scholarly journals Production of inhibin A not B in rams: changes in plasma inhibin A during testis growth, and expression of inhibin/activin subunit mRNA and protein in adult testis

Reproduction ◽  
2002 ◽  
pp. 827-835 ◽  
Author(s):  
AS McNeilly ◽  
CJ Souza ◽  
DT Baird ◽  
IA Swanston ◽  
J McVerry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Cycle ◽  
Negative Feedback ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Inhibin B ◽  
Significant Activity ◽  
Inhibin A ◽  
Subunit Mrna ◽  
Long Day ◽  
Lighting Regimen ◽  
Short Days

Previous studies have shown that changes in the plasma concentrations of immunoreactive inhibin measured by radioimmunoassay occur in parallel with growth and regression of the testes during a reproductive cycle in adult Soay rams induced by exposure to an artificial lighting regimen of alternating 16 week periods of long days and short days. With the development of new two-site ELISAs for sheep inhibin A and inhibin B, we have re-examined the relationship between FSH and dimeric, biologically active inhibin in the reproductive cycle in adult Soay rams. No signal was generated by sheep testicular extract, ram or ewe plasma, or sheep ovarian follicular fluid in the inhibin B ELISA. In contrast, ram plasma contained significant activity in the inhibin A ELISA, which diluted in parallel to the inhibin A standard, and was abolished by preincubation of ram plasma with monoclonal antibodies specific for the betaA, but not the betaB, subunit. These results indicate that the ram is the first adult male mammalian species identified to date in which the testes produce and secrete dimeric inhibin A and not inhibin B. Northern blot analysis and immunocytochemistry confirmed the presence of alpha, betaA and betaB inhibin/activin subunit mRNA and protein in the testes of adult rams. Changes in plasma inhibin A concentrations occurred in parallel with the growth and regression of the testes during the long day: short day: long day lighting regimen in adult Soay rams, confirming our previous observations with immunoreactive inhibin. During the growth phase of the testes in the first 8 weeks of exposure to short days there was a positive correlation between plasma FSH and inhibin A concentrations, indicating that during this phase the secretion of inhibin A is stimulated by FSH and that inhibin A did not act as a negative feedback hormone on FSH secretion. From week 8.5 to week 16.0 of exposure to short days, there was a negative correlation between FSH and testosterone concentrations, but not inhibin, indicating that when inhibin concentrations are high, testosterone acts as the negative regulator of FSH secretion. Thus, in intact adult rams, when the testes are fully active it appears that inhibin A may sensitize the pituitary to the negative feedback effects of testosterone, at which time they act synergistically to maintain plasma concentrations of FSH.

Reproductive effects of placing micro-implants of melatonin in the mediobasal hypothalamus and preoptic area in rams

1992 ◽  
Vol 132 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. Lincoln ◽  
K.-I. Maeda
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Cycle ◽  
Preoptic Area ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Mediobasal Hypothalamus ◽  
Reproductive Effects ◽  
Long Day ◽  
Reproductive Axis ◽  
Micro Implants ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Short Days

ABSTRACT The reproductive effects of placing micro-implants of melatonin in the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH) and preoptic area (POA) were monitored in Soay rams. Groups of animals were initially conditioned to alternating 16 weekly periods of long days (16 h light:8 h darkness; 16L:8D) and short days (8L:16D) for at least 9 months to entrain the seasonal reproductive cycle. All experiments were then initiated at 10 weeks under long days when the animals were sexually inactive. In experiment 1, rams were exposed to short days for 14 weeks or maintained on long days to illustrate the photoperiodically induced re-activation and regression of the reproductive axis. In experiments 2–4, rams received micro-implants of melatonin in the MBH or POA, or received control treatments (sham-operated or no surgery) for 12–14 weeks while maintained on long days (total of 12 animals/treatment). The melatonin implants consisted of 22-gauge stainless-steel cannulae with melatonin fused inside the tip and were placed bilaterally in the brain. Incubation of the implants in Tricine-buffered saline (pH 8·0) at 37 °C showed that the release rate of melatonin was relatively constant after an initial peak in week 1 (means ± s.e.m.: 3·42 ± 0·43 μg/24 h). Rams with melatonin implants placed in the MBH, but not in the POA, showed a consistently earlier re-activation of the reproductive axis compared with the control animals in all three experiments (12/12 for MBH vs 2/12 for POA). The mean time to maximum testicular diameter was 12·2 ± 0·9, 21·6 ± 1·8 and 22·3 ± 1·2 weeks for the MBH, POA and combined control groups respectively (MBH vs control, P < 0·01; analysis of variance). The premature growth of the testes in the MBH group was associated with an earlier increase in the blood plasma concentrations of FSH and testosterone, and the appearance of the sexual skin coloration. Removal of the implants resulted in a decline in all reproductive parameters. The melatonin treatments did not cause a detectable increase in the peripheral concentrations of melatonin, or affect the diurnal rhythm in melatonin which reflected the long-day photoperiod. When implants containing 125I-labelled melatonin were introduced into the brain the associated radioactivity was localized to within 1 mm of the implants. The overall results demonstrate that the constant administration of melatonin into the MBH blocks the effect of the endogenous long-day melatonin signal and induces gonadal redevelopment. This provides the first evidence that melatonin acts within or close to the MBH to relay effects of photoperiod and influence the timing of the reproductive cycle in the ram. Journal of Endocrinology (1992) 132, 201–215

