RNA AND PROTEIN METABOLISM IN THE OVIDUCT AND ENDOMETRIUM OF THE EWE AT PRO-OESTRUS: REGULATION BY OESTRADIOL AND PROGESTERONE

1976 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. G. MILLER

SUMMARY The effects on RNA and protein metabolism in the oviduct and endometrium at pro-oestrus of oestradiol and progesterone secreted during the oestrous cycle were examined, using the ovariectomized, hormone-treated ewe as a model system. Thirty ewes received hormone injections during a period of 13 days, according to schedules designed to simulate endogenous ovarian secretion of oestradiol and progesterone during the oestrous cycle. Hormone effects on RNA:DNA ratios and on rates of synthesis of protein and methylated RNA in vitro, as well as effects on oviducal and uterine weight, were examined. The results obtained suggest that endogenous ovarian hormones have the following effects in the intact ewe. The secretion of oestradiol at pro-oestrus rapidly increases rates of synthesis of protein and methylated RNA, and mean cell content of RNA in both the endometrium and oviduct. Oestradiol secreted during the previous luteal phase of the oestrous cycle markedly increases mean cell content of RNA and amounts of protein and methylated RNA synthesis occurring in both tissues at pro-oestrus. In the endometrium, progesterone secreted during the luteal phase increases the RNA: DNA ratio, and probably also the amounts of protein and methylated RNA synthesized at pro-cestrus, but there are no significant interactions between the effects of oestradiol and progesterone. Progesterone had no effect on either the amounts or rates of synthesis of protein or methylated RNA in the oviduct. The results are discussed in relation to the hormonal regulation of physiological functions of the oviduct and endometrium during the first few days after the onset of oestrus.

1977 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 279 ◽  
Author(s):  
BG Miller ◽  
NW Moore ◽  
Leigh Murphy ◽  
GM Stone

The hormonal regulation of embryo development during early pregnancy in the ewe has been examined. Ovariectomized ewes received injections of oestradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) according to schedules designed to simulate endogenous ovarian secretion during the luteal phase of the previous oestrous cycle (priming P), around the time of oestrus (oestrous E2 ) and during early pregnancy (maintenance P, maintenance E2)' Embryos were transferred to the ewes on the 4th day after induced oestrus, and ewes were killed at 6 or 13 days after transfer to assess embryo development. Cytosol concentrations of oestradiol 'and progesterone receptors and RNA and protein metabolism in the endometrium and amounts of protein in uterine flushings were examined on the day of embryo transfer and 6 days after transfer.


1989 ◽  
Vol 123 (3) ◽  
pp. 383-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. E. Mann ◽  
B. K. Campbell ◽  
A. S. McNeilly ◽  
D. T. Baird

ABSTRACT Passive immunization was used to investigate the importance of inhibin in the negative feedback loop regulating the production of FSH in sheep. An antiserum raised to the 1–26 peptide fragment of the N-terminus of the α-chain of porcine inhibin was first shown to neutralize the suppressive effects of inhibin on the production of FSH by dispersed ovine pituitary cells in vitro. Groups of five mature Scottish Blackface ewes on day 8 of the luteal phase of the oestrous cycle were then injected with either 10 ml plasma from normal ewes (control) or 10 ml ovine inhibin antiserum. On day 10, luteal regression was induced by an i.m. injection of cloprostenol (100 μg), and ovulation rate determined 6 days later by laparoscopy. Peripheral plasma samples were collected throughout the experimental period. Following treatment, there was no change in the peripheral plasma concentration of LH in either group. Following injection of the inhibin antiserum, the concentration of FSH rose significantly (P<0·001) compared with the control group. The concentration of FSH rose from 1·42 ± 0·06 to a maximum of 2·58 ± 0·23 (s.e.m.) μg/l by 5·6 ±0·9 h, this maximum lasting 9·0±1·1 h. By 32·8 ±6·9 h, the concentration of FSH had returned to pretreatment levels, while the titre of free antibody in the plasma of treated ewes was still high. In the treated ewes, there were one single and four double ovulations compared with three single and two double ovulations in the control group, indicating that the inhibin immunization may have resulted in an increase in ovulation rate. We conclude that the marked rise in the plasma concentration of FSH following injection of inhibin antiserum provides strong evidence that inhibin is an important factor in the regulation of FSH production by the pituitary gland at this time. Journal of Endocrinology (1989) 123, 383–391


