scholarly journals Development of Primordial Follicles in the Hamster: Role of Estradiol-17β

Endocrinology ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 148 (4) ◽  
pp. 1707-1716 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng Wang ◽  
Shyamal K. Roy
Keyword(s):  
Primordial Follicle ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Primordial Follicles ◽  
Ici 182,780 ◽  
Higher Doses ◽  
Estradiol 17Β ◽  
Modest Reduction

The role of E2 on primordial follicle formation was examined by treating neonatal hamsters with 1 or 2 μg estradiol cypionate (ECP) at age postnatal d 1 (P1) and P4 or by in vitro culture of embryonic d 15 (E15) ovaries with 1, 5, or 10 ng/ml estradiol-17β (E2). The specificity of E2 action was examined by ICI 182,780. One microgram of ECP maintained serum levels of E2 within the physiological range, significantly reduced apoptosis, and stimulated the formation and development of primordial follicles. In contrast, 2 μg ECP increased serum E2 levels to 400 pg/ml and had significantly less influence on primordial follicle formation. In vivo, ICI 182,780 significantly increased apoptosis and caused a modest reduction in primordial follicle formation. The formation and development of primordial follicles in vitro increased markedly with 1 ng/ml E2, and the effect was blocked by ICI 182,780. Higher doses of E2 had no effect on primordial follicle formation but significantly up-regulated apoptosis, which was blocked by ICI 182,780. CYP19A1 mRNA expression occurred by E13 and increased with the formation of primordial follicles. P4 ovaries synthesized E2 from testosterone, which increased further by FSH. Both testosterone and FSH maintained ovarian CYP19A1 mRNA, but FSH up-regulated the expression. These results suggest that neonatal hamster ovaries produce E2 under FSH control and that E2 action is essential for the survival and differentiation of somatic cells and the oocytes leading to the formation and development of primordial follicles. This supportive action of E2 is lost when hormone levels increase above a threshold.

scholarly journals The Follistatin-288 Isoform Alone Is Sufficient for Survival But Not for Normal Fertility in Mice

Endocrinology ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 151 (3) ◽  
pp. 1310-1319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fuminori Kimura ◽  
Yisrael Sidis ◽  
Lara Bonomi ◽  
Yin Xia ◽  
Alan Schneyer
Keyword(s):  
Primordial Follicle ◽  
Protein Isoforms ◽  
Differential Distribution ◽  
Primordial Follicles ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Old Females ◽  
Tgfβ Superfamily

Follistatin (FST) is a natural antagonist of activin and related TGFβ superfamily ligands that exists as three protein isoforms differing in length at the C terminus. The longest FST315 isoform is found in the circulation, whereas the shortest FST288 isoform is typically found in or on cells and tissues, and the intermediate FST303 isoform is found in gonads. We recently demonstrated that the FST isoforms have distinct biological actions in vitro that, taken together with the differential distribution, suggests they may also have different roles in vivo. To explore the specific role of individual FST isoforms, we created a single-isoform FST288-only mouse. In contrast to the neonatal death of FST global knockout mice, FST288-only mice survive to adulthood. Although they appear normal, FST288-only mice have fertility defects including reduced litter size and frequency. Follicles were counted in ovaries from 8.5- to 400-d-old females. Significantly fewer morphologically healthy antral follicles were found in 100- to 250-d FST288-only ovaries, but there were significantly more secondary, primary, and primordial follicles detected at d 8.5 in FST288-only ovaries. However, depletion of this primordial follicle pool is more rapid in FST288-only females resulting in a deficit by 250 d of age and early cessation of reproduction. Superovulated FST288-only females have fewer ovulated eggs and embryos. These results indicate that the FST isoforms have different activities in vivo, that the FST288-only isoform is sufficient for development, and that loss of FST303 and FST315 isoforms results in fertility defects that resemble activin hyperactivity and premature ovarian failure.