scholarly journals Secretion of inhibin A, inhibin B and inhibin pro-alphaC during the oestrous cycle of the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus)

1999 ◽  
Vol 162 (3) ◽  
pp. 451-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Ohshima ◽  
H Kishi ◽  
M Itoh ◽  
G Watanabe ◽  
K Arai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Golden Hamster ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Follicular Development ◽  
Early Morning ◽  
Oestrous Cycle ◽  
Inhibin B ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Inhibin A ◽  
Negative Relationships ◽  
Plasma Oestradiol

Plasma concentrations of inhibin pro-alphaC, inhibin A and inhibin B were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at 6 h intervals throughout the 4-day oestrous cycle of the golden hamster. Plasma concentrations of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and oestradiol-17beta were also measured by radioimmunoassay during the oestrous cycle. Plasma concentrations of inhibin A increased from the early morning of day 1 (day 1=day of ovulation) and reached plateau levels at 0500 h on day 2. An abrupt increase in plasma concentrations of inhibin A was found at 1700 h on day 4, when the preovulatory FSH surge was observed. An increase in plasma concentrations of inhibin B occurred on day 1 and reached plateau levels at 1700 h on day 1. The levels remained elevated until 0500 h on day 4 and declined gradually by 2300 h on day 4. Plasma concentrations of inhibin pro-alphaC gradually increased with some fluctuation from day 1 to 1700 h on day 4 and then declined. Significant negative relationships were noted between plasma FSH and both dimeric forms of inhibin from day 1 to day 3. Significant positive relationships were found between plasma oestradiol-17beta and inhibin A or inhibin pro-alphaC throughout the oestrous cycle. In contrast, no significant relationship was found between plasma oestradiol-17beta and inhibin B. These findings suggest that both dimeric forms of inhibin play a role in the regulation of FSH secretion during follicular development. These findings also suggest that inhibin pro-alphaC could be secreted primarily by large follicles, and early atretic follicles could also be responsible for inhibin pro-alphaC secretion. On the other hand, the secretory pattern of dimeric inhibins might shift from inhibin B to inhibin A with follicular development.

scholarly journals Temporal and hormonal regulation of inhibin protein and subunit mRNA expression by post-natal and immature rat ovaries

2000 ◽  
Vol 166 (2) ◽  
pp. 339-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
AE Drummond ◽  
M Dyson ◽  
E Thean ◽  
NP Groome ◽  
DM Robertson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Cell Cultures ◽  
Granulosa Cells ◽  
Inhibin B ◽  
Alpha Subunit ◽  
Inhibin A ◽  
Preantral Follicles ◽  
Subunit Mrna ◽  
Ovarian Cells ◽  
Old Rats

