Steroid production in vitro by rat ovaries during sexual maturation

1983 ◽  
Vol 99 (3) ◽  
pp. 469-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Th. J. Uilenbroek ◽  
P. J. A. Woutersen ◽  
R. van der Linden

To determine changes in steroidogenesis by rat ovaries during sexual maturation, ovaries obtained at various ages (days 10–35) and at the first pro-oestrus were incubated in the absence or presence of LH and the accumulation of steroids in the medium was measured. Basal and LH-stimulated oestradiol-17β and testosterone release into the medium, expressed in pmol/4 h per mg ovary, was high at day 10 of age and at first pro-oestrus. Between days 20 and 35 basal oestradiol and testosterone release was low and could not be stimulated by LH. Addition of testosterone to the culture medium increased oestradiol production at all ages studied. Release of progesterone occurred at all ages even in LH-free medium. Incubation in the presence of LH resulted in a dose-dependent increase in progesterone with a maximal response at pro-oestrus. Androsterone and 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol production in the absence or presence of LH was high during the entire prepuberal period. Production of 5α-reduced androgens in response to LH increased from days 10 to 20 but decreased thereafter. Similarly, 5α-reductase activity, measured in ovarian homogenates, increased from days 10 to 20 but was decreased again by first pro-oestrus. A further decrease in basal and LH-stimulated 5α-reduced androgen production occurred after first ovulation. These results demonstrated age-related changes in steroid release after in-vitro incubation. At day 10 progesterone can be converted to aromatizable androgens allowing production of oestrogens, while after day 10 progesterone is converted to 5α-reduced C19 steroids. The decrease in 5α-reductase activity correlates with an increase in LH-stimulated testosterone and oestradiol production at the first pro-oestrus.

2007 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 380-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pious Thomas ◽  
Sima Kumari ◽  
Ganiga K. Swarna ◽  
T.K.S. Gowda

Fourteen distinct bacterial clones were isolated from surface-sterilized shoot tips (~1 cm) of papaya (Carica papaya L. ‘Surya’) planted on Murashige and Skoog (MS)-based papaya culture medium (23/50 nos.) during the 2–4 week period following in vitro culturing. These isolates were ascribed to six Gram-negative genera, namely Pantoea ( P. ananatis ), Enterobacter ( E. cloacae ), Brevundimonas ( B. aurantiaca ), Sphingomonas , Methylobacterium ( M. rhodesianum ), and Agrobacterium ( A. tumefaciens ) or two Gram-positive genera, Microbacterium ( M. esteraromaticum ) and Bacillus ( B. benzoevorans ) based on 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Pantoea ananatis was the most frequently isolated organism (70% of the cultures) followed by B. benzoevorans (13%), while others were isolated from single stocks. Bacteria-harboring in vitro cultures often showed a single organism. Pantoea, Enterobacter, and Agrobacterium spp. grew actively on MS-based normal papaya medium, while Microbacterium, Brevundimonas, Bacillus, Sphingomonas, and Methylobacterium spp. failed to grow in the absence of host tissue. Supplying MS medium with tissue extract enhanced the growth of all the organisms in a dose-dependent manner, indicating reliance of the endophyte on its host. Inoculation of papaya seeds with the endophytes (20 h at OD550 = 0.5) led to delayed germination or slow seedling growth initially. However, the inhibition was overcome by 3 months and the seedlings inoculated with Pantoea, Microbacterium, or Sphingomonas spp. displayed significantly better root and shoot growths.


1993 ◽  
Vol 264 (4) ◽  
pp. G624-G629 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Ishizuka ◽  
M. Murakami ◽  
G. A. Nichols ◽  
C. W. Cooper ◽  
G. H. Greeley ◽  
...  

Gallbladder (GB) motility diminishes with aging. This study was performed to characterize mechanisms that are involved in changes in GB contractility that occur during aging. Cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) and the contractile force of guinea pig GB muscle strips were simultaneously measured using fura-2 and force-displacement transducers. The binding ability of the Ca2+ channel antagonist and GB muscle compliance were also examined. The COOH-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin (CCK-8) evoked a dose-dependent increase in force and [Ca2+]i. Changes of [Ca2+]i and contractile force of muscle strips in response to CCK-8 were significantly greater in young (2 mo old) compared with mature and aged (12 and 24 mo old) guinea pigs (changes in [Ca2+]i, ED50: 46.1 nM at 2 mo, 6.1 microM at 12 mo, and 2.8 mM at 24 mo; changes of contractile force, ED50: 24.8 microM at 2 mo, 2.1 mM at 12 mo, and 357 mM at 24 mo). However, the magnitude of the contraction at each percent change in [Ca2+]i was actually similar in young and aged guinea pigs. In a Ca(2+)-free buffer, the responses of [Ca2+]i and force to CCK-8 in both young and aged GB muscles decreased, but those were still dose and age dependent. Binding ability of the Ca2+ channel antagonist did not differ in the young and aged groups, but the compliance of the GB muscle strip decreased with aging. These results suggest that both a reduced mobilization of intracellular Ca2+ and a decreased muscle compliance are responsible, at least in part, for age-related reduced contraction of guinea pig GB in response to CCK.


