AKT/GLUT4-mediated pathway; that may be related to local activity of RELA and IL6. Besides, the study reveals that luteal cells under hypoxia activate HIF1A-modulating luteal function and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. These data indicate that insulin regulates luteal cells' glucose disposal, participating in the maintenance and functionality of the corpus luteum.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Renata Dos Santos Silva
- Department of SurgerySchool of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Uemura da Fonseca
- Department of SurgerySchool of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rafael Magdanelo Leandro
- Department of SurgerySchool of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thiago Senna Di Vincenzo
- Department of SurgerySchool of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Bárbara Alves-Wagner
- Department of Physiology and BiophysicsInstitute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ubiratan Fabres Machado
- Department of Physiology and BiophysicsInstitute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Paula de Carvalho Papa
- Department of SurgerySchool of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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Bachelot A, Beaufaron J, Servel N, Kedzia C, Monget P, Kelly PA, Gibori G, Binart N. Prolactin independent rescue of mouse corpus luteum life span: identification of prolactin and luteinizing hormone target genes. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2009; 297:E676-84. [PMID: 19531635 PMCID: PMC2739703 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.91020.2008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The corpus luteum (CL) plays a central role in the maintenance of pregnancy in rodents, mainly by secreting progesterone. Female mice lacking prolactin (PRL) receptor (R) are sterile due to a failure of embryo implantation, which is a consequence of decreased luteinizing hormone (LH) receptor expression in the CL and inadequate levels of progesterone. We attempted to treat PRLR(-/-) females with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and showed a de novo expression of LHR mRNA in the corpora lutea. Binding analysis confirmed that the LHR in hCG-treated PRLR(-/-) animals was functional. This was accompanied with increased expression of steroidogenic enzymes involved in progesterone synthesis. Despite these effects, no embryo implantation was observed because of high expression of 20alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. To better appreciate the molecular mechanisms underlying maintenance of the CL, a series of mRNA expression-profiling experiments was performed on isolated corpora lutea of PRLR(-/-) and hCG-treated PRLR(-/-) mice. This approach revealed several novel candidate genes with potentially pivotal roles in ovarian function, among them, p27, VE-cadherin, Pten, and sFRP-4, a member of the Wnt/frizzled family. This study showed the differential role of PRL and LH in CL function and identified new targets of these hormones in luteal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Bachelot
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Unité 845, Paris, France
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Abstract
Interferon-tau (IFNT) is released by preimplantation conceptuses of ruminant species and prepares the mother for pregnancy. Although one important function is to protect the corpus luteum from the luteolytic activity of prostaglandin-F 2alpha, IFNT most likely regulates a range of other physiological processes in endometrium. Here, an immortalized cell line from ovine uterine luminal epithelial cells was treated with IFNT for either 8 or 24 h. RNA was subjected to cDNA microarray analysis, with RNA from untreated cells as the reference standard. Of 15 634 genes, 1274 (8%) were IFNT responsive at P<0.01 and 585 at P<0.001 to at least one treatment. Of the latter, 356 were up-regulated and 229 down-regulated. Increasing IFNT concentrations from 10 ng/ml to 10 microg/ml had minor effects, and most genes up- or down-regulated at 8 h were regulated similarly at 24 h. Although IFNT influences many genes implicated in antiviral activity and apoptosis, its action also likely regulates prostaglandin metabolism, growth factors and their receptors, apoptosis and the nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB cascade, extracellular matrix accretion, angiogenesis, blood coagulation, and inflammation. In particular, it increased mRNA concentrations of genes related to the vascular endothelial growth factor R2 pathway of angiogenesis and down-regulated ones associated with hypoxia. Two genes implicated in the antiluteolytic actions of IFNT (encoding cyclooxygenase-2 and the oxytocin receptor respectively) were down-regulated in response to all treatments. IFNT targets a complex range of physiological processes during the establishment of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yizhen Chen
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri-Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA
