Seasonal differences in ovarian activity in cows

1984 ◽  
Vol 102 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. P. McNatty ◽  
N. Hudson ◽  
M. Gibb ◽  
K. M. Henderson ◽  
S. Lun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Granulosa Cells ◽  
Ovarian Function ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Peak Frequency ◽  
Ovarian Activity ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Aromatase Activity ◽  
Plasma Prolactin ◽  
Seasonal Differences ◽  
Time Of Year

ABSTRACT The plasma concentrations of LH and prolactin and various parameters of ovarian function were examined in cows on known days of the oestrous cycle during May and June (autumn and winter) and during October (spring). Luteinizing hormone peak frequency and plasma prolactin concentrations were significantly higher in October than during the May–June period (LH, P<0·05; prolactin, P<0·01). The mean diameters of large healthy follicles (≥8 mm diameter) and the dominant oestrogen-secreting follicles were significantly larger (P<0·01 for both follicle types) and each follicle contained more granulosa cells (both P<0·01) in May–June than in October. The LH responsiveness of theca interna with respect to androstenedione production and the levels of aromatase activity in granulosa cells did not differ with time of year. The corpora lutea were heavier (P<0·05) and secreted more progesterone (P<0·01) in May–June than in October. It is concluded that seasonal differences in ovarian activity exist in cows and that these differences are probably the consequence of seasonal differences in gonadotrophin secretion. J. Endocr. (1984) 102, 189–198

Effect of chronic FSH administration on ovarian follicular development, ovulation rate and corpora lutea formation in sheep

1993 ◽  
Vol 138 (2) ◽  
pp. 315-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. P. McNatty ◽  
N. L. Hudson ◽  
D. A. Heath ◽  
L. Shaw ◽  
L. Blay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Granulosa Cells ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Aromatase Activity ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Antral Follicles ◽  
Linear Relationships ◽  
The Mean

ABSTRACT This study in ewes examined the effects on ovarian function of a pulsatile regimen of ovine FSH (NIADDK-oFSH-17) administered over a 24- to 28-day period beginning on day 1 of the oestrous cycle (day 0 = oestrus). The FSH (1·66 μg or 5·00 μg) was administered i.v. over a 1-min interval once every hour throughout the treatment period. In other ewes ovine LH (NIDDK-oLH-23) was administered (10 μg once every 2 h) for 24–28 days together with oFSH (1·66 μg/h). Compared with untreated controls (n = 19 ewes), FSH alone at both doses (n = 19 ewes/dose) as well as the FSH +LH treatment (n=10) led to significant increases in the plasma concentrations of FSH (P <0·01), ovarian weight (P <0·05) and ovulation rate (P <0·01) but there was no change in the mean weight of individual corpora lutea (CL). Exogenous FSH at the high but not the low dose alone or with LH stimulated a significant overall increase in plasma inhibin concentrations (P <0·05). The geometric mean (and 95% confidence limits) ovulation rates in the high FSH (i.e. 5·00 μg/h), low FSH (i.e. 1·66 μg/h), low FSH+LH, and control treatment groups were 15·3 (9·3, 24·8), 3·7 (2·1, 6·0), 3·7 (2·5, 5·8) and 1·4 (1·2, 1·7) respectively. The FSH or FSH+LH treatments did not alter the total numbers of antral follicles (≥1 mm diameter). However, the high but not the low FSH or low FSH + LH treatment led to significant increases in the mean numbers of large follicles (i.e. >4·5 mm diameter; P<0·01) and a higher proportion of non-atretic antral follicles. Highly significant linear relationships were found between the mean plasma concentrations of FSH or inhibin and the ovulation rate (FSH: r=0·74, P<0·0001; inhibin: r=0·93, P<0·0001). Highly significant linear relationships were also found between the plasma concentrations of FSH or inhibin and the number of large follicles (i.e. >4·5 mm diameter; FSH, r=0·78, P<0·0001; inhibin, r=0·80, P<0·0001) and between the plasma concentrations of inhibin and the number of granulosa cells in large follicles (r=0·78, P<0·0001). After the high FSH but not the low FSH treatment there were significant increases in both FSH- and LH-induced responsiveness in granulosa cells with respect to cyclic AMP synthesis in vitro. In the high FSH treatment group, granulosa cells from 1–2·5 mm diameter follicles were responsive to LH whereas, in the low FSH or FSH + LH treatment groups and the controls, granulosa cells were not responsive to LH until the follicles were >4·5 mm in diameter. FSH or FSH+ LH treatment did not lead to increases in aromatase activity in granulosa cells (i.e. when expressed on a per cell basis) or to increases in oestradiol in follicular fluid. Collectively these results show that chronic increases in plasma FSH concentrations influence, in a dose–responsive manner, the size distribution of antral follicles, the proportion of non-atretic follicles, the number of follicles with peak aromatase activity and the ovulation rate, without altering the total number of antral follicles, the granulosa cell composition of individual follicles or the sizes of individual CL. Exogenous FSH treatment at high but not low doses enhanced the sensitivities of granulosa cells to both FSH and LH in vitro. Increases in plasma FSH also led to higher concentrations of plasma inhibin as a consequence of an increase in the number of large follicles and thus the number of granulosa cells. Journal of Endocrinology (1993) 138, 315–325