scholarly journals Elevation of interleukin-6 in response to a chronic inflammatory stimulus in mice: inhibition by indomethacin

Blood ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 194-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Shacter ◽  
GK Arzadon ◽  
J Williams
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Cell ◽  
Peritoneal Cavity ◽  
Interleukin 6 ◽  
Chronic Administration ◽  
Inflammatory Cells ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Chronic Inflammatory Response

Abstract Intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of a mineral oil such as pristane induces a chronic inflammatory response in mice. This is characterized by a large influx of macrophages and other inflammatory cells into the peritoneal cavity for months after injection of the oil. By using the B9 cell bioassay, it was found that injection of pristane caused a marked and prolonged elevation of interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in the peritoneal cavities of the mice. IL-6 was undetectable (less than 15 U/mL) in the peritoneal fluids of unprimed mice and during the first week after injecting pristane. From 4 to 20 weeks, the concentration of IL-6 increased to an apparent plateau with concentrations ranging from 200 to 2,000 U/mL. Increasing the dose of pristane did not substantially increase the peritoneal levels of IL-6 established at 20 weeks after pristane treatment. At later times (by day 250), the level decreased to 263 +/- 217 U/mL. However, mice that developed plasma cell tumors around day 300 showed high levels of IL-6 in the ascites fluid (650 to 2,400 U/mL). Serum levels of IL-6 were also elevated in pristane-primed mice but were substantially lower than those found in the peritoneal cavity. Chronic administration of the nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory drug indomethacin decreased the levels of IL-6 by 75% to 80%. Experiments performed in vitro showed that pristane-elicited macrophages secreted low levels of IL-6 constitutively and high levels of IL-6 in the presence of lipopolysaccharide. Both IL-6 and prostaglandin E2 production were inhibited by addition of indomethacin to macrophage cultures in vitro. Treatment of mice with pristane may provide a model system for studying the inflammatory pathways that control IL-6 levels in vivo. The relevance of these results to elucidation of the role of IL-6 in plasma cell tumorigenesis is discussed.

scholarly journals Estradiol, Progesterone, and Genistein Inhibit Oocyte Nest Breakdown and Primordial Follicle Assembly in the Neonatal Mouse Ovary in Vitro and in Vivo

Endocrinology ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 148 (8) ◽  
pp. 3580-3590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Chen ◽  
Wendy N. Jefferson ◽  
Retha R. Newbold ◽  
Elizabeth Padilla-Banks ◽  
Melissa E. Pepling
Keyword(s):  
Organ Culture ◽  
Primordial Follicle ◽  
Estrogen Signaling ◽  
Primordial Follicles ◽  
Oocyte Number ◽  
Genistein Treatment ◽  
Normal Environment ◽  
Synthetic Estrogens

In developing mouse ovaries, oocytes develop as clusters of cells called nests or germ cell cysts. Shortly after birth, oocyte nests dissociate and granulosa cells surround individual oocytes forming primordial follicles. At the same time, two thirds of the oocytes die by apoptosis, but the link between oocyte nest breakdown and oocyte death is unclear. Although mechanisms controlling breakdown of nests into individual oocytes and selection of oocytes for survival are currently unknown, steroid hormones may play a role. Treatment of neonatal mice with natural or synthetic estrogens results in abnormal multiple oocyte follicles in adult ovaries. Neonatal genistein treatment inhibits nest breakdown suggesting multiple oocyte follicles are nests that did not break down. Here we investigated the role of estrogen signaling in nest breakdown and oocyte survival. We characterized an ovary organ culture system that recapitulates nest breakdown, reduction in oocyte number, primordial follicle assembly, and follicle growth in vitro. We found that estradiol, progesterone, and genistein inhibit nest breakdown and primordial follicle assembly but have no effect on oocyte number both in organ culture and in vivo. Fetal ovaries, removed from their normal environment of high levels of pregnancy hormones, underwent premature nest breakdown and oocyte loss that was rescued by addition of estradiol or progesterone. Our results implicate hormone signaling in ovarian differentiation with decreased estrogen and progesterone at birth as the primary signal to initiate oocyte nest breakdown and follicle assembly. These findings also provide insight into the mechanism of multiple oocyte follicle formation.

