Abstract
Studies indicate that many tissues could express follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) besides pituitary. New functions of FSH are also been recognized beyond reproduction regulation. However, no report has been made about the expression and function of FSH in rat pancreas yet. Dual-labeled immunofluorescence stain, in situ hybridization and dual-labeled immunohistochemistry stain in adjacent sections were used to study the expression of FSH and its receptor, and co-localization of FSH with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor in rat pancreas. Tissue incubation and enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) were used to study the effects of FSH on the secretion of insulin and glucagon in rat pancreas in vitro. The results showed that rat pancreas could express FSH and its receptor, some of islet cells co-expressed FSH and its receptor, some of islet cells co-expressed FSH and GnRH receptor. FSH has the same bidirectional regulation effects on insulin and glucagon in vitro. These data suggested that rat pancreas is a target organ of FSH, and GnRH might regulate FSH through GnRH receptor in rat pancreas. FSH might regulate the endocrine function of rat pancreas through FSH receptor.
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