EFFECT OF GLUCOSE INFUSION ON METABOLIC AND REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION IN POSTPARTUM BEEF COWS

1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 1079-1087 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. P. McCAUGHEY ◽  
L. M. RUTTER ◽  
J. G. MANNS
Keyword(s):  
Luteinizing Hormone ◽  
Ovarian Function ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Reproductive Function ◽  
Beef Cows ◽  
Glucose Infusion ◽  
Ovarian Activity ◽  
Beef Cow ◽  
Constant Rate ◽  
Infusion Period

An experiment was conducted to determine if glucose infusion could alter hypothalamic, pituitary or ovarian function in the postpartum (PP) beef cow. Twenty-six cows were assigned randomly at parturition to one of three infusion treatments. Controls (CON, n = 8) received 0.9% NaCl from days 26 to 32 PP. Glucose-infused animals (GLU, n = 8) received glucose at a constant rate of 4 mg min−1 kg−0.75 from days 26 to 32 PP, while glucose-spiked cows (SPIKE, n = 10) received glucose at rates up to 8 mg min−1 kg−0.75 for 48 h (days 26 and 27 PP), then received 0.9% NaCl as in CON. On day 32 PP 25 μg of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) was injected intravenously and blood samples were taken at 15- to 30-min intervals to evaluate pituitary release of luteinizing hormone (LH). During the entire infusion period, GLU had lower (P < 0.05) daily free fatty acid concentrations than either SPIKE or CON. Plasma concentrations of glucose in cows receiving the SPIKE treatment were elevated (P < 0.05) during the 48-h infusion period when compared to GLU and CON. In addition, glucose concentrations were higher (P < 0.05) in the GLU group than in the CON group during the first 48 h of infusion. For the remaining 4 d of the infusion period, plasma concentrations of glucose were similar between CON and GLU. Plasma insulin values were numerically but not significantly higher in GLU than in CON over the 6-d infusion period. During the 48-h glucose spike treatment insulin levels were elevated (P < 0.05) over preinfusion values and higher (P < 0.05) than both CON and GLU. Glucose infusion did not alter concentrations of plasma LH or the response to exogenous GnRH. The number of cows exhibiting ovarian activity by day 53 PP was similar among treatments. Key words: Beef cattle, glucose, reproduction, energy, luteinizing hormone, metabolism

