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Effect of estradiol and degree of cell differentiation on human melanoma susceptibility to killing by monoclonal antibodies.

An estradiol non-responsive melanotic (E-M+ShA) was derived from an estradiol-responsive melanotic (E+M+ShA), and an estradiol-responsive amelanotic (E+M-SR) was derived from estradiol non-responsive amelanotic (E-M-SR) cell lines by deprivation and supplementation of the culture medium with estradiol, respectively. E+M+ShA cells became E-M+ShA after 5 weeks, i.e. 2 subcultures, of culture in the absence of estrogen, and E-M-SR cells became E+M-SR after 7 weeks, i.e. 2 subcultures, of culture in the presence of 10(-7) M 17 beta-estradiol. Spleen lymphocytes from mice pre-immunized with E+M+ShA, E-M+ShA, E-M-SR and E+M-SR have been fused with murine non-producer myeloma cells to obtain mouse-mouse hybridoma cultures that synthesize monoclonal antibodies against human malignant melanoma. The complement-dependent cytotoxin activities of these antibodies linked responsiveness to estradiol with melanotropin biosynthesis.

Animals↗

Effect of treating ovariectomized guinea-pigs with estradiol and progesterone on basal and A23187-stimulated release of prostaglandins from the uterus superfused in vitro.

The outputs of PGF2 alpha, PGE2 and 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha from the uterus of ovariectomized guinea-pigs were all low (approximately 0.1 to 0.2 ng/min/uterine horn). PGF2 alpha was released in greatest quantities, followed by PGE2 and then by 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha. Progesterone treatment had no effect on PG output. Estradiol treatment increased PGF2 alpha output 7-fold, but increased PGE2 and 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha outputs only 1.7-fold and 2.9-fold, respectively. Estradiol treatment reversed the PGE2 to 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha ratio. Progesterone-priming before estradiol treatment potentiated the stimulatory effect of estradiol on PGF2 alpha release up to 2-fold, but had no such action on the stimulatory effect of estradiol on PGE2 and 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha release. Estradiol acting on a progesterone-primed uterus causes a relatively specific activation of PGF2 alpha synthesis and release. The physiological significance of this observation is discussed. A23187 stimulated PGF2 alpha release from all uteri irrespective of treatment. However, the magnitude of the response was much greater in those guinea-pigs which had received estradiol (either alone or with progesterone) than in those which had not. A23187 stimulated also 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha release, but to a much lesser extent, and had no effect on PGE2 release. Raising free intracellular Ca2+ levels in the uterus stimulates PGF2 alpha release and, to a lesser extent, 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha release, but the size of the response depends upon the hormonal status of the animal.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

Serum alkaline phosphatase elevation in female rats treated with ethinyl estradiol.

Ethinyl estradiol treatment to female rats resulted in increased levels of serum alkaline phosphatase, but was not associated with any other manifestation of toxicity such as increased serum transaminases or toxic lesions. Elevated serum alkaline phosphatase seen in rats treated with chloroform was associated with frank hepatotoxicity. Induction of hepatic drug metabolising enzymes in rats by phenobarbitone treatment did not result in raised serum alkaline phosphatase levels. Estradiol benzoate treatment to rats also did not increase serum alkaline phosphatase levels. Ethinyl estradiol also resulted in increased alkaline phosphatase content in the liver, intestine and bone. The raised intestinal alkaline phosphatase content of rats treated with phenobarbitone or estradiol benzoate was not associated with an increase in the serum levels. There was histochemical evidence of induction of canalicular alkaline phosphatase in the liver in Ethinyl Estradiol treatment. The study of the electrophoretic separation of serum alkaline phosphatase of ethinyl estradiol treated rats revealed the presence of a new fast moving fraction, similar to those seen in bile duct ligated rats. It is concluded that the serum alkaline phosphatase increase during ethinyl estradiol treatment at least in part is from the liver, due to new synthesis.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

The presence of an estradiol binding component in cytosol from immature rat epididymides.