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Kaczmarek MM, Kowalczyk AE, Waclawik A, Schams D, Ziecik AJ. Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors in the porcine corpus luteum during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy. Mol Reprod Dev 2007; 74:730-9. [PMID: 17120307 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.20638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The present study was undertaken to determine the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors, fms-like tyrosine kinase (Flt-1) and fetal liver kinase-1/kinase insert domain-containing receptor (Flk-1/KDR), in the porcine corpus luteum (CL) during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy. Immunohistochemical studies localized proteins of VEGF ligand-receptor system in the cytoplasm of luteal cells and in some blood vessels. Western blot analysis revealed significantly higher levels of VEGF protein during early and mid-luteal phase (vs. late luteal phase; P<0.001 and P<0.01, respectively). Quantification of VEGF mRNA in the CL showed increased mRNA levels during entire luteal phase (vs. Days 16-17; P<0.05). Expression of Flt-1 protein remained high during luteal phase (P<0.001), but the mRNA levels tended to increase from the early to the late luteal phase. Elevated protein expression of Flk-1/KDR was found in the mid-luteal phase (vs. Days 16-17; P<0.05). However, induction of Flk-1/KDR mRNA expression occurred earlier, in early luteal phase. The lowest VEGF, Flt-1 and Flk-1/KDR mRNA and protein levels were observed in regressed CL (P<0.001). During pregnancy, VEGF, Flt-1 and Flk-1/KDR mRNA and protein expression was comparable to the mid-luteal phase. In conclusion, the present study has demonstrated dynamic expression of VEGF and its receptors in the porcine CL during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy. These data suggest that the VEGF ligand-receptor system may play an important role in the development and maintenance of the CL in pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika M Kaczmarek
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Pathophysiology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Olsztyn, Poland
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Roberts RM, Ezashi T, Rosenfeld CS, Ealy AD, Kubisch HM. Evolution of the interferon tau genes and their promoters, and maternal-trophoblast interactions in control of their expression. Reprod Suppl 2003; 61:239-51. [PMID: 14635939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/27/2023]
Abstract
It is well established that the interferon tau (IFN-tau) family of proteins play a major role in preventing the regression of the corpus luteum during early pregnancy in ruminants, such as cattle, sheep and goats, but not in other mammals. These interferons, which are structurally and functionally related to type I interferon, such as IFN-alpha and -omega, arose from a duplication of an IFN-omega gene approximately 36 million years ago. The IFN-tau genes have continued to duplicate since that time and have acquired the ability to be transcribed uniquely in the trophectoderm. Low expression is first detectable at the blastocyst stage, but massive transcriptional upregulation occurs a few days later during the initial stages of conceptus elongation. Expression is finally terminated upon trophectoderm attachment to uterine endometrium. The major promoter element that controls expression is an Ets-2/AP-1 enhancer element. Growth factors and cytokines released by the maternal endometrium that, possibly in response to progesterone, act through Ras and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP-kinase) signal transduction pathway have been implicated in controlling IFN-tau gene transcription by activating Ets-2. This timely expression of IFN-tau is not only required to rescue the corpus luteum of pregnancy but may also be an indicator of conceptus fitness, thereby serving as a critical factor that dictates the continuation of pregnancy in ruminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- R M Roberts
- Department of Animal Science, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
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Ludwig TE, Sun BC, Carnahan KG, Uzumcu M, Yelich JV, Geisert RD, Mirando MA. Endometrial responsiveness to oxytocin during diestrus and early pregnancy in pigs is not controlled solely by changes in oxytocin receptor population density. Biol Reprod 1998; 58:769-77. [PMID: 9510965 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod58.3.769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
These studies were performed to test the hypotheses that: 1) endometrial responsiveness to oxytocin (OT) in pig endometrium is associated with changes in OT receptor (OTr) population density resulting from corresponding regulation of OTr gene transcription, 2) endometrial responsiveness to OT is controlled solely through a mechanism involving changes in OTr population density, and 3) OTr population density and endometrial responsiveness to OT differ between diestrus and early pregnancy in pigs. In experiment 1, OTr population density and dissociation constant (Kd) in cyclic pigs were constant on Days 10-16 but increased (p < 0.05) between Days 10 and 12 of pregnancy before decreasing (p < 0.05) through Day 16. OT induced phosphoinositide (PI) hydrolysis and prostaglandin (PG) F2 alpha secretion in cyclic pigs only on Day 16 (p < 0.05), and during pregnancy only on Day 12 (p < 0.05). Activation of G protein by aluminum fluoride (AIF4-) treatment maximally stimulated (p < 0.05) PI hydrolysis and PGF2 alpha secretion in cyclic pigs on all days, indicating that downstream from the OTr, the PGF2 alpha secretory pathway was fully functional. During pregnancy, PI hydrolysis and PGF2 alpha secretion in response to AIF4- decreased (p < 0.01) on Days 14 compared to Days 10 and 12, and AIF4- did not stimulate PGF2 alpha release on Day 16. In experiment 2, abundance of OTr mRNA in cyclic pigs decreased between Days 0 and 5 before increasing between Days 5 and 12 (p < 0.05), but it was higher (p < 0.05) on Days 10-15 of pregnancy than on equivalent days in cyclic gilts. These results indicate that control of PGF2 alpha secretion in cyclic pigs appeared to occur primarily at the level of OTr coupling to G protein because changes in OTr number were not associated with increased sensitivity to OT or G-protein activation by AIF4-. During pregnancy, control was exerted at multiple levels, which included the OTr, G protein, phospholipase C, and subsequent aspects of the secretory pathway. The present study also indicated that endometrium was responsive to OT during luteolysis in cyclic pigs but not during corpus luteum maintenance in pregnant pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- T E Ludwig
- Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman 99164-6353, USA