The contribution of specific follicle populations to dimeric inhibin production and inhibin subunit mRNA expression by the rat ovary has been investigated in two model systems, granulosa cells isolated from 25-day-old diethylstilboestrol (DES)-treated rats and post-natal rat ovaries, dispersed in culture or whole ovaries, using specific two-site immunoassays and 'real time' PCR. Media from FSH-stimulated granulosa cell cultures fractionated by gel filtration and RP-high performance liquid chromatography revealed two predominant peaks of alpha subunit activity which were attributed to alpha subunit and 31 k dimeric inhibin-A. The corresponding inhibin-B levels were low. FSH stimulation did not alter the ratio of inhibin-A:alpha subunit produced by granulosa cells. All three inhibin subunit mRNAs were expressed by granulosa cells, with eight-fold more alpha subunit mRNA relative to either of the beta subunits. Administration of DES to immature rats prior to the isolation of granulosa cells from the ovary led to beta(A) and beta(B) mRNA expression being down-regulated in the absence of any significant change in alpha subunit expression by the granulosa cells. Inhibin-A, -B and -alpha subunit were produced by basal and stimulated cultures of ovarian cells prepared from 4-, 8- and 12-day-old rats, indicating that primary, preantral and antral follicles contribute to total inhibin production. Consistent with these results, follicles within these ovaries expressed all three inhibin subunit mRNAs, with maximal expression observed in the ovaries of 8-day-old rats. The appearance of antral follicles in the ovary at day 12 led to a decline in the mRNA levels of each of the subunits but was most evident for the beta subunits. There was a profound influence of secondary preantral follicles on dimeric inhibin-A production, with FSH stimulation increasing inhibin-A relative to alpha subunit levels in cultures of ovarian cells prepared from 8-day-old rats. Thus, preantral follicles exposed to FSH contribute significantly to beta(A) subunit production by the ovary. In contrast, primary and preantral follicles did not produce inhibin-B in response to FSH stimulation. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) enhanced, in a time-dependent manner, the production of the inhibin forms by ovarian cells in culture, although inhibin-B production was not responsive until day 8. The simultaneous treatment of ovarian cell cultures with FSH and TGF-beta elicited the greatest increases in production of all the inhibin forms. In summary, ovaries of 4-, 8- and 12-day-old rats expressed inhibin subunit mRNAs and produced dimeric inhibin-A and -B and free alpha subunit. Preantral follicles (day-8 ovarian cell cultures) were particularly sensitive to stimulation by FSH and TGF-beta and had a substantial capacity for inhibin production. The production of oestrogen by follicles may be instrumental in regulating inhibin production given that beta subunit mRNA expression was down-regulated by DES. The mechanisms by which inhibin-A and inhibin-B are individually regulated are likely to be similar during the post-natal period, when folliculogenesis is being established, and diverge thereafter, when inhibin-A becomes the predominant form in the fully differentiated ovary.

scholarly journals Secretion of inhibin A and inhibin B throughout pregnancy and the early postpartum period in chimpanzees

2001 ◽  
Vol 168 (2) ◽  
pp. 257-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Kondo ◽  
M Kondo ◽  
T Udono ◽  
WZ Jin ◽  
WZ Jin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Postpartum Period ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Inhibin B ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Inhibin A ◽  
Early Postpartum Period ◽  
Early Postpartum ◽  
Normal Menstrual Cycle

Plasma concentrations of inhibin A and inhibin B during pregnancy and early lactation in chimpanzees were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Plasma samples were taken from five pregnant chimpanzees at 6-9, 10, 20 and 25 weeks of pregnancy, and following parturition. Throughout pregnancy and the early postpartum period, circulating inhibin A and inhibin B concentrations remained low, at similar levels to those during the normal menstrual cycle in chimpanzees. Concentrations of inhibin A in the placental homogenate were high enough to be measured by the ELISA and by bioassay, whereas circulating inhibin bioactivities in late pregnancy were too low to be measured. Plasma concentrations of FSH remained low with no significant changes throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period. Plasma concentrations of oestradiol-17beta and progesterone at 25 weeks of pregnancy were much higher than normal menstrual cycle levels. It was concluded that in chimpanzees the levels of circulating inhibin A and inhibin B remained low throughout pregnancy and the early postpartum period, and that the concentrations of bioactive dimeric inhibin did not increase towards the end of pregnancy. The suppression of circulating FSH levels during pregnancy is suggested to be controlled by steroid hormones that increased significantly in late pregnancy, and the present findings further suggest that the secretory pattern and role of inhibin during pregnancy in chimpanzees may be different from that in human and other primates.

