Follicle-stimulating Hormone Expression Research Articles

The effects of endogenous FSH and its receptor on oogenesis and folliculogenesis in female Alligator sinensis

BackgroundThe precise mechanisms of hormone action responsible for the full course of events modulating folliculogenesis in crocodilian have not been determined, although histological features have been identified.ResultsThe Alligator sinensis ovarian morphological characteristics observed at 1, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 300 days post hatching(dph) revealed that the dynamic changes in germ cells varied in different meiotic and developmental stages, confirming that the processes of folliculogenesis were protracted and asynchronous. The presence of endogenous follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH) mRNA and protein expression within the cerebrum at 1 dph, in parallel with the increase in germ cells within the germ cell nests(Nest) from 1 dph to 15 dph, suggested that endocrine regulation of the pituitary-gonad axis is an early event in oogonia division. Furthermore, the endogenous expression of FSH showed a trend of negative feedback augmentation accompanied by the exhaustion of maternal yolk E2 observed at 15 dph. Such significant elevation of endogenous FSH levels was observed to be related to pivotal events in the transition from mitosis to meiosis, as reflected by the proportion of oogonia during premeiosis interphase, with endogenous FSH levels reaching a peak at the earliest time step of 1 dph. In addition, the simultaneous upregulation of premeiotic marker STRA8 mRNA expression and the increase in endogenous FSH further verified the above speculation. The strongly FSHr-positive label in the oocytes within Pre-previtellogenic follicles was synchronized with the significant elevation of ovarian cAMP detected at 300 dph, which suggested that diplotene arrest maintenance during early vitellogenesis might be FSH dependent. In addition, preferential selection in asynchronous meiotic initiation has been supposed to act on somatic supportive cells and not directly on germ cells via regulation of FSH that in turn affects downstream estrogen levels. This suggestion was verified by the reciprocal stimulating effect of FSH and E2 on the accelerated meiotic marker SYCP3 and by the inhibited cell apoptosis demonstrated in ovarian cell culture in vitro.ConclusionThe corresponding results contribute an expansion of the understanding of physiological processes and shed some light on the specific factors responsible for gonadotropin function in the early folliculogenesis of crocodilians.

The ameliorative effect of CangFu Daotan Decoction on polycystic ovary syndrome of rodent model is associated with m6A methylation and Wnt/β-catenin pathway

Objective: This study investigates the effects of CangFu Daotan Decoction (CDD) on m6A methylation and Wnt/β-catenin pathway in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Methods: The PCOS rat model was established by letrozole gavage. The rats were fed high-fat chow, and their body weight and blood glucose were recorded. The expressions of follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH), luteinizing hormone(LH), and testosterone(T) were quantified by ELISA. Chemical components in CDD were analyzed using UPLC-Q/TOF-MS. Based on network pharmacology methods, related targets of CDD on PCOS were screened. An enrichment analysis according to Tokyo Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) was conducted to predict the potential signaling pathway of CDD in PCOS. The expressions of Wnt-1, β-Catenin, GSK-3β, C-MYC, Beclin1, LC3II, Bax, and PCNA were detected by western blotting. The expressions of Mettl3, Mettl14, Fto, Alkbh5, Ythdf1, and Ythdf2 were monitored by RT-PCR. The expressions of Mettl3, Fto, and Ythdf1 were detected by western blotting.Results: Letrozole and a high-fat diet induced ovarian dysfunction in rats, which was attenuated by CDD. CDD decreased blood glucose, LH, and T concentrations and increased FSH expression in PCOS. After removing duplicates, a total of 71 compounds were identified by UHPLC-Q/TOF-MS, among which terpenoids and flavonoids account for the main proportion. The clustering analysis showed that the active site of CDD might be in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. CDD decreased the expressions of Wnt-1, β-Catenin, GSK-3β, C-MYC, Beclin1, LC3II, and Bax and increased PCNA expression in the ovarian tissue of PCOS rats. CDD decreased the m6A gene expressions of Mettl3, Mettl14, Fto, Alkbh5, Ythdf1, and Ythdf2 in peripheral blood and ovarian tissue of PCOS rats. CDD reduced the m6A proteins expressions of Mettl3, Fto, and Ythdf1 in the ovarian tissue of PCOS rats.Conclusion: CDD can regulate m6A modification and inhibit the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in PCOS rats, thereby reducing body weight, lowering blood glucose levels, improving sex hormone disorders, and decreasing autophagy and apoptosis in ovarian tissue to promote the recovery of ovarian morphology.