1990 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. B. O'Toole ◽  
K.J. Armour ◽  
C. Decourt ◽  
N. Hazon ◽  
B. Lahlou ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT An isolated in-vitro perifused interrenal gland preparation from the dogfish Scyliorhinus canicula was used to study production of quantitatively the major corticosteroid 1α-hydroxycorticosterone (1α-OH-B), measured by radioimmunoassay. Basal secretory rates were 877·1 ± 145 (s.e.m.) fmol/mg per 15 min (n=14) and the preparation remained viable for up to 22 h, as reflected in a brisk response to 10 μm cyclic AMP (cAMP) after this time. Steroid production responded in a dose-dependent manner to porcine ACTH, with 10 μm producing a maximum stimulation of 225% above the basal secretory rate. cAMP (10 μm) produced an increase of 278% above basal, while 1 μm forskolin increased basal secretory rates by 127%. [Val5]- and [Ile5]-angiotensin II (0·1 μm) increased 1α-OH-B production by 120 and 372% respectively over basal secretory rates. Increasing the concentration of K+ in the perfusate from 8 mm to 12, 18, 28 and 40 mm produced a significant rise only at 28 mm. Alterations in the concentration of Na+ and osmolarity of the perifusion medium had inconsistent effects on steroid production. Increased concentrations of urea (from 360 to 720 mm) increased the basal secretory rate by 121%, whilst reducing the concentration of urea (from 360 to 90 mm) had no effect.


1980 ◽  
Vol 239 (3) ◽  
pp. G198-G203 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Flemstrom

An in vitro preparation of proximal duodenum from the bullfrog transported alkali into the luminal solution (approximately 1 mueq x h-1 x cm-2) and generated a transepithelial electrical potential difference (5-10 mV, lumen negative). Transport was inhibited by 2,4-dinitrophenol (10(-5) M), CN- (5 X 10(-3) M), indomethacin (5 X 10(-5) M), and acetazolamide (5 X 10(-3) M) indicating that metabolism is required. Both alkali transport and the electrical potential difference showed a dose-dependent increase on administration of the prostaglandins E2, 16,16-dimethyl E2, and F2 alpha. The minimal concentration stimulating transport was lower with the E-type prostaglandins (10(-8) M than with F2 alpha (10(-6) M), and the former also produced greater maximal responses. In addition to metabolic-dependent transport of alkali, there was passive transmucosal migration of HCO3-, amounting to approximately 40% of basal (unstimulated) transport and sensitive to variation of the transmucosal hydrostatic pressure. Morphological examination showed that the preparation is devoid of Brunner glands. Stimulation of duodenal epithelial HCO3- transport by prostaglandins may contribute to their previously demonstrated ability to prevent duodenal ulceration.


1981 ◽  
Vol 91 (2) ◽  
pp. 313-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. P. SIBLEY ◽  
B. J. WHITEHOUSE ◽  
G. P. VINSON ◽  
C. GODDARD ◽  
E. McCREDIE

A technique for the perfusion of the rat adrenal cortex is described. With tissue culture Medium 199 the preparation was responsive in terms of steroid production to both ACTH and K+ ions. Production of corticosterone and 18-hydroxydeoxycorticosterone (18-hydroxy-DOC) was stimulated by ACTH when it was administered at rates between 5 μu./min and 5 mu./min. Increasing the K+ ion concentration of the perfusate from 3·6 to 5·4 and 8·9 mmol/l stimulated the production of aldosterone, 18-hydroxycorticosterone and deoxycorticosterone, although not of corticosterone or 18-hydroxy-DOC. This preparation has been used to study further the mechanism of secretion of corticosterone and 18-hydroxy-DOC. Thus, production of these two steroids was measured at different perfusion flows, varying between 0·1 and 0·6 ml/min, with different levels of ACTH stimulation. Corticosterone production was significantly (P < 0·001) increased by increasing flows both under control conditions and when ACTH was administered at constant rates of 50 μu./min or 1 mu./min. Production of 18-hydroxy-DOC was not affected by flow either under control conditions or with 50 μu. ACTH/min. However, when ACTH was administered at 1 mu./min, 18-hydroxy-DOC production was also significantly (P < 0·001) increased by flow. The results are consistent with those obtained in previous in-vitro studies and have been interpreted as suggesting that the main mechanism of corticosterone secretion is simple diffusion. In contrast, 18-hydroxy-DOC secretion, at least at sub-maximal levels of stimulation, appears to require a more complex process.