58 OVARIAN DOWN-REGULATION WITH ORAL PROGESTIN FOR FIXED-TIME LAPAROSCOPIC OVIDUCTAL ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION WITH FRESHLY COLLECTED AND FROZEN–THAWED SPERMATOZOA IN DOMESTIC CATS

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 143 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. F. Swanson ◽  
J. Newsom ◽  
L. A. Lyons ◽  
R. A. Grahn ◽  
H. L. Bateman
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Function ◽  
Fixed Time ◽  
Ovarian Activity ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Domestic Cats ◽  
Soy Lecithin ◽  
Frozen Semen ◽  
Progestin Treatment ◽  
Relative Fertility

Laparoscopic oviductal AI (LO-AI) with low numbers of freshly collected or frozen-thawed spermatozoa has resulted in high pregnancy success (50–70%) in domestic cats. However, proper timing of AI depends on identifying anestrual, non-luteal queens before exogenous gonadotropin injection, confounding AI scheduling and limiting applicability with felids housed at distant institutions. Recent research (Stewart et al. 2012 Biol. Reprod. 87, 1–11) has shown that daily oral progestin treatment is effective for down-regulating ovarian activity in cats and allowing synchronized stimulation with exogenous gonadotropins. Our study objectives were to (1) assess the effect of oral progestin treatment on pregnancy success following LO-AI in domestic cats and (2) compare relative fertility following LO-AI of each female with low numbers of freshly collected versus frozen-thawed spermatozoa. Young (<2 years old), nulliparous domestic cats were assigned to either control (Con; n = 8) or oral progestin (OP; n = 7) treatment groups. Con females were monitored daily for behavioural oestrus and blood samples from anestrual females assessed for progesterone concentration to confirm non-luteal status before exogenous gonadotropin treatment [100 IU of eCG followed 85 h later with 1000 IU of porcine LH (pLH)]. Oral progestin females were fed altrenogest (Regu-Mate; 0.088 mg kg–1 of body weight) mixed in moist cat food for 38 consecutive days and then treated with exogenous gonadotropins 6 days after altrenogest cessation. At 31 to 33 h post-pLH treatment, each female was inseminated via laparoscopy in 1 oviduct with freshly collected sperm (motile) from 1 male and frozen-thawed sperm (motile; frozen in a soy lecithin-based cryomedium) from a second male. Ultrasonography was conducted approximately Day 21 post-AI for pregnancy diagnosis. Pregnant females were spayed immediately and recovered fetuses assessed for paternity using short tandem repeat molecular marker analysis to determine relative fertility of fresh versus frozen semen. All females ovulated following gonadotropin treatment, averaging ( ± standard error of the mean) 20.6 ± 1.7 corpora lutea per queen. Most [12/15 (80%)] females conceived following LO-AI, producing an average of 8.1 ± 1.4 implantations and 5.9 ± 1.2 fetuses per pregnancy. There was no difference (P > 0.05) between Con and OP cats in pregnancy success [Con: 6/8 (75%); OP: 6/7 (86%)] or in mean implantation number (Con: 6.0 ± 1.8; OP: 10.2 ± 2.0) or fetal number (Con: 4.3 ± 1.6; OP: 7.5 ± 1.6) in pregnant cats. Paternity assessment revealed that freshly collected and frozen-thawed spermatozoa were equally effective (P > 0.05) in producing pregnancies (fresh: 11/15 (73%); frozen: 10/15 (67%)], with no difference (P > 0.05) in total fetal numbers [fresh: 37/69 (54%); frozen: 32/69 (46%)]. These results indicate that oral progestin treatment may be used to down-regulate ovarian function in felids for fixed-time AI without compromising fertility in vivo, and that LO-AI with low numbers of cat sperm frozen in a soy lecithin medium may produce high pregnancy percentages and normal litter sizes.