Cytosol prepared from epididymides of sexually immature (21-23-day-old) rats contains a macromolecular binding component for estradiol-17 beta. This binding moiety sediments as an 8-S species on 5-20% sucrose gradients containing 0.01 M KCl. Under conditions of high ionic strength (0.4 M KCl) the 8-S peak of estradiol binding is shifted to the 4-S region, suggesting dissociation of receptor aggregates. Time-course studies indicated that binding equilibrium was essentially achieved after 2 hours incubation at 0 degrees C. Although unlabeled estrone and estriol are capable of inhibiting [3H]estradiol binding to epididymal cytosol, they are less effective than unlabeled estradiol. Unlabeled 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (5 alpha-DHT) at a 100-fold molar excess did not cause a statistically significant inhibition of [3H]estradiol binding. Unlabeled estrogens, but not unlabeled 5 alpha-DHT or cortisol (at the concentrations used), were capable of displacint [3H]estradiol from its binding sites. The dissociation of [3H]estradiol from the binding component is very slow, with half-time of dissociation being greater than 16 hours. The epididymal estrogen binder is saturable at low concentrations of ligand. The dissociation constant was of the order of 10(-11)M and the concentration of binding sites was approximately 10(-14) mol/mg protein. This estrogen binder has the characteristics which are usually attributed to steroid receptors and is clearly different from the testicular androgen-binding protein and the epididymal androgen receptor.

Animals↗

Receptors for 17beta-estradiol in prolactin-secreting rat pituitary cells.

Estrogens stimulate prolactin (PRL) synthesis by GH3 cells, a clonal strain of rat pituitary cells grown in culture. At 4 degrees C the binding of [3H]17 beta-estradiol to monolayer cultures of GH3 cells was specific and of limited capacity, with half-maximal and maximal binding after 1--2 h and 12 h, respectively. Scatchard analysis showed one single class of binding sites with Kd = 3.1 X 10(-10) M and n = 309 X 10(-15) mol 17 beta-estradiol/mg cell protein, calculated to give approx. 25,000 binding sites per cell. At 4 degrees C less than 10% of the specifically bound [3H]17 beta-estradiol was found in the nuclear fraction. When the incubation temperature was raised to 37 degrees C, the amount of radioactivity in the nucleus increased to 25% within 30 min with a corresponding reduction in the cytoplasm. The cytosol fractions from monolayer cultures as well as from tumors of GH3 cells contained specific 17 beta-estradiol binding proteins, having a sedimentation constant close to 8S in a salt-free buffer and 4S in the presence of 0.5 M KCl. scatchard analysis showed one single class of binding sites with Kd = 3.6 X 10(-10) M and n = 258 X 10(-15) mol 17 beta-estradiol/mg cytosol protein (GH3 tumor tissue). Thus, GH3 cells grown in culture and in the intact animal have similar binding characteristics as judged from the data for binding affinity, capacity and specificity. After the in vivo administration of [3H]17 beta-estradiol to GH3 tumor-bearing rats, radioactivity could be extracted (0.5 M KCl) from purified nuclei bound to 4.5S macromolecules. We suggest that the action of 17 beta-estradiol on GH3 cells involves an initial binding of the steroid to specific receptors in the cytoplasm, followed by transport of a fraction of the hormone-receptor complexes to the nucleus involving a temperature-sensitive step.

Animals↗

Purified human alpha-fetoprotein inhibits follicle-stimulating hormone-stimulated estradiol production by porcine granulosa cells in culture.

