Theca Interna Cells Of Follicles Research Articles

Superoxide dismutase in normal cycling human ovaries: immunohistochemical localization and characterization

Objective: To investigate the expression of manganese (Mn) and copper-zinc (Cu,Zn) superoxide dismutase (SOD) in normal cycling human ovaries throughout the menstrual cycle. Design: Descriptive, controlled study. Setting: Tohoku University School of Medicine. Patient(s): Twenty-four normal cycling human ovaries were obtained from patients who underwent oophorectomy and hysterectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Intervention(s): Immunohistochemistry for Mn-SOD and Cu,Zn-SOD. Main Outcome Measure(s): Immunostaining. Result(s): In the follicular stage, Mn-SOD immunoreactivity was detected in granulosa and theca interna cells of steroid-producing follicles, that is, preantral, nondominant, dominant, and atretic follicles, whereas Cu,Zn-SOD was detected in theca interna cells of these follicles and in granulosa cells of dominant follicles. In the luteal stage, immunoreactivity for Mn-SOD and Cu,Zn-SOD was observed in both luteinized granulosa and theca cells of the functioning corpus luteum. In the early degenerating corpus luteum, both Mn-SOD and Cu,Zn-SOD were positive in steroid-producing luteinized theca cells. Mn-SOD immunoreactivity was also detected in nonsteroid-producing luteinized granulosa cells and macrophages. Conclusion(s): Our results suggest that the expression of Mn-SOD and Cu,Zn-SOD closely correlates with steroidogenesis in the human ovary. In addition, Mn-SOD may play an important role in the process of luteal regression.

Expression of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone and Luteinizing Hormone Receptor Messenger Ribonucleic Acids in Bovine Follicles during the First Follicular Wave1

The objective of the present study was to characterize expression of mRNAs encoding FSH and LH receptors during follicular development and at different stages of the first follicular wave in cattle. Following estrus, groups of heifers (3-5 per group) were ovariectomized on the day of initiation of the first follicular wave (as determined by ultrasonography; Day 0), or on Days 2, 4, 6, 8, or 10 after initiation of the first wave. FSH and LH receptor mRNAs were detected within follicles > or = 4 mm and in some smaller follicles by in situ hybridization and were quantified by image analysis. FSH receptor mRNA was expressed in granulosa cells of all growing follicles, starting in some follicles with only one layer of granulosa cells. Irrespective of day of the follicular wave, the level of expression of FSH receptor mRNA in granulosa cells of healthy antral follicles ranging from 0.5 to 14 mm in diameter did not vary significantly with follicular size (r = 0.02, p > 0.10). Expression of LH receptor mRNA was first observed in theca interna cells of follicles shortly after antral formation. Irrespective of day of the follicular wave, the levels of LH receptor mRNA in theca interna cells of healthy antral follicles ranging from 0.5 to 14 mm increased with follicular size (r = 0.39, p < 0.01). In granulosa cells, LH receptor mRNA was expressed only in healthy follicles > 9 mm in diameter and was first observed in the dominant follicles collected on Day 4. Expression of mRNA for LH receptor, but not for FSH receptor, changed (p < 0.01) with the stage of the first follicular wave.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

FOLLICULAR GROWTH DURING THE NORMAL CYCLE AND AFTER TREATMENT WITH PROGESTAGENS IN THE EWE

Follicular development in the ewe was studied during the normal estrous cycle and during and after treatment for 13 days with 6alpha-methyl-17alpha-acetoxy-progesterone (MAP). Estradiol-17beta concentrations in the liquor folliculi were also studied. During the estrous cycle growth waves were observed from Days 1 to 10 and from Days 6 to 17. Estradiol concentrations were low through Day 14 and reached maximum values on Day 16. The presence of 3beta- and 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta HSD 17beta HSD) activities in the theca interna cells of follicles from Days 1 to 16 may explain the variations in the synthesis of estrogen. The administration of MPA prolonged follicular life. 3beta-HSD activity which was not observed in the membrane granulosa of follicles was detectable for at least 6 days in the membrane granulosa after treatment. MAP did not inhibit the growth of new follicles and only slightly inhibited follicular steroid synthesis. Rapid new follicular growth was evident after termination of MAP treatment. Some of these net follicles showed 3beta-HSD activity in the membrane granulosa and 17beta-HSD activity in the membrane granulosa and 17beta-HSD activity in the theca interna. This indicates that ovarian secretion of estrogens can occur in the 1st estrous cycle a fter discontinuation of treatment with progestogens. It is hypothesized that subfertility in the 1st estrus after treatment with progestagens may be due to insufficient suppression of follicular growth and steroid synthesis in the ovaries during treatment.