Involvement of the adrenal gland in the suckling-induced decrease in LH and FSH secretion and the concomitant increase in prolactin secretion in the rat

1990 ◽  
Vol 125 (2) ◽  
pp. 279-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Taya ◽  
S. Sasamoto
Keyword(s):  
Adrenal Gland ◽  
Ovarian Function ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Prolactin Secretion ◽  
Plasma Prolactin ◽  
Luteal Function ◽  
Follicular Maturation ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Ovulatory Follicles

ABSTRACT The role of the adrenal gland in the regulation of gonadotrophin and prolactin secretion in the lactating rat was investigated. Changes in secretion of LH, FSH, prolactin, ACTH, β-lipotrophin (β-LPH), inhibin, corticosterone and progesterone after adrenalectomy were examined during the second half of lactation. Follicular maturation was determined by the ability of the follicles to ovulate in response to 10IU human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). Adrenalectomy on day 10 of lactation prevented an increase in plasma concentrations of LH and FSH in response to ovariectomy performed at the same time as adrenalectomy, and markedly stimulated secretion of ACTH, β-LPH and prolactin. Adrenalectomy reduced the number of follicles capable of ovulating in response to hCG. Concentrations of inhibin and progesterone in the plasma significantly decreased after adrenalectomy, indicating that development of ovulatory follicles and luteal function had been suppressed. Abolishing the increase in plasma concentrations of LH and inducing a decrease in FSH in the plasma by adrenalectomy therefore prevented maturation of a new set of follicles usually seen during the second half of lactation in rats. The decrease in plasma concentrations of LH also inhibited the ability of the corpus luteum to secrete progesterone, although high concentrations of plasma prolactin were maintained in adrenalectomized lactating rats. These results indicate that the pituitary-adrenal system is capable of influencing the maintenance of a normal secretion of gonadotrophin and prolactin as well as the maintenance of ovarian function during lactation in the rat. Journal of Endocrinology (1990) 125, 279—285

scholarly journals Fibroblast Growth Factor-9, a Local Regulator of Ovarian Function

Endocrinology ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 148 (8) ◽  
pp. 3711-3721 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann E. Drummond ◽  
Marianne Tellbach ◽  
Mitzi Dyson ◽  
Jock K. Findlay
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Fibroblast Growth Factor ◽  
Granulosa Cells ◽  
Ovarian Function ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Fibroblast Growth ◽  
Immature Rat ◽  
Progesterone Production ◽  
Rat Ovary

Fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) is widely expressed in embryos and fetuses and has been shown to be involved in male sex determination, testicular cord formation, and Sertoli cell differentiation. Given its male gender bias, the ovary has not been reported to express FGF9, nor has a role in ovarian function been explored. We report here that FGF9 mRNA and protein are present in the rat ovary and provide evidence that supports a role for FGF9 in ovarian progesterone production. FGF9 mRNA levels as determined by real-time PCR were high in 4-d-old rat ovaries, thereafter declining and stabilizing at levels approximately 30% of d 4 levels at d 12–25. Levels of FGF9 mRNA in the ovary were significantly higher than that present in adult testis, at all ages studied. The FGF9 receptors FGFR2 and FGFR3 mRNAs were present in postnatal and immature rat ovary and appeared to be constitutively expressed. FGF9 protein was localized to theca, stromal cells, and corpora lutea and FGFR2 and FGFR3 proteins to granulosa cells, theca cells, oocytes, and corpora lutea, by immunohistochemistry. Follicular differentiation induced by gonadotropin treatment reduced the expression of FGF9 mRNA by immature rat ovaries, whereas the estrogen-stimulated development of large preantral follicles had no significant effect. In vitro, FGF9 stimulated progesterone production by granulosa cells beyond that elicited by a maximally stimulating dose of FSH. When the granulosa cells were pretreated with FSH to induce LH receptors, FGF9 was found not to be as potent as LH in stimulating progesterone production, nor did it enhance LH-stimulated production. The combined treatments of FSH/FGF9 and FSH/LH, however, were most effective at stimulating progesterone production by these differentiated granulosa cells. Analyses of steroidogenic regulatory proteins indicate that steroidogenic acute regulatory protein and P450 side chain cleavage mRNA levels were enhanced by FGF9, providing a mechanism of action for the increased progesterone synthesis. In summary, the data are consistent with a paracrine role for FGF9 in the ovary.