Endometrial Heparin-Binding Epidermal Growth Factor Gene Expression and Hormone Level Changes in Implantation Window of Obese Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder amongst reproductive-age women, and 61% to 76% of women with PCOS are obese. Obese women with PCOS are usually burdened with infertility problems due to implantation failure. Thus, progesterone treatment is usually used to improve implantation rates. Although Hb-EGF expression is actively involved in endometrial receptivity and implantation, the data on heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (Hb-EGF) expression following progesterone therapy in obese women with PCOS are still lacking. To investigate the changes in serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH), dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEA), progesterone and oestradiol levels and Hb-EGF expression in obese women with PCOS during the implantation window following progesterone therapy. A total of 40 participants aged 18-40 years old were recruited following the provision of written consent. The participants were divided into the obese PCOS, normal-weight PCOS, obese fertile and normal-weight fertile groups. First blood collection was done before ovulation. Then, daily oral micronised progesterone (Utrogestan 200 mg) was given to the PCOS group for 10 days. The treatment was followed by a second blood collection and endometrial tissue sampling by using a Pipelle de Cornier catheter. In the fertile group, ovulation was confirmed by using ultrasound, and a second blood sample was collected on days 7 to 9 postovulation. The serum levels of FSH, LH, DHEA, progesterone and oestradiol were measured in all participants. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare FSH, LH, DHEA, progesterone and oestradiol levels during pre- and postovulation. Mann-Whitney test was performed to compare FSH, LH, DHEA, progesterone and oestradiol levels between two groups: (1) the PCOS group and the fertile group, (2) the obese PCOS group and the non-obese PCOS group and (3) the obese group and the non-obese fertile group. Serum FSH levels were lower in obese women in their follicular phase than in women with normal weight regardless of their PCOS status, whereas serum LH/FSH ratios and DHEA levels were higher in women with PCOS than in women without PCOS. However, endometrial Hb-EGF expression was lower in the obese PCOS group than in the normal-weight PCOS group. Different patterns of hormonal levels and Hb-EGF expression levels were seen between the studied groups. However, further in vitro and in vivo studies are needed to investigate the mechanism underlying the changes in FSH, LH/FSH ratio, DHEA and Hb-EGF expression in PCOS after progesterone treatment.

Effect of experimentally induced prepubertal hyperthyroidism on postubertal reproductive activity in male rats

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of induced prepubertal hyperthyroidism on the reproductive functions of male rats at the pubertal stage. Hyperthyroidism was induced by supplementing thyroxin in drinking water (0.002% w/v) and drenching of 200 μg/kg body weight. Sixty immature males (aged 50 days) were allocated to control and hyperthyroid (PH) groups, administered with distilled water and thyroxin, respectively. Each group was subdivided into three subgroups, sacrificed after 15 days (C15 and PH15), after administration for 15 days and left without treatment for 15 days (C15+ and PH15+), or after 30 days (C30 and PH30). After each period, body weight and relative weight of genital organs were recorded. Serum concentrations of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxin (TT4), triiodothyronine (TT3), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone was assessed. The expression levels of testicular inha and thyroid hormone receptor (THR) genes were analyzed. Histopathological examination of testis was studied. Compared with control, PH group male rats showed decreased body weight gain and genital organ weights at all experimental periods, increased levels of serum TT4, TT3, and LH, decreased levels of TSH, FSH, and testosterone, and lower expression levels of testicular inha and THR genes. Testicular sections of PH group male rats, showed reduced germinal epithelium, vacuolation, and decreased the number of spermatocytes and Sertoli cells compared with control. In conclusion, the disturbed fluctuations of sex steroid hormones due to prepubertal hyperthyroidism might cause retardation of the testes’ development.