scholarly journals Blocking Jak/STAT signalling using tofacitinib inhibits angiogenesis in experimental arthritis

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paola Di Benedetto ◽  
Piero Ruscitti ◽  
Onorina Berardicurti ◽  
Noemi Panzera ◽  
Nicolò Grazia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Serum Levels ◽  
Tube Formation ◽  
Boyden Chamber ◽  
Arthritis Score ◽  
Ethical Approval ◽  
Synovial Tissues ◽  
In Vivo Administration

Abstract Objective During rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the angiogenic processes, occurring with pannus-formation, may be a therapeutic target. JAK/STAT-pathway may play a role and the aim of this work was to investigate the inhibiting role of a JAK-inhibitor, tofacitinib, on the angiogenic mechanisms occurring during RA. Methods After ethical approval, JAK-1, JAK-3, STAT-1, STAT-3 and VEGF expression was evaluated on RA-synovial-tissues. In vitro, endothelial cells (ECs), stimulated with 20 ng/ml of VEGF and/or 1 μM of tofacitinib, were assessed for tube formation, migration and proliferation, by Matrigel, Boyden chamber assay and ki67 gene-expression. In vivo, 32 mice received collagen (collagen-induced arthritis (CIA)) and 32 mice PBS (control). At day 19, CIA and controls mice were divided: 16 mice receiving vehicle and 16 mice receiving tofacitinib. At day 35, the arthritis score, the thickness of paw joints and the serum levels of VEGF and Ang-2 were evaluated. Results The expression of JAK-1, JAK-3, STAT-1, STAT-3 and VEGF in synovial tissue of RA-patients were significantly higher than healthy controls. In vitro, tofacitinib inhibited the ECs ability to form vessels, to proliferate and to migrate. In vivo, administration of tofacitinib prevented the increase of the arthritis score, the paw thickness, the synovial vessels and VEGF and Ang-2 serum-accumulation, when compared to CIA without tofacitinib. Conclusions We explored the anti-angiogenic role of tofacitinib, reporting its ability to inhibit in vitro the angiogenic mechanisms of ECs and in vivo the formation of new synovial vessels, occurring in CIA model. These findings suggest that the therapeutic effect of tofacitinib during RA may be also related to its anti-angiogenic activity.

scholarly journals A sex-specific role for androgens in angiogenesis

2010 ◽  
Vol 207 (2) ◽  
pp. 345-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel P. Sieveking ◽  
Patrick Lim ◽  
Renée W.Y. Chow ◽  
Louise L. Dunn ◽  
Shisan Bao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Serum Levels ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Androgen Treatment ◽  
Androgen Exposure ◽  
Androgen Sensitivity ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Or Gene

Mounting evidence suggests that in men, serum levels of testosterone are negatively correlated to cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. We studied the role of androgens in angiogenesis, a process critical in cardiovascular repair/regeneration, in males and females. Androgen exposure augmented key angiogenic events in vitro. Strikingly, this occurred in male but not female endothelial cells (ECs). Androgen receptor (AR) antagonism or gene knockdown abrogated these effects in male ECs. Overexpression of AR in female ECs conferred androgen sensitivity with respect to angiogenesis. In vivo, castration dramatically reduced neovascularization of Matrigel plugs. Androgen treatment fully reversed this effect in male mice but had no effect in female mice. Furthermore, orchidectomy impaired blood-flow recovery from hindlimb ischemia, a finding rescued by androgen treatment. Our findings suggest that endogenous androgens modulate angiogenesis in a sex-dependent manner, with implications for the role of androgen replacement in men.