1996 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 1003 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Liebermann ◽  
D Schams ◽  
A Miyamoto

The impact of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), endothelin-1 (ET-1), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) on the release of progesterone (P4) and oxytocin (OT) from individual bovine corpora lutea at different stages of the oestrous cycle and pregnancy was evaluated with a microdialysis system (MDS) in vitro. IGF-I (1 microgram mL-1) induced significantly the acute effects on P4 release at the late luteal stage (Days 15-18) and early pregnancy (Days 60-120), whereas bFGF (100 ng mL-1) was extremely effective in stimulating P4 release particularly during the mid-luteal stage (Days 8-12). Both peptides stimulated (P < 0.05) the release of OT throughout the three luteal stages and during early and late pregnancy (Days 30-60 and Days 150-210). ET-1 (100 ng mL-1) clearly inhibited P4 release during the early (Days 5-7) and mid-luteal phase and stimulated OT release only during the mid-luteal stage (P < 0.001). TNF-alpha (100 ng mL-1) stimulated the release of P4 exclusively at the early luteal phase (P < 0.05), whereas OT secretion was increased by TNF-alpha during all stages of the oestrous cycle (P < 0.001). TGF-alpha and PDGF (100 ng mL-1) were effective in stimulating P4 release particularly during late pregnancy (P < 0.05). In contrast, stimulation of OT secretion by TGF-alpha was maximal during the late-luteal stage (P < 0.001), whereas PDGF significantly increased OT secretion during the oestrous cycle (except the early luteal stage) and pregnancy (P < 0.001). The data demonstrate distinct and stage-specific effects of growth factors on P4 and OT secretion in vitro. IGF-I, bFGF and TGF-alpha may play an important role in corpus luteum (CL) function during the oestrous cycle and pregnancy since they are locally expressed and synthesized, there are receptors for these growth factors, and they have been demonstrated to exert biological effects on the CL.


1992 ◽  
Vol 132 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. E. Mann ◽  
A. S. McNeilly ◽  
D. T. Baird

ABSTRACT This experiment was undertaken in order to investigate the production of inhibin, oestradiol and androstenedione by ovarian follicles at different stages of the oestrous cycle in sheep. Twenty-four Scottish Blackface ewes were allocated to four groups of six ewes, i.e. those operated on during the luteal phase (day 10), and those operated on during the follicular phase 24–30, 36 and 60 h after the induction of luteal regression by an injection of 125 μg cloprostenol on day 10 of the luteal phase. Samples of jugular and ovarian venous blood were collected under anaesthesia and ovaries were then removed and all follicles larger than 3 mm diameter dissected out and incubated in medium for 2 h. After injection of cloprostenol, luteal regression occurred as indicated by a fall in the secretion rate of progesterone. The ovarian secretion rate of inhibin was similar at all stages of the follicular phase and during the luteal phase while, in contrast, the secretion rate of oestradiol was significantly (P < 0·05) elevated in the group 24 h after injection of cloprostenol. There was good correlation between the in-vivo ovarian secretion rate and production rate during incubation in vitro for both inhibin (r = 0·57) and oestradiol (r = 0·60). When follicle diameter was compared with in-vitro hormone production there was good correlation for inhibin (r = 0·72) with larger follicles producing more inhibin, while the value for oestradiol was somewhat lower (r = 0·57) owing to the presence of large atretic follicles with low oestradiol production. Androstenedione production showed a lower correlation with follicle diameter (r = 0·39). When the four time periods were compared separately, there were significantly (P < 0·05) more follicles with high in-vitro oestradiol production (> 90 fmol/min) in the group at 36 h than in the other three groups, while inhibin release in relation to follicle size was similar in the four groups. Large oestrogenic follicles were responsible for 90% of the total oestradiol production during culture while only providing 55% of the total inhibin production, with large non-oestrogenic and small follicles contributing 33% and 12% of inhibin production respectively. From the results of this study we conclude that while oestradiol is mainly produced by the large oestrogenic follicles, a considerable amount of inhibin is also produced by large non-oestrogenic and small follicles. We also found that a lack of variation in inhibin secretion rate in the intact animal was paralleled by a lack of variation in the pattern of inhibin produced from individual follicles. Journal of Endocrinology (1992) 132, 225–234