Expression of pituitary gonadotropic hormone and sex hormones receptors in endometrial cellular components during menstrual cycle

Introduction. The main function of the endometrium is to create the optimal environment for embryo implantation, controlled by multicomponent signaling pathways. They are modulated by progesterone and estradiol acting through related estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR). Alteration in steroid hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSHR), and luteinizing hormone (LGHR) receptor expression are underlying factors in the development of various reproductive disorders. Therefore, understanding the physiological features of receptors expression and localization in tissues is extremely important for a proper comprehensive assessment of the endometrial condition.
 Materials and methods. The expression of ER, PR, FSHR, and LGHR in endometrial samples of healthy females from different menstrual periods, who applied for assisted reproductive technologies (ART) due to male infertility, was assessed by immunofluorescence.
 Results. The increase in immunoreactivity of ER, PR, FSHR, and LGHR in the glands and stroma of the endometrium is initiated during the early proliferation stage and reaches its maximum during the late proliferation stage. Subsequently, ER expression in the glands and stroma gradually decreases throughout the early and middle stages of secretion; PR immunoreactivity in the stroma and FSHR and LGHR in all endometrial components persists throughout the secretion stage.
 Conclusion. The correspondence between the change of the studied receptors' expression and endometrium structural features at different stages of the menstrual cycle was demonstrated. The increased expression of ER, PR, FSHR, and LGHR in the endometrium at the proliferation stage coincides with the growth period of the uterine body mucosa, and the increased immunoreactivity of PR, FSHR, and LGHR during the secretion stage is associated with its decidual transformation and seems to create conditions for successful implantation and embryo development if pregnancy occurs.

Ovarian expression of follicle stimulating hormone and activin receptors genes in a prenatally-androgenized rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome in adulthood.

The expression of genes involved in basic pathways, such as folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis may be affected following prenatal androgen exposure. Besides, exposure to androgens during prenatal life plays a central role in developing polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in females in later life. In the present study, we aimed to examine the expression of the follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) and activin receptor (actR) genes in ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) of a prenatally-androgenized rat model of PCOS in adulthood. In the adult rat model of PCOS and their controls (n = 8 in each group), different phases of the estrous cycle were determined by vaginal smear. Total RNA was extracted from the ovarian GCs using the TRIzol protocol, a reverse transcription kit was used for complementary DNA (cDNA) synthesis, and the expression of FSHR and actR genes was measured by SYBR-Green Real-Time PCR. GraphPad Prism was used for statistical analysis of data, and the t-Student'stestwasused to compare the results between the two groups. PCOS rats had longer and irregular estrous cycles compared to controls. The expression of FSHR and actR genes were significantly decreased in the rat model of PCOS compared to control rats. In PCOS rats, genes expression ratios for FSHR and actR were 0.91 ± 0.11 times (P = 0.008) and 0.42 ± 0.13 times (P = 0.048) less than controls, respectively. Reduced expression of the FSHR and actR genes in ovarian GCs may be one of the mechanisms mediating PCOS-related disorders, especially abnormal ovarian folliculogenesis and ovulation dysfunction, following exposure to androgens during fetal life.

Effects of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on expression of CYR61, FSH, and AMH in mice with premature ovarian failure.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on the expression of CYR61, FSH and AMH in mice with premature ovarian failure. For this purpose, thirty SPF female SD mice were selected as the research object, 10 of which were control group, namely group α, and 20 mice with premature ovarian failure model were established by cyclophosphamide. The mice were divided into the model group, namely the β group and the umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell transplantation group (γ group), with 10 mice in each group. ELSA method was used to determine the levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (Estradiol) in serum. The changes of E2, Antimullerian hormone (AMH) and cysteine-rich protein 61 in ovarian tissues were determined by the protein imprinting method. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and caspase-3 protein expression. Results showed that in fertility rate, γ group > α group > β group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05), in litter size, α group > γ group > β group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The levels of serum E2 and AMH in α group > γ group > β group, and the levels of serum FSH and LH in β group > γ group > α group were statistically significant (P<0.05). The growth follicles were α group > γ group > β group, and the atresia follicles were β group > γ group > α group, and there was a statistical difference among all groups (P<0.05). There was no difference in luteal number among the three groups (P>0.05). In terms of CYR61 and CTGF protein expression, α group > γ group > β group, and in terms of caspase-3, β group > γ group > α group had statistical significance (P<0.05). It is concluded that intervention with umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells can significantly improve the expression levels of CYR61 and AMH, reduce the level of FSH, promote cell survival, improve the reproductive quality of mice, and restore the physiological function of the ovary. It is feasible to treat premature ovarian failure with umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells.

Effects of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on expression of CYR61, FSH and AMH in mice with premature ovarian failure.

