Steroidogenic Enzyme and Steroid Receptor Expression in the Equine Accessory Sex Glands

The expression pattern and distribution of sex steroid receptors and steroidogenic enzymes during development of the equine accessory sex glands has not previously been described. We hypothesized that equine steroidogenic enzyme and sex steroid receptor expression is dependent on reproductive status. Accessory sex glands were harvested from mature stallions, pre-pubertal colts, geldings, and fetuses. Expression of mRNA for estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), estrogen receptor 2 (ESR2), androgen receptor (AR), 3β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Δ5-4 isomerase (3βHSD), P450,17α hydroxylase, 17–20 lyase (CYP17), and aromatase (CYP19) were quantified by RT-PCR, and protein localization of AR, ER-α, ER-β, and 3βHSD were investigated by immunohistochemistry. Expression of AR, ESR2, CYP17, or CYP19 in the ampulla was not different across reproductive statuses (p > 0.1), while expression of ESR1 was higher in the ampulla of geldings and fetuses than those of stallions or colts (p < 0.05). AR, ESR1 and ESR2 expression were decreased in stallion vesicular glands compared to the fetus or gelding, while AR, ESR1, and CYP17 expression were decreased in the bulbourethral glands compared to other glands. ESR1 expression was increased in the prostate compared to the bulbourethral glands, and no differences were seen with CYP19 or 3β-HSD. In conclusion, sex steroid receptors are expressed in all equine male accessory sex glands in all stages of life, while the steroidogenic enzymes were weakly and variably expressed.

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Recent insights into the origins of adrenal and sex steroid receptors

Journal of Molecular Endocrinology ◽

10.1677/jme.0.0280149 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 28 (3) ◽

pp. 149-152 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

ME Baker

Keyword(s):

Estrogen Receptor ◽

Progesterone Receptor ◽

Gene Transcription ◽

Steroid Receptors ◽

Alternative Hypothesis ◽

Steroid Receptor ◽

Sex Steroid ◽

Sex Steroid Receptors ◽

Receptor Phylogeny ◽

Corticoid Receptor

The recent cloning by Thornton (2001) of estrogen, progesterone and corticoid receptors from lamprey provides important insights into the early evolution of adrenal and sex steroid receptors and an opportunity to elucidate the ancient steroids that regulated gene transcription. Inclusion of lamprey sequences in a steroid receptor phylogeny indicates that the estrogen receptor is the most ancient of these receptors, followed by the progesterone receptor and the corticoid receptor. Thornton proposed that estradiol was the earliest of the steroids to activate a steroid receptor. An alternative hypothesis is that a steroid in the Delta(5) pathway activated the ancestral estrogen receptor.

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Expression of steroidogenic enzymes and sex steroid receptors in the accessory sex glands of the horse

Journal of Equine Veterinary Science ◽

10.1016/j.jevs.2016.06.016 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 43 ◽

pp. S59-S60

Author(s):

R. Ellerbrock ◽

K. Scoggin ◽

B. Ball ◽

I.F. Canisso

Keyword(s):

Steroid Receptors ◽

Sex Steroid ◽

Steroidogenic Enzymes ◽

Accessory Sex Glands ◽

Sex Steroid Receptors

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Sex steroid receptor expression in different adipose depots is modified during midpregnancy

Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology ◽

10.1016/j.mce.2006.01.005 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 249 (1-2) ◽

pp. 58-63 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

S. Rodríguez-Cuenca ◽

M. Gianotti ◽

P. Roca ◽

A.M. Proenza

Keyword(s):

Steroid Receptor ◽

Receptor Expression ◽

Sex Steroid ◽

Steroid Receptor Expression

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Short-term administration of ulipristal acetate modulates endometrial sex steroid receptor expression and cell proliferation markers

Reproduction Abstracts ◽

10.1530/repabs.1.p287 ◽

2014 ◽

Author(s):

Alison A Murray ◽

Grace G Shaw ◽

Moira Nicol ◽

Alistair R W Williams ◽

Philippa T K Saunders ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Proliferation ◽

Steroid Receptor ◽

Receptor Expression ◽

Sex Steroid ◽

Short Term ◽

Proliferation Markers ◽

Ulipristal Acetate ◽

Term Administration ◽

Steroid Receptor Expression

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Adrenal and sex steroid receptor evolution: environmental implications

Journal of Molecular Endocrinology ◽

10.1677/jme.0.0260119 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 119-125 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

ME Baker

Keyword(s):

Nuclear Receptors ◽

Protein Interactions ◽

Steroid Receptors ◽

Sequence Divergence ◽

Heat Shock Protein 90 ◽

Steroid Receptor ◽

Retinoid X Receptor ◽

Sex Steroid ◽

Environmental Implications ◽

Sex Steroid Receptors

The nuclear receptor family responds to a diverse group of ligands, including steroids, retinoids, thyroid hormone, prostaglandins and fatty acids. Previous sequence analyses of adrenal and sex steroid receptors indicate that they form a clade separate from other nuclear receptors. However, the relationships of adrenal and sex steroid receptors to each other and to their ancestors are not fully understood. We have used new information from androgen, estrogen, mineralocorticoid and progesterone receptors in fish to better resolve the phylogeny of adrenal and sex steroid receptors. Sequence divergence between fish and mammalian steroid receptors correlates with differences in steroid specificity, suggesting that phylogeny needs to be considered in evaluating the endocrine effects of xenobiotics. Among the vertebrate steroid receptors, the most ancient is the estrogen receptor. The phylogeny indicates that adrenal and sex steroid receptors arose in a jawless fish or a protochordate and that changes in the sequence of the hormone-binding domain have slowed considerably in land vertebrates. The retinoid X receptor clade is closest to the adrenal and sex steroid receptor clade. Retinoid X receptor is noteworthy for its ability to form dimers with other nuclear receptors, an important mechanism for regulating the action of retinoid X receptor and its dimerization partners. In contrast, the adrenal and sex steroid receptors bind to DNA as homodimers. Moreover, unliganded adrenal and sex steroid receptors form complexes with heat shock protein 90. Thus, the evolution of adrenal and sex steroid receptors involved changes in protein-protein interactions as well as ligand recognition.

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