We have investigated the effects of purified alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) on follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)-stimulated estradiol production by porcine granulosa cells in monolayer culture. Granulosa cells isolated from small follicles of prepubertal pigs were cultured for 2 days in 5% fetal bovine serum for attachment and incubated for 3 days in medium containing androstenedione and various treatments. The media were then collected and assayed for estradiol by radioimmunoassay. Human AFP significantly (P < 0.05) and dose-dependently inhibited FSH-stimulated estradiol production with 313 ng/ml AFP returning FSH-stimulated estradiol to basal levels; human serum albumin was without effect. AFP purified from either term cord blood or midtrimester amniotic fluid dose-dependently inhibited estradiol production stimulated by the combination of FSH and insulin-like growth factor-I. Furthermore, 125 ng/ml AFP inhibited estradiol production stimulated by cholera toxin, forskolin and cAMP. In contrast, extracellular accumulation of cAMP and progesterone production was not inhibited by AFP. These data indicate that physiological concentrations of purified AFP significantly and dose-dependently inhibit FSH-stimulated estradiol production by porcine granulosa cells in culture. Since AFP is known to augment growth factor-mediated cell growth, these data suggest that AFP inhibits differentiated functions (such as aromatase) while enhancing the proliferation of porcine granulosa cells.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Estrogen interaction with the anterior pituitary of female rats: Differential cytosol binding, nuclear translocation and stimulation of RNA synthesis by 17 beta-estradiol and tamoxifen.

The interaction of tamoxifen (trans-1-(rho-beta-dimethylaminoethoxyphenyl)-1,2-diphenylbut-1-ene) with the cytosol estrogen receptor of the anterior pituitary of female rats was studied. No differences were recorded between incubations of cytosol samples with 17 beta-[3H]estradiol performed in the presence of absence of unlabeled 17 beta-estradiol and tamoxifen, respectively, thus suggesting that these interactions were at common receptor sites and excluding possible cooperative interactions. Competition experiments and Scatchard plot analysis of saturation experiments add further evidence for common receptor sites. A dissociation constant for tamoxifen of Kd - 2 nM was recorded. Tamoxifen was found to be bound to a moiety sedimenting the 4-5 S region, on a 6-24% linear sucrose density gradient at low salt concentrations, whereas 17 beta-estradiol sedimented in the 8-9 S area. These data suggest possible conformational changes of the receptor in the presence of tamoxifen. Furthermore, nuclear estrogen receptor levels remained elevated for at least 80 h after the application of tamoxifen alone or in a combination with 17 beta-estradiol, and a concomitant inhibition of cytosol receptor replenishment was noted. Tamoxifen and 17 beta-estradiol, respectively, were found to stimulate progesterone receptor levels when applied through 5 days. Tamoxifen plus 17 beta-estradiol administration elevated progesterone receptor contents above those found for each of the two compounds alone. On the other hand, tamoxifen enchanced the 17 beta-estradiol-induced prolactin serum levels, but did not stimulate prolactin serum levels by itself. These data combine to suggest that tamoxifen interacts with common estrogen receptor sites at the rat anterior pituitary.

Animals↗

Alteration of dopamine metabolism in different brain regions of the rabbit by estradiol and tamoxifen.

Tamoxifen citrate, a mixed estrogen agonist-antagonist, and estradiol 17-beta administered separately for 14 days significantly reduced dopamine and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid in the cortex and hypothalamus regions of the brain in immature female rabbits. In addition to these areas, estradiol also reduced dopamine and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid in the striatum but tamoxifen treatment significantly reduced only dihydroxyphenylacetic acid concentration in the striatum. When estradiol and tamoxifen were injected together, dopamine and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid concentrations were reduced only in the cortex. Specific binding of [3H]spiperone to dopamine receptors was significantly increased by both estradiol and tamoxifen in the hypothalamus but only tamoxifen increased dopamine binding in the striatum. A low dose of tamoxifen, either alone or in combination with estradiol, increased uterine weight, but a higher dose of tamoxifen was neither an estrogen agonist nor antagonist. These studies indicate that estradiol and tamoxifen alter dopamine metabolism in the various regions of brain differentially. The estrogen agonist activity of tamoxifen does not correspond to antidopaminergic action of estradiol in the striatum.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗

Estradiol induces plasticity of gabaergic synapses in the hypothalamus.