The aim of this study was to objective to investigate the effects of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on the expression of CYR61, FSH and AMH in mice with premature ovarian failure. For this purpose, thirty SPF female SD mice were selected as the research object, 10 of which were control group, namely group α, and 20 mice with premature ovarian failure model were established by cyclophosphamide. The mice were divided into model group, namely β group and the umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell transplantation group (γ group), with 10 mice in each group. ELSA method was used to determine the levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (Estradiol) in serum. The changes of E2, Antimullerian hormone (AMH) and cysteine-rich protein 61 in ovarian tissues were determined by the protein imprinting method. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and caspase-3 protein expression. Results showed that in fertility rate, γ group > α group > β group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05), in litter size, α group > γ group > β group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The levels of serum E2 and AMH in α group > γ group > β group, and the levels of serum FSH and LH in β group > γ group > α group were statistically significant (P<0.05). The growth follicles were α group > γ group > β group, and the atresia follicles were β group > γ group > α group, and there was a statistical difference among all groups (P<0.05). There was no difference in luteal number among the three groups (P>0.05). In terms of CYR61 and CTGF protein expression, α group > γ group > β group, and in terms of caspase-3, β group > γ group > α group had statistical significance (P<0.05). It is concluded that intervention with umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells can significantly improve the expression levels of CYR61 and AMH, reduce the level of FSH, promote cell survival, improve the reproductive quality of mice, and restore the physiological function of the ovary. It is feasible to treat premature ovarian failure with umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells.

Carpolobia lutea Root Extract Improved Steroidogenic Activity in Male Wistar Rats Exposed to Cadmium

Cadmium (Cd) is known to affect reproductive functions adversely. Carpolobia lutea is a protective herbal derivative due to its antioxidant potential. This study investigates the steroidogenic activities of methanol extract of Carpolobia lutea root on cadmium-induced reproductive toxicity in male Wistar rats. Carpolobia lutea root was obtained in Ijare via Akure. The plant was authenticated at the herbarium of Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), Ibadan, Nigeria, with FHI number 109784. The methanol extract Carpolobia lutea root (MCL) was obtained by Soxhlet extraction. Thirty male Wistar rats (150-170g) were used in this study (n=5) and treated as follows: Control, Cd (2 mg/kg), Cd+MCL (2 mg/kg+100 mg/kg), Cd+MCL (2 mg/kg+200 mg/kg), MCL (100 mg/kg), and MCL (200 mg/kg). The extract was administered orally for eight weeks, and a single dose of 2 mg/kg Cd was given intraperitoneally. Serum Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone levels, testicular hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (HSDs) activities and Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory protein (StAR) expression were evaluated. Data were subjected to descriptive statistics and analysed using ANOVA at p&lt;0.05. Serum FSH, LH, testosterone levels, 3β-HSD, 17β-HSD activities and StAR expression were significantly reduced (p&lt;0.05) in Cd group. The co-administration of Cd with MCL (200mg/kg) significantly increased (p&lt;0.05) serum FSH, LH, testosterone levels, 3β-HSD, 17β-HSD activities and StAR expression when compared with Cd group. Carpolobia lutea root extract improved steroidogenic activity in male Wistar rats exposed to cadmium.

Carpolobia lutea Root Extract Improved Steroidogenic Activity in Male Wistar Rats Exposed to Cadmium

Cadmium (Cd) is known to affect reproductive functions adversely. Carpolobia lutea is a protective herbal derivative due to its antioxidant potential. This study investigates the steroidogenic activities of methanol extract of Carpolobia lutea root on cadmium-induced reproductive toxicity in male Wistar rats. Carpolobia lutea root was obtained in Ijare via Akure. The plant was authenticated at the herbarium of Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), Ibadan, Nigeria, with FHI number 109784. The methanol extract Carpolobia lutea root (MCL) was obtained by Soxhlet extraction. Thirty male Wistar rats (150-170g) were used in this study (n=5) and treated as follows: Control, Cd (2 mg/kg), Cd+MCL (2 mg/kg+100 mg/kg), Cd+MCL (2 mg/kg+200 mg/kg), MCL (100 mg/kg), and MCL (200 mg/kg). The extract was administered orally for eight weeks, and a single dose of 2 mg/kg Cd was given intraperitoneally. Serum Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone levels, testicular hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (HSDs) activities and Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory protein (StAR) expression were evaluated. Data were subjected to descriptive statistics and analysed using ANOVA at p&lt;0.05. Serum FSH, LH, testosterone levels, 3β-HSD, 17β-HSD activities and StAR expression were significantly reduced (p&lt;0.05) in Cd group. The co-administration of Cd with MCL (200mg/kg) significantly increased (p&lt;0.05) serum FSH, LH, testosterone levels, 3β-HSD, 17β-HSD activities and StAR expression when compared with Cd group. Carpolobia lutea root extract improved steroidogenic activity in male Wistar rats exposed to cadmium.