Effect of adrenalectomy on the regulation of ovarian function during lactation in the rat

1983 ◽  
Vol 98 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. J. de Greef ◽  
P. van der Schoot
Keyword(s):  
Adrenal Glands ◽  
Ovarian Function ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Acute Effect ◽  
Prolactin Secretion ◽  
Daily Treatment ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Plasma Prolactin ◽  
Adrenal Hormones ◽  
Adrenalectomized Rats

Corpora lutea formed after post-partum ovulation in the rat become functionally active under the influence of prolactin released as a result of suckling. During this period of luteal activity (lactational pseudopregnancy) ovulations do not occur. Despite continued suckling plasma prolactin declines gradually during lactation but this gradual decrease was not observed when adrenalectomy was performed on day 2 of lactation. The prolongation of lactational pseudopregnancy after adrenalectomy is probably associated with this observation. Daily treatment of adrenalectomized lactating rats with 5 mg corticosterone acetate, but not with 1·5 mg, reduced the duration of lactational pseudopregnancy to that of controls. Removal of litters of five pups on day 13 of lactation was followed by resumption of ovulation 3 days later in control animals. However, in adrenalectomized rats the interval between removal of the five-pup litter and the next ovulation was prolonged to 10 or more days because of the persistence of luteal activity. This prolonged interval in adrenalectomized rats was not caused by an acute effect of the absence of adrenal hormones since it was not observed in rats which had been adrenalectomized 3 days before removal of the litter. Furthermore, the increase in the interval between removal of the five-pup litter and resumption of ovulation was also not due to the absence of the main glucocorticoid in the rat, since daily treatment with corticosterone from the day of adrenalectomy failed to prevent the occurrence of the long delay. Adrenal transplants could, however, prevent the effect induced by adrenalectomy. Since the medulla of these transplants had become necrotic, it seems that factors of adrenocortical, but not of adrenal medullary origin, are important in preventing the occurrence of the prolonged interval. It is concluded that the adrenal glands affect the regulation of prolactin secretion during lactation and, as a consequence, are important in establishing the duration of the anovulatory state during lactation.

Effect of season and photoperiod on the time of first postpartum ovulation in Awassi ewes

2011 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 497-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vera Faigl ◽  
Mónika Keresztes ◽  
Alíz Márton ◽  
Hedvig Fébel ◽  
Margit Kulcsár ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Ovarian Function ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Negative Energy ◽  
Negative Energy Balance ◽  
Plasma Metabolites ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Ovarian Activity ◽  
Seasonal Differences ◽  
Igf I