scholarly journals Melatonin inhibits cholangiocyte hyperplasia in cholestatic rats by interaction with MT1 but not MT2 melatonin receptors

2011 ◽  
Vol 301 (4) ◽  
pp. G634-G643 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anastasia Renzi ◽  
Shannon Glaser ◽  
Sharon DeMorrow ◽  
Romina Mancinelli ◽  
Fanyin Meng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bile Duct ◽  
Clock Genes ◽  
Intrahepatic Bile Duct ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Melatonin Receptors ◽  
Camp Levels ◽  
Cell Mitosis

In bile duct-ligated (BDL) rats, large cholangiocytes proliferate by activation of cAMP-dependent signaling. Melatonin, which is secreted from pineal gland as well as extrapineal tissues, regulates cell mitosis by interacting with melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) modulating cAMP and clock genes. In the liver, melatonin suppresses oxidative damage and ameliorates fibrosis. No information exists regarding the role of melatonin in the regulation of biliary hyperplasia. We evaluated the mechanisms of action by which melatonin regulates the growth of cholangiocytes. In normal and BDL rats, we determined the hepatic distribution of MT1, MT2, and the clock genes, CLOCK, BMAL1, CRY1, and PER1. Normal and BDL (immediately after BDL) rats were treated in vivo with melatonin before evaluating 1) serum levels of melatonin, bilirubin, and transaminases; 2) intrahepatic bile duct mass (IBDM) in liver sections; and 3) the expression of MT1 and MT2, clock genes, and PKA phosphorylation. In vitro, large cholangiocytes were stimulated with melatonin in the absence/presence of luzindole (MT1/MT2 antagonist) and 4-phenyl-2-propionamidotetralin (MT2 antagonist) before evaluating cell proliferation, cAMP levels, and PKA phosphorylation. Cholangiocytes express MT1 and MT2, CLOCK, BMAL1, CRY1, and PER1 that were all upregulated following BDL. Administration of melatonin to BDL rats decreased IBDM, serum bilirubin and transaminases levels, the expression of all clock genes, cAMP levels, and PKA phosphorylation in cholangiocytes. In vitro, melatonin decreased the proliferation, cAMP levels, and PKA phosphorylation, decreases that were blocked by luzindole. Melatonin may be important in the management of biliary hyperplasia in human cholangiopathies.

scholarly journals Functional Role of miR-155 in the Pathogenesis of Diabetes Mellitus and Its Complications

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 39
Author(s):  
Stanislovas S. Jankauskas ◽  
Jessica Gambardella ◽  
Celestino Sardu ◽  
Angela Lombardi ◽  
Gaetano Santulli
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Metabolic Stress ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
Preclinical Studies

Substantial evidence indicates that microRNA-155 (miR-155) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications. A number of clinical studies reported low serum levels of miR-155 in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Preclinical studies revealed that miR-155 partakes in the phenotypic switch of cells within the islets of Langerhans under metabolic stress. Moreover, miR-155 was shown to regulate insulin sensitivity in liver, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle. Dysregulation of miR-155 expression was also shown to predict the development of nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy in DM. Here, we systematically describe the reports investigating the role of miR-155 in DM and its complications. We also discuss the recent results from in vivo and in vitro models of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and T2D, discussing the differences between clinical and preclinical studies and shedding light on the molecular pathways mediated by miR-155 in different tissues affected by DM.

scholarly journals The Role of Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) During Follicle Development in a Monovulatory Species (Sheep)

Endocrinology ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 153 (9) ◽  
pp. 4533-4543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce K. Campbell ◽  
M. Clinton ◽  
R. Webb
Keyword(s):  
Functional Relationship ◽  
Primordial Follicle ◽  
Active Immunization ◽  
Follicle Development ◽  
Antral Follicles ◽  
Therapeutic Value ◽  
Clinical Interest