Leptin Is an Important Endocrine Player That Directly Activates Gonadotropic Cells in Teleost Fish, Chub Mackerel.

Leptin, secreted by adipocytes, directly influences the onset of puberty in mammals. Our previous study showed that leptin stimulation could promote the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) from pituitary cells in primary culture and ovarian development in chub mackerel. This study aimed to elucidate the detailed mechanism of leptin-induced effects on gonadotropin hormone-producing cells. We produced recombinant leptin using silkworm pupae and investigated the effects of leptin on FSH and LH secretion and gene expression in the primary culture of pituitary cells from chub mackerel. The presence or absence of co-expression of lepr mRNA, FSH and LH b-subunit mRNA in gonadotropic cells was examined by double-labeled in situ hybridization. The addition of leptin significantly increased the secretion and gene expression of FSH and LH from male and female pituitary cells in primary culture. In contrast, gonadotropin-releasing hormone 1 affected neither FSH secretion in cells from females nor fshb and lhb expression in cells from males and females. The expression of lepr was observed in FSH- and LH-producing cells of both males and females. The results indicate that leptin directly regulates gonadotropin synthesis and secretion and plays an important role in the induction of puberty in teleost fish.

Effects of ammonia on hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis in female rabbits

BackgroundAs one of the most harmful gases in the livestock house, ammonia is recognized as an environmental stressor by Environmental Protection Agency (United States). The study aimed to explore the effect of ammonia on hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis of rabbits. A total of ninety two-month-old female IRA rabbits were randomly divided into three groups, and were kept in animal environment control rooms for four weeks at college of animal science and technology, Hebei Agricultural University (Baoding, China). The rabbits in the control group were kept under ammonia concentration of < 3 ppm. The two treatment groups were kept under ammonia concentration of 30 ppm and 50 ppm. Hypothalamus, pituitary, and ovary were collected for hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, immunohistochemistry, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Serum was collected for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ResultsHistopathological examination revealed that exposed to excess ammonia damaged the morphology and structure of hypothalamus, pituitary, and ovary. TUNEL assay revealed that apoptosis rate increased in hypothalamus, pituitary, and ovary. The protein expression levels of Bcl-2associated X protein (Bax) and Caspase-9 increased, while B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) decreased, resulting in apoptosis. Moreover, the concentration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), and progesterone (PROG) reduced in plasma. The mRNA expression of FSH and LH in pituitary and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), E2, PROG in ovary as well as decreased, indicated hormone secretion disorder. ConclusionsThe results indicated that ammonia exposure damaged hypothalamus, pituitary, and ovary, caused hormone secretion disorder and apoptosis.

Mechanism of quercetin on the improvement of ovulation disorder and regulation of ovarian CNP/NPR2 in PCOS model rats

To investigate the effects of quercetin on ovulation disorder and expression of androgen receptor (AR) and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) / Natriuretic Peptide Receptor 2 (NPR2) in dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)-induced polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) rat model. DHEA was used to construct the PCOS rat model. After intervention with quercetin, metformin, and AR, the estrous cycle, ovarian and uterine weight of rats were measured. The morphological changes of ovarian and uterine were detected by hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE staining). Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were measured by Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunohistochemical detection of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2), BCL2-Associated X (Bax) and AR expression in ovarian. Determination of the expression of CNP and NPR2 mRNA by qRT-PCR. Chromatin immunocoprecipitation (ChIP) was used to detect the ability of AR to bind to CNP or NPR2 promoter. The results showed that quercetin could significantly reduce the expression of Testosterone (T) , Estradiol (E2) , LH, Bax, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α, increase the expression of FSH and Bcl-2, inhibit the expression of AR, regulate the expression of CNP / NPR2 gene and protein by affecting the combination of AR with the specific sequence of CNP and NPR2 gene promoters, restore the maturation of oocyte and ovulation. The results suggest that quercetin can alleviate the hormone, metabolic and ovulatory aberrations caused by PCOS, and provide experimental basis for the clinical application of quercetin in PCOS.