The number of axosomatic synapses on arcuate neurons of the adult rat hypothalamus fluctuates following the sequence of increasing circulatory estradiol during the ovarian cycle. To determine whether estrogen is affecting GABAergic synaptic contacts we studied the number of GABA-immunoreactive axosomatic synapses in adult ovariectomized rats injected either with 17 beta estradiol (100 micrograms/100 g body weight) or with sesame oil vehicle. The number of immunoreactive axosomatic synapses was significantly reduced in estradiol-treated rats (77 +/- 8 vs 56 +/- 6 synapses per 1000 microns of perikaryal membrane in control and estradiol-treated rats, respectively) while the number of non-immunoreactive synapses was not significantly affected by the hormonal treatment (44 +/- 6 vs 35 +/- 5 synapses per 1000 microns of perikaryal membrane in control and estradiol-treated rats, respectively). Estradiol administration also resulted in a significant decrease in the percentage of perikaryal membrane covered by immunoreactive synapses. These results suggest that physiological levels of estradiol may induce a remodeling of GABAergic inhibitory inputs on arcuate neurons.

Animals↗

Interaction of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and 17 beta-estradiol in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells.

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) are both tumor promoters which act through different mechanisms. In MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, both TCDD and TPA inhibited constitutive and 17 beta-estradiol-induced cell proliferation but showed no apparent interactive effects. TCDD also inhibited the 17 beta-estradiol-induced secretion of the 52-kDa protein (procathepsin D) and induced CYP1A1 gene expression whereas TPA alone was inactive for these responses. Moreover, TPA did not modulate the TCDD-mediated antiestrogenic or induction responses and did not decrease levels of the nuclear Ah receptor complex as determined in a gel mobility shift assay using a 32P-dioxin responsive element (DRE). The interactions of TPA and TCDD on the metabolism of [13C]glucose to [13C]lactate was also investigated using 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The rate of formation of [13C]lactate from [13C]glucose in MCF-7 cells treated with DMSO (control), 1 nM 17 beta-estradiol, 1 nM TCDD, 1 nM TCDD plus 1 nM 17 beta-estradiol, and 0.1 ng/ml TPA plus 1 nM 17 beta-estradiol was 28, 48, 20, 22 and 50 fmol lactate formed/cell/h, respectively. Thus, TCDD, but not TPA, inhibited this estrogen-induced response. However, a comparison of the rate of lactate formation in cells treated with TCDD plus 17 beta-estradiol (22 fmol/cell/h) or TCDD plus 17 beta-estradiol plus TPA (61 fmol/cell/h) showed that TPA significantly inhibited the TCDD-mediated antiestrogenic response. The results of these studies in MCF-7 cells demonstrate that the interactions of TCDD and TPA are highly response-specific and do not involve TPA-mediated downregulation of the nuclear Ah receptor complex.

Base Sequence↗

Role of 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 in endocrine and intracrine estradiol biosynthesis.

Enzymes with 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17 beta-HSD) activity catalyse reactions between the low-active female sex steroid, estrone, and the more potent estradiol, for example. 17 beta-HSD activity is essential for glandular (endocrine) sex hormone biosynthesis, but it is also present in several extra-gonadal tissues. Hence, 17 beta-HSD enzymes also take part in local (intracrine) estradiol production in the target tissues of estrogen action. Four distinct 17 beta-HSD isozymes have been characterized so far, and the data strongly suggests that different 17 beta-HSD isozymes have distinct roles in endocrine and intracrine metabolism of sex steroids. Current data suggest that 17 beta-HSD type 1 is the principal isoenzyme involved in glandular estradiol production both in humans and rodents. During ovarian follicular development and luteinization, rat 17 beta-HSD type 1 is regulated by gonadotropins, and the effects of gonadotropins are modulated by steroid hormones and paracrine growth factors. Human 17 beta-HSD type 1 favors the reduction reaction, thereby converting estrone to estradiol both in vitro and in cultured cells. Hence, the enzymatic properties of the enzyme are also in line with its suggested role in estradiol biosynthesis. Interestingly, 17 beta-HSD type 1 is also expressed in certain target tissues of estrogen action such as normal and malignant human breast and endometrium. Hence, 17 beta-HSD type 1 could be one of the factors leading to a relatively high tissue/plasma ratio of estradiol in breast cancer tissues of postmenopausal women. We conclude that 17 beta-HSD type 1 has a central role in regulating the circulating estradiol concentration as well as its local production in estrogen target cells.