1970 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. F. SALAMAN

SUMMARY RNA from the anterior hypothalamus and anterior pituitary of rats has been labelled by incubation in vitro with [3H]uridine and characterized by density gradient centrifugation. A study of normal females during the oestrous cycle showed cyclic changes in [3H]uridine incorporation into rapidly labelled RNA (rl-RNA) both in the anterior pituitary and hypothalamus. In both tissues the specific activity of RNA was low at dioestrus and high at oestrus and metoestrus. In androgenized females, incorporation into hypothalamic rl-RNA was less than the oestrus—metoestrus level and similar to that at dioestrus, while incorporation into anterior pituitary rl-RNA was similar to the oestrus—metoestrus level and greater than at dioestrus. [3H]Uridine incorporation into ribosomal RNA (r-RNA) of anterior hypothalamus and pituitary was also demonstrated by incubation for 4 h. Under these conditions there was no effect of androgenization on hypothalamic r-RNA, but the specific activity of pituitary r-RNA was greater than normal.


2020 ◽  
Vol 247 (3) ◽  
pp. 283-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrycja Kurowska ◽  
Ewa Mlyczyńska ◽  
Monika Dawid ◽  
Małgorzata Grzesiak ◽  
Joelle Dupont ◽  
...  

Vaspin, visceral adipose tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor, plays important roles in inflammation, obesity, and glucose metabolism. Our recent research has shown the expression and role of vaspin in the function of ovarian follicles. However, whether vaspin regulates steroidogenesis and luteolysis in the corpus luteum (CL) is still unknown. The aim of this study was first to determine the expression of vaspin and its receptor GRP78 in porcine CL at the early, middle, and late stages of the luteal phase. Next, we investigated the hormonal regulation of vaspin levels in luteal cells in response to luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone (P4), and prostaglandin PGE2 and PGF2α. Finally, we determined vaspin’s direct impact on luteal cells steroidogenesis, luteolysis and kinases phosphorylation. Our results are the first to show higher vaspin/GRP78 expression in middle and late vs early stages; immunohistochemistry showed cytoplasmic vaspin/GRP78 localization in small and large luteal cells. In vitro, we found that LH, P4, PGE2, and PGF2α significantly decreased vaspin levels. Furthermore, vaspin stimulated steroidogenesis by the activation of the GRP78 receptor and protein kinase A (PKA). Also, vaspin increased the ratio of luteotropic PGE2 to luteolytic PGF2α secretion via GRP78 and mitogen-activated kinase (MAP3/1). Moreover, vaspin, in a dose-dependent manner, decreased GRP78 expression, while it, in a time-dependent manner, increased kinases PKA and MAPK3/1 phosphorylation. Taken together, we found that vaspin/GRP78 expression depends on the luteal phase stage and vaspin affects luteal cells endocrinology, indicating that vaspin is a new regulator of luteal cells steroidogenesis and CL formation.


Reproduction ◽  
2000 ◽  
pp. 49-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
SD Johnston ◽  
MR McGowan ◽  
P O'Callaghan ◽  
R Cox ◽  
V Nicolson