β-Sitosterol Ameliorates Endometrium Receptivity in PCOS-Like Mice: The Mediation of Gut Microbiota.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), one of the most common endocrine diseases in women of childbearing age, has been found to be accompanied by changes in the gut microbiota. The Bu Shen Yang Xue formula (BSYXF) is a traditional Chinese medicine widely used for the treatment of PCOS. This study aimed to investigate whether the protective effects of β-sitosterol, the main active ingredient of BSYXF, on PCOS was mediated by regulating gut microbiota.Methods: The presence of β-sitosterol in BSYXF was detected by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The PCOS-like mouse model was induced by dehydroepiandrosterone. The fecal supernatant of β-sitosterol-treated mice was prepared for fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). Body weight and wet weight of the uterus and ovary of the mice were recorded for organ index calculation. Hematoxylin and eosin stain was used to assess the endometrial morphology and microenvironment changes. Expression of endometrial receptivity markers cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), Integrin ανβ3, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and homeobox A10 (HOXA10) in the endometrium were determined by immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to detect the expression of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone (P), and testosterone (T) in the serum. The diversity of gut microbiota was examined by 16S rDNA gene sequencing.Results: With the treatment of β-sitosterol and β-sitosterol-FMT, the uterine index of PCOS-like mice increased, the ovarian index decreased, levels of COX-2, LH and T decreased, and levels of Integrin ανβ3, LIF, HOXA10, FSH, and P increased. Under β-sitosterol treatment, the structure of the gut microbiota in PCOS-like mice was also changed.Conclusion: β-sitosterol regulates the endometrial receptivity of PCOS and harmonizes the sex hormone balance, which may be related to the changes in the structure and composition of gut microbiota, thus affecting the pathological process of PCOS.

Reduced Gonadotrophin Receptor Expression Is Associated with a More Aggressive Ovarian Cancer Phenotype.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH) play important roles in regulating cell growth and proliferation in the ovary. However, few studies have explored the expression of FSH and LH receptors (FSHR and LHCGR) in ovarian cancer, and their functional roles in cancer progression remain inconclusive. This study investigated the potential impact of both mRNA (FSHR, LHCGR) and protein (FSHR, LHCGR) expression on ovarian cancer progression using publicly available online databases, qRT-PCR (high grade serous ovarian cancers, HGSOC, n = 29 and benign ovarian tumors, n = 17) and immunohistochemistry (HGSOC, n = 144). In addition, we investigated the effect of FSHR and LHCGR siRNA knockdown on the pro-metastatic behavior of serous ovarian cancer cells in vitro. High FSHR or high LHCGR expression in patients with all subtypes of high-grade ovarian cancer was significantly associated with longer progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). High FSHR protein expression was associated with increased PFS (p = 0.050) and OS (p = 0.025). HGSOC patients with both high FSHR and high LHCGR protein levels had the best survival outcome, whilst both low FSHR and low LHCGR expression was associated with poorest survival (p = 0.019). Knockdown of FSHR significantly increased the invasion of serous ovarian cancer cells (OVCAR3 and COV362) in vitro. LHCGR knockdown also promoted invasion of COV362 cells. This study highlights that lower FSHR and LHCGR expression is associated with a more aggressive epithelial ovarian cancer phenotype and promotes pro-metastatic behaviour.

Effects of Kiss2 on the Expression of Gonadotropin Genes in the Pituitary of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

Kisspeptin, expressed mainly in the hypothalamus, stimulates gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons to facilitate reproduction. In some model animals, the kisspeptin is also expressed in the pituitary. Recently, a pathway has been suggested in which kisspeptin acts directly on the pituitary to secretion of gonadotropin in mammals. In the present study, pituitaries of the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were cultured at different concentrations of kisspeptin-10 (Kp-10, FNYNPLSLRF) for 3 hours to observe the effect of kisspeptin on the expression of follicle-stimulating hormone β subunit (fshβ) gene and luteinizing hormone β subunit (lhβ) gene. Pituitary tissues were cultured with 0.1 μM of Kp-10, luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH), or LHRH+Kp-10 for 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours to investigate changes in the expression of fshβ and lhβ mRNA. Pituitaries cultured with high concentration of Kp-10 more than 0.1 μM for 3 hours exhibited a significant increase of fshβ mRNA expression, but not lhβ mRNA. The expression of both fshβ and lhβ mRNA increased after 6 hours in 0.1 μM of Kp-10 medium in comparison with that in the control medium. Tissues cultured in the LHRH medium however exhibited increased expression of both genes not only at 6 but also 12 hours. There were no significant differences of fshβ and lhβ gene expression in tissues cultured with LHRH+KP-10 medium compared with the control. These results suggested that although kisspeptin plays an important role in fshβ and lhβ expression in the pituitary of Nile tilapia, its action is far more complicated than expected.

