Steroid receptor mRNA expression in the ovarian follicles of cows with cystic ovarian disease

Abstract

Steroid receptors have been demonstrated to be important intra-ovarian regulators of follicular development and ovulatory processes. The aim of the present study was to determine the expression of steroid receptor mRNA in ovarian follicular structures from cows with cystic ovarian disease (COD) compared with ovarian structures from regularly cycling cows using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The cystic follicles showed a higher estrogen receptor α (ESR1) mRNA expression in the theca and granulosa and a lower estrogen receptor β (ESR2) expression. The cystic follicles also showed a strong expression of androgen receptor mRNA in the granulosa. No changes were observed in total progesterone receptor mRNA, but a very significant increase in the B isoform was found in the granulosa of the cystic follicles. The findings of the current study provide evidence that an altered steroid signaling system may be present in bovine follicular cysts, and we suggest that in conditions characterized by altered ovulation, such as COD, changes in the expression of ovarian steroid receptors could play a fundamental role in the pathogeny of this disease.