Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) mRNA has been detected in bovine granulosa cells (1). OT is secreted in vitro by bovine granulosa cells obtained at abattoirs (2, 3, 4), and OT secretion is enhanced in the presence of theca interna (3, 4). We observed previously that the addition of exogenous OT to granulosa cell cultures had a dose-dependent stimulatory effect on progesterone secretion by granulosa cells (5). Since the OT gene is expressed in ovarian follicles, and there is indirect evidence that OT secretion might change during the course of follicular development (6, 7), we have examined the ability of granulosa cells obtained at specific stages of development of the preovulatory follicle to secrete OT. Here we show that OT secretion is much greater when granulosa cells are isolated late in the follicular phase, as compared with follicles obtained earlier, but that OT secretion is enhanced by gonadotropins and co-culture with theca only when granulosa cells are obtained during early follicular phase.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call