Abstract
1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (VD3), an active form of Vitamin D, is photosynthesized in the skin of vertebrates in response to solar ultraviolet B radiation (UV-B). VD3 deficiency can cause health problems such as immune disease, metabolic disease, and bone disorders. It has also been demonstrated that VD3 is involved in reproductive functions. Female sex hormones such as estrogen and progesterone are biosynthesized mainly in ovarian granulosa cells as the ovarian follicle develops. The functions of sex hormones include regulation of the estrus cycle and puberty as well as maintenance of pregnancy in females. In this study, we isolated granulosa cells from porcine ovaries and cultured them for experiments. To examine the effects of VD3 on ovarian granulosa cells, the mRNA and protein levels of genes were analyzed by Real-time PCR and Western blotting assay. Production of progesterone from granulosa cells was also measured by ELISA assay. As a result, transcriptional and translational regulation of progesterone biosynthesis-related genes in granulosa cells was significantly altered by VD3. Furthermore, progesterone concentrations in porcine granulosa cell-cultured media decreased in response to VD3. These results show that VD3 was a strong regulator of sex steroid hormone production in porcine granulosa cells, suggesting that vitamin D deficiency may result in inappropriate sexual development of industrial animals and eventually economic loss.
Highlights
Vitamin D refers to a group of fat-soluble secosteroids responsible for enhancing intestinal absorption of calcium, magnesium, and phosphate[1]
We examined the effects of VD3 on expression of progesterone biosynthesis-related enzymes such as CYP11A1 and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD)
Progesterone can be linked to disorders affecting female reproductive organs, such as breast cancer, infertility, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, and etc[15]
Summary
Vitamin D refers to a group of fat-soluble secosteroids responsible for enhancing intestinal absorption of calcium, magnesium, and phosphate[1]. Vitamin D obtained from the diet or dermal synthesis due to sunlight is biologically inactive, and its activation requires enzymatic conversion in the liver and kidney. It is assumed that vitamin D is not produced in the body, which means that all vitamin D is obtained from food intake or sunlight[2]. The two major forms of vitamin D are vitamin D2 or ergocalciferol and vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol[3]. Vitamin D is converted into calcidiol, which is known as calcifediol. Received 12 Feb 2016, Revised Mar 2016, Accepted Mar 2016, Epub 20 May 2016 CLC number: R977.2, Document code: A.
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