Human recombinant inhibin A and testosterone act directly at the pituitary to suppress plasma concentrations of FSH in castrated rams

1993 ◽  
Vol 138 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Tilbrook ◽  
D. M. de Kretser ◽  
I. J. Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Feedback Control ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Negative Feedback ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Suppressive Effect ◽  
Inhibin A ◽  
Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone ◽  
Negative Feedback Control ◽  
Testicular Steroids

ABSTRACT The roles of inhibin and testosterone in the negative feedback control of the secretion of FSH were explored in experiments using castrated rams administered human recombinant inhibin A (hr-inhibin) and testosterone propionate (TP). Two experiments were conducted in the non-breeding season. In experiment 1, two groups of long-term castrated rams (wethers) were treated with an i.v. injection of either vehicle or hr-inhibin in two doses (25 and 50 μg) given 2 weeks apart. Plasma concentrations of FSH, measured by radioimmunoassay, were suppressed significantly (P<0·01) and equally by both doses of hr-inhibin with a mean (± s.e.m.) maximal suppression of FSH of 19·9 ± 2·60% occurring 6–10 h after injection. In experiment 2, hypothalamo-pituitary disconnected (HPD) wethers given 125 ng gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) every 2 h, were treated with vehicle or 25 or 50 μg hr-inhibin before or after treatment (32 mg/day) with TP. A cross-over design was used so that each wether was treated with vehicle and hr-inhibin. Treatment with TP significantly (P<0·001) suppressed plasma concentrations of FSH by 56%. Both doses of hr-inhibin were similarly effective in significantly (P<0·05) suppressing plasma concentrations of FSH causing a mean suppression of 31·1 ± 5·60% 6–10 h after injection. The suppressive effect of hr-inhibin was significantly (P<0·05) increased when the wethers were treated with TP to a mean suppression of 50·7 ± 5·6% 6–10 h after injection. These data indicate that both inhibin and testosterone exert negative feedback control on FSH secretion in rams and that the suppressive effects of inhibin may be enhanced by testosterone. Furthermore, both inhibin and testosterone acted directly on the pituitary to suppress FSH secretion in rams. The inhibition of FSH by a direct pituitary action of testosterone in this study is at variance with our previous findings with HPD wethers during the breeding season when it was shown that testicular steroids have minimal feedback effects at this level. These discrepancies suggest that the sensitivity of the pituitary to negative feedback by testicular steroids may change with the breeding season independent of an input from the hypothalamus. Finally, the greater suppressive effects of hr-inhibin in HPD wethers in experiment 2 compared with the hypothalamo-pituitary intact wethers in experiment 1 suggests that the sensitivity of the pituitary to inhibin may be increased by limiting the GnRH stimulus to the pituitary. Journal of Endocrinology (1993) 138, 181–189

Testosterone sensitivity of the seminal sacs of tree sparrows (Spizella arborea) in different reproductive states

1986 ◽  
Vol 109 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. E. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Cycle ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Plasma Testosterone ◽  
Reproductive State ◽  
Critical Test ◽  
Testosterone Concentration ◽  
Unit Change ◽  
Dependent Growth ◽  
Dose Dependent ◽  
Short Days

ABSTRACT Testosterone sensitivity of the seminal sacs of castrated tree sparrows from each of three reproductive states was evaluated by measuring the change in seminal-sac mass per unit change in the logarithm of replacement or plasma testosterone. Birds were exposed to exogenous testosterone for 38 days. Replacement doses less than 0·17 μmol or plasma concentrations less than about 0·7 nmol/l did not induce seminal-sac growth in photosensitive castrated birds held on short days, in photosensitive castrated birds transferred from short to long days, or in photorefractory castrated birds retained on long days. Higher replacement doses or plasma concentrations, however, stimulated log dose-dependent growth of the seminal sacs in castrated birds from all three reproductive states. The change in seminal-sac mass per unit change in the logarithm of the dose of replacement testosterone was less (P= 0·0495) in photosensitive castrated birds held on short days than in photosensitive castrated birds transferred to long days. A more critical test of sensitivity (i.e. the change in seminal-sac mass per unit change in the logarithm of mean plasma testosterone concentration) indicated, however, that sensitivity of the seminal sacs to testosterone is independent of reproductive state. That result, when considered in the context of the plasma testosterone profile of intact males during a simulated reproductive cycle, argues that the seminal sacs of sexually quiescent (photosensitive or photorefractory) tree sparrows are small not because of their insensitivity to androgens, but because of a deficiency of circulating androgens. J. Endocr. (1986) 109, 125–131

Inhibin concentrations in the peripheral blood of rams during a cycle in testicular activity induced by changes in photoperiod or treatment with melatonin

1989 ◽  
Vol 120 (1) ◽  
pp. R9-R13 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. Lincoln ◽  
A. S. McNeilly
Keyword(s):  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Active Phase ◽  
Light Cycle ◽  
Artificial Lighting ◽  
Reproductive Axis ◽  
First Time ◽  
Lighting Regimen ◽  
Short Days