Developmental and hormonal regulation of ubiquitin-like with plant homeodomain and really interesting new gene finger domains 1 gene expression in ovarian granulosa and theca cells of cattle.

Ubiquitin-like with plant homeodomain and really interesting new gene finger domains 1 (UHRF1) is a multi-domain nuclear protein that plays an important role in epigenetics and tumorigenesis, but its role in normal ovarian follicle development remains unknown. Thus, the present study evaluated if UHRF1 mRNA abundance in bovine follicular cells is developmentally and hormonally regulated, and if changes in UHRF1 are associated with changes in DNA methylation in follicular cells. Abundance of UHRF1 mRNA was greater in granulosa cells (GC) and theca cells (TC) from small (<6 mm) than large (≥8 mm) follicles and was greater in small-follicle GC than TC. In GC and TC, fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) treatment increased (P < 0.05) UHRF1 expression by 2-fold. Also, luteinizing hormone (LH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) increased (P < 0.05) UHRF1 expression in TC by 2-fold, and forskolin (an adenylate cyclase inducer) alone or combined with IGF1 increased (P < 0.05) UHRF1 expression by 3-fold. An E2F transcription factor inhibitor (E2Fi) decreased (P < 0.05) UHRF1 expression by 44% in TC and by 99% in GC. Estradiol, progesterone, and dibutyryl-cAMP decreased (P < 0.05) UHRF1 mRNA abundance in GC. Treatment of GC with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) alone had no effect but when combined with IGF1 enhanced the UHRF1 mRNA abundance by 2.7-fold. Beauvericin (a mycotoxin) completely inhibited the FSH plus IGF1-induced UHRF1 expression in small-follicle GC. Treatments that increased UHRF1 mRNA (i.e., FGF9) in GC tended to decrease (by 63%; P < 0.10) global DNA methylation, and those that decreased UHRF1 mRNA (i.e., E2Fi) in GC tended to increase (by 2.4-fold; P < 0.10) global DNA methylation. Collectively, these results suggest that UHRF1 expression in both GC and TC is developmentally and hormonally regulated, and that UHRF1 may play a role in follicular growth and development as well as be involved in ovarian epigenetic processes.

FSH Levels Are Related to E-cadherin Expression and Subcellular Location in Nonfunctioning Pituitary Tumors.

ContextGonadotroph pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) can express follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) or be hormone negative, but they rarely secrete hormones. During tumor development, epithelial cells develop a mesenchymal phenotype. This process is characterized by decreased membranous E-cadherin and translocation of E-cadherin to the nucleus. Estrogen receptors (ERs) regulate both E-cadherin and FSH expression and secretion. Whether the hormone status of patients with gonadotroph PitNETs is regulated by epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and ERs is unknown.ObjectivesTo study the effect of EMT on hormone expression in gonadotroph nonfunctioning (NF)-PitNETs.DesignMolecular and clinical analyses of 105 gonadotroph PitNETs. Immunohistochemical studies and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction were performed for FSH, LH, E-cadherin, and ERα. Further analyses included blood samples, clinical data, and radiological images.SettingAll patients were operated on in the same tertiary referral center.ResultsNF-PitNET with high FSH expression had decreased immunohistochemical staining for membranous E-cadherin (P < .0001) and increased staining for nuclear E-cadherin (P < .0001). Furthermore, high FSH expression was associated with increased ERα staining (P = .0002) and ERα mRNA (P = .0039). Circulating levels of plasma-FSH (P-FSH) correlated with FSH staining in gonadotroph NF-PitNET (P = .0025). Tumor size and invasiveness was not related to FSH staining, E-cadherin, or ERα. LH expression was not associated with E-cadherin or ERα.ConclusionIn gonadotroph PitNETs, FSH staining is related to E-cadherin, ERα expression, and circulating levels of P-FSH. There was no association between FSH staining and invasiveness. The clinical significance of these findings will be investigated in ongoing prospective studies.