17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗

Lack of efficacy of estradiol for depression in postmenopausal women: a randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Estrogen has been considered as a potential antidepressant in postmenopausal women. Our goal was to study whether estrogen therapy is effective in treating depressive disorders in older postmenopausal women and to determine whether progestins are associated with a deterioration of mood. METHODS: After 2 weeks of single-blind placebo treatment in 87 patients, 57 were randomly assigned to receive 8 weeks of treatment with estradiol (.1 mg/day; n = 31) or placebo (n = 26). All patients were then treated with medroxyprogesterone 10 mg/day for 2 weeks combined with the study patch. Depressive symptoms were rated with the 21-item Hamilton Depression and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scales. RESULTS: A clinically significant antidepressant effect of estradiol was excluded after 8 weeks of estradiol treatment. The estradiol group and placebo group improved in depressive symptoms at a similar rate based on the Hamilton Depression Scale (40% decreases in depression for estradiol vs. 44% for placebo). No significant increase in depressive symptoms was demonstrated with the use of progestins; however, positive affect decreased slightly with the use of combined estradiol-medroxyprogesterone compared with medroxyprogesterone alone (5.8%, p =.027). CONCLUSIONS: Estradiol cannot be considered as an effective treatment in postmenopausal women with mild to moderate depression.

Adult↗

Estradiol acutely attenuates glutamate-induced calcium overload in primarily cultured rat hippocampal neurons through a membrane receptor-dependent mechanism.

Increasing lines of evidence indicate that estrogen acts as a neuroprotective agent through a nongenomic mechanism. We tested the hypothesis that 17beta-estradiol could rapidly attenuate glutamate-induced calcium (Ca2+) overload in rat primary hippocampal neurons via a membrane receptor-dependent mechanism. The bulk cytosolic intracellular Ca2+ level was measured in neurons with fluorescent Ca2+ probe fluo3. Preexposure of primary cultured hippocampal neurons to 17beta-estradiol for 3 min attenuated intracellular Ca2+ increase induced by glutamate in a concentration-dependent manner. The action of 17beta-estradiol was reversible after washout. Administration of membrane-impermeable 17beta-estradiol conjugated to bovine serum albumin (E2-BSA) produced the same effect, suggesting possible involvement of cell membrane receptors. ICI 182,780, a specific estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist, blocked the neuronal response to 17beta-estradiol and estradiol BSA, indicating a role of specific ERs. The present study demonstrates that 17beta-estradiol acutely reduces glutamate-stimulated intracellular Ca2+ increase via ERs probably on the cell surface of the hippocampal neurons.

Aniline Compounds↗

17beta-estradiol increases volume, apical surface and elasticity of human endothelium mediated by Na+/H+ exchange.

