Inhibin mRNAs in ovine and bovine ovarian follicles and corpora lutea throughout the estrous cycle and gestation

Abstract

Follicles and corpora lutea were dissected from ovine and bovine ovaries and the RNA extracted and subjected to Northern blot analyses for α- and β A-inhibin mRNAs, using bovine cDNA and cRNA probes. A cDNA probe detecting mRNA for cholesterol side-chain cleavage cytochrome P-450 ( P-450 scc ) was used as a positive control. In cattle, α- and β A-inhibin mRNAs were not detected in ovarian stroma, which could potentially have contained follicles up to 0.5 mm in diameter. Inhibin α- and β- A mRNAs were detected in bovine antral follicles but after ovulation, the relative levels of α- and β A-inhibin mRNAs declined and were undetectable in mature fully developed cyclic corpora lutea and in pregnancy corpora lutea from early to late gestation of the cow. In sheep, α- and β A-inhibin mRNAs were detected in a pool of antral follicles but not in cyclic or pregnancy corpora lutea, which did contain P-450 scc mRNA. It is concluded that in cattle and sheep, follicles and not mature corpora lutea are the ovarian source of inhibin.