As an integral part of the development of an artificial insemination programme in the captive koala, female reproductive physiology and behaviour were studied. The oestrous cycle in non-mated and mated koalas was characterized by means of behavioural oestrus, morphology of external genitalia and changes in the peripheral plasma concentrations of oestradiol and progestogen. The mean (+/- SEM) duration of the non-mated oestrous cycle and duration of oestrus in 12 koalas was 32.9 +/- 1.1 (n = 22) and 10.3 +/- 0.9 (n = 24) days, respectively. Although the commencement of oestrous behaviour was associated with increasing or high concentrations of oestradiol, there were no consistent changes in the morphology or appearance of the clitoris, pericloacal region, pouch or mammary teats that could be used to characterize the non-mated cycle. As progestogen concentrations remained at basal values throughout the interoestrous period, non-mated cycles were considered non-luteal and presumed anovulatory. After mating of the 12 koalas, six females gave birth with a mean (+/- SEM) gestation of 34.8 +/- 0.3 days, whereas the remaining six non-parturient females returned to oestrus 49.5 +/- 1. 0 days later. After mating, oestrous behaviour ceased and the progestogen profile showed a significant increase in both pregnant and non-parturient females, indicating that a luteal phase had been induced by the physical act of mating. Progestogen concentrations throughout the luteal phase of the pregnant females were significantly higher than those of non-parturient females. Parturition was associated with a decreasing concentration of progestogen, which was increased above that of basal concentrations until 7 days post partum.


Growth regulators, phytohormones, both natural and artificial, are the main means to control plant ontogenesis. They are involved in regulating the processes of cell differentiation and cell divisions, the formation of tissues and organs, the changes in the rate of growth and development, the duration of the certain stages of ontogenesis. The main classes of phytohormones used in plant biotechnology, in particular, in the induction of haploid structures, are auxins and cytokinins. The mechanism of action of phytohormones on a cell is rather complicated and may have a different character. Understanding the characteristics of the action of phytohormones is complicated by the fact that the system of hormonal regulation of plant life is multicomponent. This is manifested in the fact that the same physiological process is most often influenced not by one, but by several phytohormones, covering a wide range of aspects of cell metabolism. In connection with the foregoing, the purpose of our work was to test a set of nutrient media with different basic composition and different proportions of phytohormones to determine the patterns of their influence on the processes of haploid structure induction in rape anther culture using accessions, developed at the Institute of Oilseed Crops NAAS. The material used was two accessions of winter rapeseed (No. 1 and No. 2) and one sample of spring rapeseed, provided by the Rapeseed Breeding laboratory of the Institute of Oilseed Crops. Incised inflorescences were kept against the background of low temperature of 6–8 ° C for several days, and then, under aseptic conditions, anthers with unripe pollen grains were isolated and planted on nutrient media differing in both basic mineral composition and content of phytohormones. MS (Murashige & Skoog 1962) and B5 (Gamborg et al 1968) media were used as basic media. Phytohormones were added to the basic media in various combinations – BA, 2,4-D, NAA at the concentrations of 0.1-0.6 mg/l. In each treatment up to 300 anthers were cultivated. Differences between treatments were evaluated using standard t-test. Studies have shown that in the anther culture of rapeseed on the tested nutrient media, morphogenic structures of different types (embryoids and callus) were originated. Synthetic auxin 2,4-D, regardless of the composition of the basic medium, caused the formation of structures of both types, though with a low frequency. Phytohormone BA of the cytokinin type had a similar effect. In this case, the frequency of structures was slightly higher, and the developed structures were represented mainly by embryoids. The joint action of cytokinin and auxin was the most favorable for the initiation of morphogenic structures. Such combination of phytohormones caused the formation of these structures with a frequency of 24.5-14.7% in the studied genotypes of winter rape. A similar effect of phytohormones on the induction and development of morphogenic structures was also observed in spring rape. In this case, a single basic MS medium was used. The experiment included treatments where phytohormones were absent (control), as well as various combinations of auxin and cytokinin. In the control treatment, the formation of new structures was not noted. In treatments with phytohormones, in addition to the medium with the combination of auxin and cytokinin, the medium in which only cytokinin was present was also rather effective. The treatment in which the action of auxin 2,4-D was combined with the action of another auxin, NAA, turned out to be practically ineffective. Thus, it was found that for the induction of morphogenic structures from microspores in rape anther culture of the tested genotypes, the combination of cytokinin with auxin, or the use of only single cytokinin BA without other phytohormones, had the most positive effect.


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