Expression of steroidogenic enzymes and steroid receptors in foetal gonads of domestic cat-Sex similarities and differences

2016 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
pp. 130-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
BC Braun ◽  
K Jewgenow
Keyword(s):  
Steroid Receptors ◽  
Domestic Cat ◽  
Steroidogenic Enzymes ◽  
Similarities And Differences

Early preantral follicles of the domestic cat express gonadotropin and sex steroid signalling potential

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Kehoe ◽  
K Jewgenow ◽  
P R Johnston ◽  
B C Braun
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Differential Gene Expression ◽  
Steroid Receptors ◽  
Domestic Cat ◽  
Differentially Expressed ◽  
Sex Steroid ◽  
In Vitro Growth ◽  
Steroidogenic Enzymes ◽  
Differential Gene

Abstract Key biomolecular processes which regulate primordial ovarian follicle dormancy and early folliculogenesis in mammalian ovaries are not fully understood. The domestic cat is a useful model to study ovarian folliculogenesis and is the most relevant for developing in vitro growth methods to be implemented in wild felid conservation breeding programs. Previously, RNA-sequencing of primordial, primary, and secondary follicle samples from domestic cat implicated ovarian steroidogenesis and steroid reception during follicle development. Here we aimed to identify which sex steroid biosynthesis and metabolism enzymes, gonadotropin receptors, and sex steroid receptors are present and may be potential regulators. Differential gene expression, functional annotation, and enrichment analyses were employed and protein localisation was studied too. Gene transcripts for PGR, PGRMC1, AR (steroid receptors), CYP11A1, CYP17A1, HSD17B1 and HSD17B17 (steroidogenic enzymes), and STS (steroid metabolising enzyme) were significantly differentially expressed (Q values of ≤0.05). Differential gene expression increased in all transcripts during follicle transitions apart from AR which decreased by the secondary stage. Immunohistochemistry localised FSHR and LHCGR to oocytes at each stage. PGRMC1 immunostaining was strongest in granulosa cells whereas AR was strongest in oocytes throughout each stage. Protein signals for steroidogenic enzymes were only detectable in secondary follicles. Products of these significantly differentially expressed genes may regulate domestic cat preantral folliculogenesis. In vitro growth could be optimised as all early follicles express gonadotropin and steroid receptors meaning hormone interaction and response may be possible. Protein expression analyses of early secondary follicles supported its potential for producing sex steroids.

Disruption in the expression and immunolocalisation of steroid receptors and steroidogenic enzymes in letrozole-induced polycystic ovaries in rat

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 827 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco M. Zurvarra ◽  
Natalia R. Salvetti ◽  
J. Ian Mason ◽  
Melisa M. L. Velazquez ◽  
Natalia S. Alfaro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Expression ◽  
Steroid Receptors ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Polycystic Ovaries ◽  
Steroidogenic Enzymes ◽  
Serum Lh ◽  
Letrozole Treatment ◽  
Serum Hormone ◽  
Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory

The objective of the present study was to characterise the expression and tissue distribution of steroid receptors (oestrogen receptor-α and –β (ERα, ERβ), androgen receptor (AR) and progesterone receptor (PR)) and steroidogenic enzymes (P450 aromatase (P450arom), 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR)) in letrozole-induced polycystic ovaries of rats. Changes in serum hormone levels, protein expression in whole ovaries by western blot analysis and protein localisation by immunohistochemistry were determined in female rats treated with the aromatase inhibitor letrozole and compared with controls in proestrous and diestrous rats. Increases in the serum LH, FSH and testosterone concentrations were observed in letrozole-treated rats whereas serum oestradiol and progesterone levels were reduced. Protein expression as analysed by western immunoblot was consistent with the immunohistochemical data. Letrozole treatment induced an increase in the expression of AR, StAR and 3β-HSD and a decrease in ERβ. ERα, PR and P450arom showed partial changes in relation to some cycle stages. These results indicate that cystogenesis in this experimental model is characterised by changes in steroid receptors and steroidogenic enzyme expression that may be essential to proper ovarian functioning and are in agreement with similar changes observed in women with PCOS.

scholarly journals Expression of Steroid Receptors and Steroidogenic Enzymes in the Baboon (Papio anubis) Corpus Luteum during the Menstrual Cycle and Early Pregnancy1

1997 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 955-962
Author(s):  
Sheri Hild-Petito ◽  
Asgerally T. Fazleabas
Keyword(s):  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Messenger Rna ◽  
Steroid Receptors ◽  
Housekeeping Gene ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Steroidogenic Enzymes ◽  
Papio Anubis ◽  
Luteal Function ◽  
Multiple Transcripts

Abstract As estrogen and progesterone are proposed regulators of luteal function, this study was undertaken to correlate the presence of receptors for these steroids with luteal function during early pregnancy. Corpora lutea (CL) were obtained from nonpregnant baboons during the midluteal [ML; days 7–8 postovulation (PO)] and late luteal (LL; days 11–12 PO) phases of the menstrual cycle or from pregnant baboons on days 18, 25, 29, or 31–33 PO. Estrogen and progestin receptors (ER and PR, respectively) and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3βHSD) were detected by immunocytochemistry using specific monoclonal (H222 for ER; JZB39 for PR) or polyclonal (S683 for 3βHSD) antibodies. In addition, ribonucleic acid (RNA) was extracted from CL, processed for Northern blot analysis, and probed with complementary DNAs to human PR, human 3βHSD, and rat aromatase. Levels of messenger RNA (mRNA) for 3βHSD were quantified by laser densitometric scanning, and the data were normalized to the expression of a housekeeping gene (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) to correct for loading differences. CL did not demonstrate specific nuclear stain for ER at any stage of the menstrual cycle or pregnancy. In contrast, PR-positive cells were present during the ML phase, but decreased during the LL phase (P < 0.05). PR-positive cells were maintained during early pregnancy at levels comparable to the ML phase (P > 0.05). Staining for 3βHSD was present at all stages of the cycle and pregnancy. Although the percent of 3βHSD-positive cells appeared to decrease as pregnancy proceeded, this was not statistically different (P > 0.05). The complementary DNA to PR hybridized to multiple transcripts (∼4.4, 3.1, 1.6, and 0.95 kilobases) in CL of the cycle. A single transcript (∼1.8 kilobases) for 3βHSD was present in CL at all stages of the cycle and pregnancy. The level of 3βHSD mRNA was highest during the ML phase and declined significantly (P < 0.05) during the LL phase and early pregnancy. Three transcripts (∼3.6, 3.0, and 1.7 kilobases) for aromatase were detected in CL of the cycle and pregnancy. Aromatase mRNA increased during early pregnancy. These results support the concept of PR-mediated events, but not ER-regulated processes in the primate CL. Furthermore, the data suggest that the steroidogenic enzymes 3βHSD and aromatase are differentially regulated during early pregnancy.

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