Seasonal differences in the resumption of postpartum ovarian activity, milk production and periparturient metabolic status were investigated in lactating non-suckling dairy Awassi sheep in two consecutive experiments. In Experiment 1, autumn-lambing (AL, n = 27) and spring-lambing (SL, n = 37) ewes were investigated. Ovarian activity was monitored by means of individual progesterone (P4) profiles from day 5 to day 100 post partum. Most of the AL dams (89%) ovulated till day 35 after parturition and became cyclic thereafter. Incidence of persistent corpus luteum (CLP) and short luteal phases (sCL) was frequent (18% and 29%, respectively) among non-conceiving dams. In contrast, only 24% of the SL ewes ovulated before day 35. P4 levels during the luteal phase were lower in cyclic animals, and the cycle was longer in SL than in AL animals. No CLP or sCL was detected in the spring-lambing group, and 61% of SL ewes remained acyclic till the end of the trial. Lactation length was significantly longer in SL dams than in AL ewes (P = 0.008). According to the plasma metabolites (BHB, NEFA) and metabolic hormones (insulin, IGF-I, thyroxine) examined, negative energy balance did not appear in any of the animals. However, seasonal differences were seen in IGF-I and thyroxine levels, which were higher in the SL dams. In Experiment 2, influence of additional lighting was studied in autumn-lambing ewes. The long-day photoperiod (LD, n = 23) group was exposed to artificial light from sunset till midnight (approx. 16 h light/8 h dark) from some weeks before the expected date of delivery in mid-September until the end of December. The control group (n = 25) experienced only natural daylength. The first postpartum ovulation tended to occur later in the LD animals than in the controls (P = 0.047). The lactation of the LD group tended to be longer (P = 0.061). NEFA, BHB, insulin, IGF-I and thyroxine levels did not differ between the groups. Conclusions: (i) The ovarian function of the Awassi population is seasonal under temperate continental climate conditions. (ii) The first postpartum ovulation of non-suckling, autumn-lambing dams may occur very early, even before the completion of uterine involution. (iii) Additional artificial lighting may delay the time of first postpartum ovulation in AL ewes. (iv) Postpartum negative energy balance is unlikely to occur in dairy Awassi ewes even in high-producing intensive systems.

scholarly journals Transcriptome analysis during photostimulated recrudescence reveals distinct patterns of gene regulation in Siberian hamster ovaries†

2019 ◽  
Vol 102 (3) ◽  
pp. 539-559
Author(s):  
Kathleen Leon ◽  
Jon D Hennebold ◽  
Suzanne S Fei ◽  
Kelly A Young
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Function ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Reproductive Function ◽  
Systematic Investigation ◽  
Ovarian Activity ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Gonadotropin Secretion ◽  
Siberian Hamsters ◽  
Ovary Function ◽  
Ovarian Cyclicity

Abstract In Siberian hamsters, exposure to short days (SDs, 8 h light:16 h dark) reduces reproductive function centrally by decreasing gonadotropin secretion, whereas subsequent transfer of photoinhibited hamsters to stimulatory long days (LDs, 16 L:8 D) promotes follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) release inducing ovarian recrudescence. Although differences between SD and LD ovaries have been investigated, a systematic investigation of the ovarian transcriptome across photoperiod groups to identify potentially novel factors that contribute to photostimulated restoration of ovarian function had not been conducted. Hamsters were assigned to one of four photoperiod groups: LD to maintain ovarian cyclicity, SD to induce ovarian regression, or post transfer (PT), where females housed in SD for 14-weeks were transferred to LD for 2-days or 1-week to reflect photostimulated ovaries prior to (PTd2) and following (PTw1) the return of systemic FSH. Ovarian RNA was extracted to create RNA-sequencing libraries and short-read sequencing Illumina assays that mapped and quantified the ovarian transcriptomes (n = 4/group). Ovarian and uterine masses, plasma FSH, and numbers of antral follicles and corpora lutea decreased in SD as compared to LD ovaries (P &lt; 0.05). When reads were aligned to the mouse genome, 18 548 genes were sufficiently quantified. Most of the differentially expressed genes noted between functional LD ovaries and regressed SD ovaries; however, five main expression patterns were identified across photoperiod groups. These results, generally corroborated by select protein immunostaining, provide a map of photoregulated ovary function and identify novel genes that may contribute to the photostimulated resumption of ovarian activity.

scholarly journals Seminal plasma regulates ovarian progesterone production, leukocyte recruitment and follicular cell responses in the pig

Reproduction ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 132 (1) ◽  
pp. 147-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
S O’Leary ◽  
M J Jasper ◽  
S A Robertson ◽  
D T Armstrong
Keyword(s):  
Seminal Plasma ◽  
Granulosa Cells ◽  
Ovarian Function ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Ovarian Tissue ◽  
Leukocyte Recruitment ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Cell Trafficking ◽  
Progesterone Production