OBJECTIVE: 17beta-estradiol is known to delay the onset of atherosclerosis in women but cellular mechanisms are still unclear. Estrogens bind to specific receptors and initiate a signaling cascade that involves the activation of plasma membrane Na(+)/H(+) exchange. We hypothesized that estrogens interfere with ion transport across the plasma membrane and thus control endothelial structure and function. Therefore, we investigated the effects of the sex steroids 17beta-estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone on volume, apical surface and elasticity in human endothelium. METHODS: The atomic force microscope was used as an imaging tool and as an elasticity sensor. We applied the antiestrogen tamoxifen, the Na(+)/H(+) exchange blocker cariporide and the epithelial Na(+)channel blocker amiloride to elucidate the role of transmembrane ion transport in hormone-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). RESULTS: Incubation with 17beta-estradiol for 72 h led to a dose-dependent increase of endothelial cell volume (41%), apical cell surface (22%), and cell elasticity (53%) as compared to non-17beta-estradiol treated controls. Block of the 17beta-estradiol receptor by tamoxifen and of plasma membrane Na(+)/H(+) exchange by cariporide prevented the hormone-induced changes. Progesterone and testosterone were ineffective. CONCLUSIONS: 17beta-estradiol increases HUVEC water content and HUVEC elasticity mediated by activated estrogen receptors. The estrogen response depends on the activation of plasma membrane Na(+)/H(+) exchange. The increase in endothelial cell elasticity could be one of the vasoprotective mechanisms postulated for 17beta-estradiol.

Amiloride↗

Persistence and fate of 17beta-estradiol and testosterone in agricultural soils.

Steroidal hormones are constantly released into the environment by man-made and natural sources. The goal of this study was to examine the persistence and fate of 17beta-estradiol and testosterone, the two primary natural sex hormones. Incubation experiments were conducted under aerobic and anaerobic conditions using [4-(14)C]-radiolabeled 17beta-estradiol and testosterone. The results indicated that 6% of 17beta-estradiol and 63% of testosterone could be mineralized to (14)CO(2) in native soils under aerobic conditions. In native soils under anaerobic conditions, 2% of testosterone and no 17beta-estradiol was methanogenized to (14)CH(4). Essentially, no mineralization of either testosterone or 17beta-estradiol to (14)CO(2) occurred in autoclaved soils under aerobic or anaerobic condition. Results also indicated that 17beta-estradiol could be transformed to an unidentified polar compound through abiotic chemical processes; however, 17beta-estradiol was only oxidized to estrone via biological processes. The TLC results also indicated that testosterone was degraded, not by physical-chemical processes but by biological processes. Results also indicated that the assumed risks of estrogenic hormones in the environment might be over-estimated due to the soil's humic substances, which can immobilize majority of estrogenic hormones, and thereby reduce their bioavailability and toxicity.

Aerobiosis↗

Application of stable carbon isotope analysis to the detection of 17beta-estradiol administration to cattle.

The use of anabolic agents in food producing animals is prohibited within the EU since 1988 (96/22/EC directive). The control of the illegal use of natural steroid hormones in cattle is still an exciting analytical challenge as far as no definitive method and non-ambiguous analytical criteria are available. The ability of gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS) to demonstrate the administration of 17beta-estradiol to bovine has been investigated in this paper. By comparison of 13C/12C isotopic ratio of main urinary estradiol metabolite, i.e. 17alpha-estradiol, with two endogenous reference compounds (ERCs), i.e. dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and 5-androstene-3beta,17alpha-diol, the differentiation of estradiol metabolite origin, either endogenous or exogenous, has been proved to be achievable. After treatment, the delta(13)C(VPDB)-values of 17alpha-estradiol reached -27 per thousand to -29 per thousand, whereas delta13CVPDB-values of DHEA remained between -13 per thousand and -20 per thousand depending on the diet, maize and grass, respectively. A significant difference of delta13CVPDB between ERCs and 17alpha-estradiol was measurable over a period of 2 weeks after estradiol ester administration to the animal.

Androstenediol↗

Quantification of insulin-like growth factor binding protein mRNA using real-time PCR in bovine granulosa and theca cells: effect of estradiol, insulin, and gonadotropins.