ABSTRACT Changes in the concentration of inhibin, FSH, LH and testosterone were measured in the peripheral blood of adult Soay rams during a reproductive cycle induced by exposure to an artificial lighting regimen (long days with a 16-week period of short days) or treatment with melatonin (long days with a 12-week period when melatonin was administered daily in mid-light phase to simulate the effect of short days). In both experimental situations, changes in the plasma concentrations of inhibin occurred in parallel with the cycle in the diameter of the testes with a four- to fivefold increase in the inhibin concentrations from the nadir to the peak of the testicular cycle. Increases in the plasma concentrations of FSH, LH and testosterone also occurred in association with the reactivation of the reproductive axis. The weekly changes in the plasma concentrations of inhibin were positively correlated with the changes in plasma FSH values during the developing and regressing stages of the testicular cycle but negatively correlated during the active stage. In a group of castrated rams exposed to the same lighting regimen, the plasma concentrations of inhibin were always below the detection limit of the radioimmunoassay. The testosterone values were also very low in the castrates while the plasma concentrations of FSH and LH were 10-50 fold higher than normal and varied in relation to the light cycle. The results show for the first time that inhibin is secreted into the peripheral blood in the ram exclusively from the testes. The positive correlation between the changes in plasma concentrations of FSH and inhibin during the developing and regressing phases of the testicular cycle indicate that FSH stimulates the secretion of inhibin. The negative correlation between FSH and inhibin in the active phase of the testicular cycle, is consistent with the role of inhibin in the negative-feedback control of FSH secretion. This is only evident because the testes undergoes reactivation of its full function during the change from the regressed to the active state which is especially obvious in the highly seasonal Soay ram.

206. Differential regulation of activin and inhibin production by interleukin 1 (IL1), transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) and protein kinase C (PKC) in the Sertoli cell and granulosa cell

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Eede ◽  
J. A. Muir ◽  
A. E. O. 'Connor ◽  
W. R. Winnall ◽  
A. E. Drummond ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Sertoli Cell ◽  
Granulosa Cells ◽  
Sertoli Cells ◽  
Activin A ◽  
Inhibin B ◽  
Inhibin A ◽  
Α Subunit ◽  
Subunit Mrna ◽  
Subunit Expression

Activin and inhibin are gonadal regulatory proteins comprising an α-subunit and either a βA-subunit or βB-subunit (inhibin A or B), or two βA-subunits (activin A). Synthesis of the α-subunit, and the inhibins, is regulated by FSH via cAMP/protein kinase A. Regulation of the β-subunits in the gonads is less well defined, but the IL1/MAP kinase, TGFβ /Smad and PKC pathways have been implicated. Sertoli cells and granulosa cells were isolated from 18–22 day-old Sprague-Dawley rats under standard conditions and cultured with IL1, TGFβ1 and the PKC agonists, gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Activin A, inhibin A and inhibin B were measured in culture medium (at 48h) by ELISA. Subunit mRNA expression was measured in cell extracts (at 4 h and 8h) using quantitative RT–PCR. IL1 stimulated βA-subunit and activin A production and inhibited α-subunit and βB-subunit expression and inhibin B production in Sertoli cells, but had no effect in granulosa cells. TGFβ1 stimulated activin A in both cell types, as well as the inhibins in granulosa cells. Surprisingly, TGFβ1 had no effect on Sertoli cell α-subunit or βA-subunit mRNA expression, but did cause a slight reduction of βB-subunit expression. GnRH increased activin A and inhibin A, but not inhibin B, production by granulosa cells and had no effect on Sertoli cells, which lack the GnRH receptor. However, direct activation of PKC by PMA stimulated βA-subunit mRNA expression and activin A production and decreased βB-subunit and inhibin B production by Sertoli cells, with marginal effects on inhibin A. These results indicate that activation of the TGFβ or PKC signalling pathways preferentially stimulates βA-subunit expression and/or translation, leading to increased activin A secretion by Sertoli cells and both activin A and inhibin A secretion by granulosa cells. The ability of IL1 to stimulate activin A is confined to the Sertoli cell.

scholarly journals Secretory pattern of inhibin A, inhibin B and inhibin pro-alpha C during induced follicular atresia and subsequent follicular development in the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus)

