Interactions of calcium and cyclic AMP signaling pathways regulating steroidogenesis in primary cultured theca and granulosa cells of Atlantic croaker

Abstract

The function of adenylyl cyclase (AC)-dependent and calcium (Ca2+)-dependent signal transduction pathways in mediating gonadotropin-stimulated testosterone (T) synthesis in croaker follicular cells was investigated. Both pathways are critical regulators of steroidogenesis in these cells. Stimulation of steroidogenesis by modulators of AC-dependent cell signaling is partially dependent on the presence of extracellular Ca2+, although AC function does not appear to be mediated by the Ca2+ pathway in croaker follicular cells.