Seminal plasma (SP) acts to influence the uterine endometrium after mating, activating synthesis of embryotrophic cytokines and inflammatory changes that condition the tract for embryo implantation and establishing pregnancy. The objective of this study was to investigate in pigs whether the ovary might also be responsive to SP exposure. Prepubertal gilts were synchronised with exogenous gonadotrophins and received transcervical treatment with pooled boar SP or PBS; then the ovarian tissue was recovered at 34 h (preovulation) and on days 5 and 9 after treatment. The ovarian response was assessed by measuring ovulation rate, number and size of corpora lutea, ovarian leukocyte populations, progesterone productionin vivo, as well as responses of retrieved granulosa cells culturedin vitro. In SP-treated gilts, leukocyte recruitment into the ovarian tissues was increased fourfold at 34 h, with macrophages comprising the most abundant cell lineage. There was no effect of SP on the number of oocytes ovulated; however, the weight of corpora lutea was increased in SP-treated gilts. SP also induced an increase in plasma progesterone content seen from day 5 to at least day 9 after treatment. In addition, granulosa cells and thecal tissue retrieved from preovulatory follicles of SP-treated gilts were more responsivein vitroto growth factor- and gonadotrophin-stimulated cell proliferation and progesterone synthesis. These results suggest that uterine exposure to SP influences immune cell trafficking in the ovary and enhances steroidogenesis in early pregnancy. The effects of SP on ovarian function potentially contribute to reproductive success in the pig.

Expression of collagenase-3 in the rat ovary during the ovulatory process

1996 ◽  
Vol 149 (3) ◽  
pp. 405-415 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Balbín ◽  
A Fueyo ◽  
J M López ◽  
I Díez-Itza ◽  
G Velasco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mammary Gland ◽  
Matrix Metalloproteinase ◽  
Granulosa Cells ◽  
Northern Blot ◽  
Blot Analysis ◽  
Northern Blot Analysis ◽  
Ovarian Function ◽  
Ovarian Tissue ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Rat Ovary

Abstract We have examined the expression of the murine counterpart of human collagenase-3, a matrix metalloproteinase produced by breast carcinomas, in the course of processes which involve extensive tissue remodeling. By using Northern blot analysis, we have found that collagenase-3 is expressed in the rat ovary, but not in the remaining analyzed tissues including brain, kidney, liver, lung, mammary gland, uterus, bladder, heart, intestine, prostate, spleen, testis and thymus. Collagenase-3 mRNA was detected at high levels in rat ovaries at proestrus and estrus, was at a minimum at metestrus and started to increase during diestrus through to proestrus. In addition, collagenase-3 was also detected on day 21 of pregnancy, which is approximately one day before parturition. However, no significative expression was detected in RNA from ovaries taken immediately after parturition, or on days 1, 5 or 30 postpartum. Northern blot analysis also revealed that collagenase-3 was not expressed at significant levels, compared with ovarian expression, in the uterus or in the mammary gland during pregnancy or after parturition. When follicular granulosa cells were separated from residual ovarian tissue and their RNA was analyzed by Northern blot, it was seen that collagenase-3 was not expressed by the granulosa cells but was present in the residual tissue containing interstitial and thecal tissues, growing follicles and corpora lutea. Immunohistochemical studies also confirmed, at the protein level, the localization of collagenase-3 in rat ovary. Gonadotropic stimulation of ovulation in immature rats by priming with pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin and stimulation with human chorionic gonadotropin failed to induce the expression of collagenase-3, suggesting that additional factors which are not present in the immature stimulated rats are needed for completely effective induction of the expression of this matrix metalloproteinase. On the basis of these results, together with the comparative analysis of expression of different matrix metalloproteinases in the rat ovary, we propose that collagenase-3 is a major ovarian metalloproteinase potentially involved in ovarian function during the reproductive cycle. Journal of Endocrinology (1996) 149, 405–415

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