Knockout studies in mice have suggested that anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) modulates primordial follicle recruitment and the response of growing follicles to FSH. Little is known of the physiology of AMH in monovular species, despite intense clinical interest in this factor. Using sheep as a model, we sought to investigate the functional role of AMH in modulating follicle development in monovular species. In contrast to the rodent, the results indicate that AMH does not affect the rate of primordial follicle recruitment but appears to regulate the rate at which follicles progress through the gonadotropin-responsive phase, during which it is maximally expressed. Thus, knockdown of AMH bioactivity by active immunization lead to a decline in the population of gonadotropin-responsive preantral and small antral follicles (P < 0.01) and increases in both the number of gonadotropin-dependent antral follicles (P < 0.01) and ovulation rate (P < 0.05). These in vivo findings were consistent with the results of other studies examining the pattern of expression of AMH, which was negatively correlated with aromatase (P < 0.001), and in vitro supplementation experiments, which supported an inhibitory role for AMH in modulating the response of both theca and granulosa cells to LH and FSH, respectively. The elucidation of a functional relationship between AMH and LH-stimulated thecal androgen production may be significant in terms of the etiology of common forms of anovulatory infertility in women. Furthermore, the observed increase in both the number of recruitable antral follicles and ovulatory quota in response to AMH knockdown may have therapeutic value in women who respond poorly to ovarian stimulation.

Hachimijiogan Produces Testosterone in Adult Rat Testes

1988 ◽  
Vol 16 (03n04) ◽  
pp. 93-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satoshi Usuki
Keyword(s):  
Male Rats ◽  
In Vivo Study ◽  
Steroid Production ◽  
Adult Rat ◽  
Testosterone Production ◽  
Incubation Study ◽  
Estradiol 17Β

The effect of Hachimijiogan (HZ) and Keishibukuryogan (KB) on the steroid production in rats was examined in vivo and in vitro. In an in vivo study, HZ stimulated the testes from ten-week old male rats to produce testoterone, whereas KB decreased the tissue testosterone concentrations. The Δ4-androstenedione and estradiol-17β (E2) showed no significant changes. In an incubation study, HZ also stimulated the testosterone production. The data suggested that HZ produces testosterone in rat testes. The role of KB is questionable.

Characterization of a recombinant porcine follistatin in a heat shock expression system

2002 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 295-304
Author(s):  
C. R. Christensen ◽  
J. Kowalski ◽  
P. J. Chedrese ◽  
V. Misra ◽  
B. Laarveld ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Shock ◽  
Ovarian Function ◽  
Expression System ◽  
Porcine Granulosa Cells ◽  
Molecular Masses ◽  
Estradiol 17Β

The role of follistatin in ovarian function has yet to be fully elucidated; it is present in low concentration in vivo and it is difficult to obtain suitable quantities of follistatin for characterization. We have cloned porcine follistatin cDNA in an expression system that uses the heat shock protein promoter BoHSP70. Recombinant follistatin with apparent molecular masses of 39, 46, 48, 50 kDa was expressed and secreted into culture medium at concentrations of 400–500 μg × 20 mL-1 × 150 cm-2 flask (4 × 107 cells). In ligand blots, the recombinant follistatin was shown to be immunologically similar to native follistatin and to bind to recombinant activin A. Porcine granulosa cells dissected from 1–3 mm follicles from immature gilts were cultured with recombinant follistatin or with a follistatin monoclonal antibody to examine the activity of the recombinant follistatin. At a physiologically relevant concentration of 1 μg mL-1 the recombinant porcine follistatin suppressed the accumulation of estradiol-17β (P < 0.05). There was a trend for estradiol-17β accumulation in the presence of 10 μg mL-1 of monoclonal anti-follistatin antibody (P = 0.1). This expression system consistently produced large quantities of recombinant porcine follistatin, which is immunologically and biologically similar to follistatin, and is capable of independently inhibiting estratiol-17βproduction in vitro. Key words: Porcine, follistatin, heat shock promoter, glycoprotein, ovary, estradiol

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