The effects of estradiol, insulin, and gonadotropins on levels of insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP)-2, -3, -4, and -5 mRNA levels in bovine granulosa and theca cells were evaluated in vitro using serum-free medium containing various hormone treatments arranged in four different experiments. Amounts of IGFBP-2, -3, -4 and -5 mRNA were quantitated using fluorescent quantitative real-time RT-PCR. In small-follicle (1-5 mm) granulosa cells, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in the presence or absence of insulin increased (P<0.05) IGFBP-3 mRNA but did not change IGFBP-2, -4, or -5 mRNA levels; estradiol was without effect on IGFBP-2, -3, -4, or -5 mRNA levels in the absence of insulin but increased (P<0.05) IGFBP-2 mRNA levels in the presence of insulin. Luteinizing hormone (LH) in the absence (but not presence) of insulin increased (P<0.05) small-follicle granulosa cell IGFBP-3 mRNA levels. In large-follicle (>7.9 mm) granulosa cells, insulin alone increased (P<0.05) IGFBP-2 gene expression while LH, FSH, and estradiol were without effect (P>0.10). Estradiol (3 and 300 ng/ml) decreased (P<0.05) IGFBP-5 mRNA levels in large-follicle granulosa cells. In theca cells, insulin decreased (P<0.05) IGFBP-4 expression, but had no effect (P>0.10) on IGFBP-2, -3, or -5 mRNA levels. Estradiol decreased (P<0.05) IGFBP-2, -3, and -4 mRNA levels but had no effect on IGFBP-5 mRNA levels in theca cells. LH had no effect on levels of IGFBP-2, -3, -4, or -5 mRNA in theca cells. These results indicate that expression of IGFBP-2, -3, -4, and -5 mRNA by granulosa and theca cells are differentially regulated by estradiol, insulin and gonadotropins, therefore discretely modulating the amount of bioavailable IGFs to these cells depending upon the specific hormonal stimuli. In particular, these studies are the first in cattle to show that estradiol selectively inhibits IGFBP-2, -3, and -4 gene expression in theca cells, inhibits IGFBP-5 gene expression in large-follicle granulosa cells, and stimulates IGFBP-2 gene expression in small-follicle granulosa cells.

Animals↗

Follicular fluid concentration of transforming growth factor-beta1 is negatively correlated with estradiol and follicle size at the early stage of development of the first-wave cohort of bovine ovarian follicles.

The objectives of this study were to characterize the relationship between estradiol and transforming growth factor-beta1(TGF-beta1) concentrations in follicular fluid of growing bovine ovarian follicles, and to examine the effect of TGF-beta1 on FSH-stimulated estradiol secretion in cultured bovine granulosa cells. Follicular fluid was collected from individual follicles >5 mm in diameter by ultrasound-guided transvaginal puncture (n = 12 heifers). Follicles were sampled at four different stages of development of the first post-ovulatory wave during selection of the single dominant follicle. Estradiol, progesterone and total TGF-beta1 were measured in follicular fluid of the three or four largest follicles sampled when the largest follicle (F1) had reached either 6.5, 7.5, 8.5 or 9.5+/-0.5 mm stage of development. There was a significant negative relationship between follicular fluid TGF-beta1 and estradiol concentrations (R2 = 0.44; p < 0.002), and between TGF-beta1 concentrations and follicle diameter (R2 = 0.23; p < 0.01) in cohort follicles at the 6.5 mm stage, but not at any later stage of development of the follicle wave. There was no correlation between progesterone and TGF-beta1 concentrations at any stage. To assess the causal relationship between TGF-beta1 and estradiol, granulosa cells from follicles measuring 2-5 mm at dissection were placed in serum-free culture. TGF-beta1 caused a dose-dependent decrease in FSH-stimulated estradiol secretion (P < 0.001). These findings suggest that TGF-beta1 has an inhibitory effect on estradiol secretion in FSH-stimulated follicles and that a reduction in TGF-beta1 inhibition may be part of the mechanism of selection of a single dominant follicle.

Animals↗