2002 ◽  
Vol 172 (3) ◽  
pp. 575-581 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Ohshima ◽  
H Kishi ◽  
M Itoh ◽  
KY Arai ◽  
G Watanabe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Golden Hamster ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Follicular Development ◽  
Inhibin B ◽  
Follicular Atresia ◽  
Inhibin A ◽  
Antral Follicles ◽  
Initial Values ◽  
Time Courses ◽  
Secretory Pattern

The changes in plasma concentrations of inhibins A, B and pro-alpha C were determined in the cyclic golden hamster during follicular atresia induced with antiserum against luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH-AS) at 1100 h on day 4 (day 1=day of ovulation). Follicular status in the ovary was also studied by determining the number of follicles ovulating in response to human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) injection. The time-courses of changes in plasma concentrations of inhibins A, B and pro-alpha C were different from each other during induced follicular atresia and subsequent follicular development. Plasma concentrations of inhibin A decreased to 58.6% of initial values by 24 h after LHRH-AS treatment, and then remained relatively low until at least 60 h later. Plasma concentrations of inhibin B decreased to 64.2% of the initial values by 18 h after LHRH-AS treatment and remained at basal values for 36 h, but increased abruptly to greater than initial values at 42 h after the treatment. Plasma concentrations of inhibin pro-alpha C increased at 6 and 12 h, decreased suddenly to 21.9% of the initial values by 24 h after LHRH-AS treatment, and then gradually increased until 60 h after LHRH-AS. The number of follicles responding to hCG decreased gradually between 0 and 30 h after LHRH-AS, when no ovulations were observed, and then gradually increased until 60 h. The changes in follicular ovulatory responses to hCG correlated with the plasma profile of inhibin A throughout the experiment. These results suggest that inhibin A is mainly secreted by large antral follicles. In contrast, during the subsequent follicular development, the plasma concentration of inhibin B increased earlier than that of inhibin A. These results suggest that inhibin B is secreted by small and large antral follicles. Plasma concentrations of inhibin pro-alpha C were high at a time when plasma concentrations of oestradiol-17 beta had already decreased, indicating that inhibin pro-alpha C is secreted not only from healthy follicles but also from early atretic antral follicles.

scholarly journals Reciprocal regulation of activin A and inhibin B by interleukin-1 (IL-1) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in rat Sertoli cells in vitro

2005 ◽  
Vol 185 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Okuma ◽  
K Saito ◽  
A E O’Connor ◽  
D J Phillips ◽  
D M de Kretser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mrna Expression ◽  
Sertoli Cells ◽  
Interleukin 1 ◽  
Activin A ◽  
Inhibin B ◽  
Dibutyryl Camp ◽  
Inhibin A ◽  
Reciprocal Regulation ◽  
Α Subunit ◽  
Subunit Mrna

In several biological systems, the inhibin βA homodimer activin A is stimulated by, and in turn, inhibits the action of interleukin (IL)-1 (both IL-1α and IL-1β) and IL-6. The possibility that a similar regulatory relationship operates within the testis was investigated. Sertoli cells from immature (20-day-old) rats were cultured with human IL-1α or IL-1β, human IL-6 and/or ovine FSH or dibutyryl cAMP. Activin A and the inhibin dimers, inhibin A and inhibin B, were measured by specific ELISA. Immunoreactive inhibin (ir-inhibin) was measured by RIA. Activin/inhibin subunit mRNA expression was measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Both IL-1 isoforms, but not IL-6, stimulated activin A secretion through increased synthesis of βA-subunit mRNA. IL-1 also stimulated activin A secretion by testicular peritubular cells. In contrast to the effect on activin A, IL-1 suppressed inhibin βB-subunit and, to a lesser extent, α-subunit mRNA expression, thereby reducing basal and FSH-stimulated inhibin B secretion by the Sertoli cells. Conversely, FSH inhibited basal activin A secretion and antagonised the stimulatory effects of IL-1. Dibutyryl cAMP partially inhibited the action of IL-1 on activin A secretion, but had no significant effect on basal activin A secretion. Secretion of inhibin A was low in all treatment groups. These data demonstrate that IL-1 and FSH/cAMP exert a reciprocal regulation of activin A and inhibin B synthesis and release by the Sertoli cell, and suggest a role for activin A as a potential feedback regulator of IL-1 and IL-6 activity in the testis during normal spermatogenesis and in inflammation.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document