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Liu K, Liu YX, Hu ZY, Zou RY, Chen YJ, Mu XM, Ny T. Temporal expression of urokinase type plasminogen activator, tissue type plasminogen activator, plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 in rhesus monkey corpus luteum during the luteal maintenance and regression. Mol Cell Endocrinol 1997; 133:109-16. [PMID: 9406856 DOI: 10.1016/s0303-7207(97)00152-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Proteolytic activity generated by the plasminogen activator (PA) system has been associated with many biological processes. Using a pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG)/human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-induced rhesus monkey corpus luteum (CL) model, we have studied how urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA), and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1), are temporally expressed in CL of rhesus monkey at the luteotropic and luteolytic periods. Slot blot analysis and in situ hybridization were performed to analyze the expression and distribution of uPA and PAI-1 messenger RNA (mRNA). Fibrin overlay was used to detect uPA and tPA activities. We found that uPA is the dominating PA in luteotropic CL in the monkey. Abundant expression of PAI-1 mRNA was detected. The highest expression of uPA and PAI-1 mRNA was observed at the luteotropic period, while their expression decreased approximately 50% at early luteal regression defined by considerably decreased serum progesterone levels, and remained at very low levels at the late stage of luteal regression. We also observed an increased tPA activity at the time of luteal regression. Moreover, the exogenous tPA could inhibit the progesterone production in cultured luteal cells from 13-day-old monkey CL. We also used LH receptor mRNA expression as a mark for the luteal phases. A highly expressed, evenly distributed LH receptor mRNA was detected in CL during the luteotropic phase, while its expression decreased at day 13 coinciding with the reduction of progesterone production. We conclude that proteolysis mediated by uPA and regulated by PAI-1 may play a role in the luteal maintenance, while tPA may participate in the luteal regression in the rhesus monkey.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Liu
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Umeå, Sweden
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Pomp D, Geisert RD, Durham CM, Murray JD. Rescue of pregnancy and maintenance of corpora lutea in infertile transgenic mice expressing an ovine metallothionein 1a-ovine growth hormone fusion gene. Biol Reprod 1995; 52:170-8. [PMID: 7711176 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod52.1.170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Transgenic female mice expressing a temporally regulatable ovine metallothionein 1a-ovine growth hormone (oMT1a-oGH) fusion gene can cycle, mate, and support early embryonic development; but they fail to maintain pregnancy or, in most cases, to exhibit signs of pseudopregnancy. The present study was designed to determine whether or not the infertility of oMT1a-oGH transgenic female mice is due to luteal insufficiency. A series of five experiments was conducted in which various hormonal therapies were utilized in an attempt to overcome this infertility. Provision of 1 mg progesterone to oMT1a-oGH females from Days 1 to 17 of gestation rescued pregnancy in 19 of 20 females with an increased mean litter size (p < 0.01) compared to that of wild-type control females. Supplementation with progesterone also appeared on the basis of gross anatomical appearance to maintain CI. Provision of 2 mg progesterone in combination with 25 ng estradiol-17 beta from Days 4 to 17 rescued pregnancy in 14 of 24 oMT1a-oGH females, while provision of 100 or 25 micrograms ovine prolactin from Days 3 to 17 failed to overcome oMT1a-oGH infertility. Transgenic females with rescued pregnancies lactated and raised heavier pups than wild-type females by Day 15 postnatal (p < 0.05). Results indicate that infertility of oMT1a-oGH transgenic mice is caused by luteal insufficiency. Supplementation of transgenic females with progesterone appeared to maintain morphologically normal CL and pregnancy with subsequently increased litter size and normal lactation.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Pomp
- Department of Animal Science, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater 74078
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Shukovski L, Zhang ZW, Michel U, Findlay JK. Expression of mRNA for follicle-stimulating hormone suppressing protein in ovarian tissues of cows. J Reprod Fertil 1992; 95:861-7. [PMID: 1404101 DOI: 10.1530/jrf.0.0950861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The expression of bovine follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-suppressing protein (FSP) mRNA was investigated in different ovarian tissues of cows. Northern blot analysis, using a cDNA probe to bovine FSP, demonstrated that the FSP gene in the bovine ovary is highly expressed in a pool of isolated granulosa cells. Two bands (2.8 and 1.8 kb) were observed in all tissues expressing the mRNA. FSP mRNA was low in small antral follicles and increased in growing follicles to reach a maximum in preovulatory follicles. Low amounts of mRNA of steady state FSP were observed in all stages of the corpus luteum as well as in the corpus luteum of pregnant cows, in the corpus albicans and theca tissue, whereas this mRNA could not be detected in the liver. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that, in cows, FSP functions as an autocrine regulator in developing follicles to facilitate luteinization of granulosa cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Shukovski
- Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, South Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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