1982 ◽  
Vol 95 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Wilkinson ◽  
R. Bhanot ◽  
J. A. Pincock ◽  
L. Donald

We have investigated whether sexual maturation in female rats is affected by repeated flurothyl-induced convulsions. This treatment had no effect on the normal age-related increase in body weight though puberty (vaginal opening) was significantly delayed when compared with non-convulsed control rats. In an attempt to probe the mechanism of this delaying effect we observed that (1) anterior pituitary response to gonadotrophin releasing hormone in vitro was normal in terms of LH release but FSH secretion was impaired and (2) progesterone injection in oestrogen-primed convulsed rats failed to generate an ovulatory-type surge of LH or FSH. Basal serum levels and basal in-vitro secretion of LH and FSH were normal. We conclude that repeated convulsions adversely affect the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadotrophin system of immature female rats.


2016 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 275-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
J J Allen ◽  
S L Herrick ◽  
J E Fortune

In cattle, primordial follicles form before birth. Fetal ovarian capacity to produce progesterone and estradiol is high before follicle formation begins and decreases around the time follicles first appear (around 90 days of gestation). However, mechanisms that regulate steroid production during this time remain unclear. We hypothesized that LH stimulates progesterone and androgen production and that FSH stimulates aromatization of androgens to estradiol. To test this, we cultured pieces from fetal bovine ovaries for 10 days without or with exogenous hormones and then measured the accumulation of steroids in the culture medium by RIA. LH (100 ng/mL) alone increased the accumulation of progesterone, androstenedione, testosterone and estradiol. FSH (100 ng/mL) alone increased both progesterone and estradiol accumulation, but had no effect on androgens. Exogenous testosterone (0.5 µM) alone greatly increased estradiol accumulation and the combination of testosterone + FSH, but not testosterone + LH, increased estradiol relative to testosterone alone. Interestingly, exogenous testosterone and estradiol decreased progesterone accumulation in a dose-dependent manner. Because the highest dose of estradiol (0.5 µM) decreased progesterone accumulation, but increased both pregnenolone and androstenedione in the same cultures, endogenous estradiol may be a paracrine regulator of steroid synthesis. Together, these results confirm our initial hypotheses and indicate that LH stimulates androgen production in fetal bovine ovaries via the Δ5 pathway, whereas FSH stimulates aromatization of androgens to estradiol. These results are consistent with the two-cell, two-gonadotropin model of estradiol production by bovine preovulatory follicles, which suggests that the mechanisms regulating ovarian steroid production are established during fetal life.


1972 ◽  
Vol 50 (6) ◽  
pp. 476-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Kalant ◽  
A. E. LeBlanc ◽  
M. Guttman ◽  
J. M. Khanna

Metronidazole, added in vitro, did not act either as an inhibitor or as a substrate for the alcohol dehydrogenase activity of rat liver homogenates. Concentration curves of ethanol and acetaldehyde in the blood after an oral dose of ethanol were not altered by pretreatment with metronidazole; in contrast, disulfiram caused marked elevation of acetaldehyde levels. When given once only, metronidazole (or possibly a metabolite of it) exerted a mild central depressant effect of its own and produced a dose-dependent increase in the intoxicant effect of ethanol. After repeated administration of metronidazole, synergism with ethanol was not seen. An incidental finding was the production of a volatile material during incubation of solutions containing NAD, which gives an acetone-like peak in gas-liquid chromatograms.


1986 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 305-311 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Arieli

1. Heat production rate (H) of rumen fluid was measured in a direct calorimeter, Basal H of samples of 15 ml rumen fluid mixed with 45 ml buffer was 0.4 mW/ml rumen fluid.2. Addition of glucose (0.4–6.4 mg/sample) was followed by a dose-dependent increase in H. Maximal H was 1.1 rnW/ml and lasted up to 5 min, returning thereafter to the basal level.3. Expression of fermentation heat (Hf; kJ/mol substrate added) against glucose dose indicated an asymptotic dose response.4. Maximal Hf(at infinite dilution) agreed with stoichiometric calculations whereas minimal Hfsuggested a partial fermentation of the substrate at a high-glucose dose in the rumen environment.


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