Acromegaly with congenital generalized lipodystrophy \u2013 two rare insulin resistance conditions in one patient: a case report

BackgroundLipodystrophies are a group of diseases which are characterized by abnormal adipose tissue deposition and are frequently associated with metabolic changes. Congenital generalized lipodystrophy is an autosomal recessive syndrome, with a prevalence < 1:10 million. Acromegaly is a rare disease, secondary to the chronic hypersecretion of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1, with characteristic metabolic and somatic effects. “Acromegaloidism” is a term used for patients who manifest clinical features of acromegaly, but do not present a demonstrable hormone growth hypersecretion. The extreme shortage of subcutaneous adipose tissues and muscle hypertrophy confer an acromegaloid-like appearance in these patients.Case presentationWe describe a case of a patient with the rare combination of Berardinelli–Seip congenital lipodystrophy and acromegaly; our patient is a 63-year-old white man, who was referred to an endocrinology consultation for suspected lipodystrophy. He had lipoatrophy of upper and lower limbs, trunk, and buttocks, with muscular prominence, acromegaloid facial appearance, large extremities, and soft tissue tumescence. In addition, he had dyslipidemia and prediabetes. His fat mass ratio (% trunk fat mass/% lower limbs fat mass) was 1.02 by densitometry and he also had hepatomegaly, with mild steatosis (from an abdominal ultrasound), and left ventricular hypertrophy (from an electrocardiogram). His first oral glucose tolerance test had growth hormone nadir of 0.92 ng/mL, and the second test, 10 months afterwards, registered growth hormone nadir of 0.64 ng/mL (growth hormone nadir < 0.3 ng/mL excludes acromegaly). Pituitary magnetic resonance imaging identified an area of hypocaptation of contrast product in relation to a pituitary adenoma and he was subsequently submitted to transsphenoidal surgical resection of the mass. A pathological evaluation showed pituitary adenoma with extensive expression of growth hormone and adrenocorticotropic hormone, as well as a rare expression of follicle-stimulating hormone and prolactin.A genetic study revealed an exon 3/exon 4 deletion of the AGPAT2 gene in homozygosity.ConclusionsCongenital generalized lipodystrophy is a rare disease which occurs with acromegaloid features. As far as we know, we have described the first case of genetic lipodystrophy associated with true acromegaly.Although this is a rare association, the presence of congenital generalized lipodystrophy should not exclude the possibility of simultaneous acromegaly.

Bushen Tiaojing (II and III) Decoctions Activate MAPK14 and MAPK3/1 to Promote the Expression of Cumulus Expansion-Related Factors in Mice.

Background Bushen Tiaojing Decoctions (BSTJ-II-D and BSTJ-III-D) are used to assist pregnancy in clinical practice. In this study, we explored the ability of sequential administration of BSTJ-II-D and BSTJ-III-D to promote cumulus cell (CC) expansion and its underlying mechanisms in controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) mice. Methods Kunming mice were randomly divided into three groups. The normal group was injected intraperitoneally with saline, and distilled water was administered orally by gavage. As the COH model, mice were injected with GnRHa, eCG, and hCG. Subsequently, the BSTJD group received BSTJ-II-D and BSTJ-III-D orally by gavage, while the control group received distilled water. We evaluated CC expansion and oocyte first polar body (PB1) extrusion under a stereomicroscope. Serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were detected by radioimmunoassay. The expression of the CC expansion-related factors PTX3 and PTGS2 was detected by immunofluorescence, western blot, and quantitative real-time-polymerase chain reaction analyses (qRT-PCR). Expression of p-MAPK14, p-MAPK3/1, MAPK14, and MAPK3/1 was detected by western blot analysis. Results Sequential administration of BSTJ-II-D and BSTJ-III-D promoted cumulus expansion and oocyte PB1 extrusion and upregulated PTX3 and PTGS2 expression at the mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, the levels of p-MAPK14/MAPK14, p-MAPK3/1/MAPK3/1 proteins, and serum FSH in the BSTJD group were higher than those in the normal and control groups. Conclusions Sequential administration of BSTJ-II-D and BSTJ-III-D promotes cumulus expansion and oocyte maturation in COH mice by increasing FSH expression and activating the MAPK14 and MAPK3/1 signalling pathways, thereby increasing expression of PTX3 and PTGS2.