title: Ovarian steroidogenesis in vitro during the first month posthatching in the domestic chick: gonadotropin responsiveness and [3H]progesterone metabolism.
abstract: Ovarian steroidogenesis was examined in domestic chicks during the first month posthatching. In vitro production of androstenedione during a 4-hr incubation was enhanced in a dose-dependent manner by 0.1-100 ng/ml of chicken LH (cLH). The greatest response was observed in ovaries from Day 1 chicks (eightfold), but cLH was also effective in Day 7, 14, 21, and 28 ovaries (three- to sixfold increase). Estrogen production in response to cLH was increased significantly only in Day 1 and 7 ovaries. A similar trend in androstenedione and estrogen production was seen in response to 8-bromo cAMP, oLH, and oFSH. In an additional experiment, in vitro metabolism of [3H]progesterone by ovaries from Day 1, 7, 14, and 21 chicks was examined during a 4-hr incubation. The major metabolite, comprising 18-19% of the radioactivity, coeluted with 5 beta-pregnan-3,20-dione. This is the first report of gonadotropin-stimulated steroidogenesis and progesterone metabolism in the chick during the first month post-hatching. The results show that the responsiveness to gonadotropins decreases during this period and the profile of [3H]progesterone metabolism does not resemble that seen in adult granulosa and theca cells.
mesh_terms: D015124:8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate / Q000494:pharmacology; D000367:Age Factors; D000735:Androstenedione / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens; D004967:Estrogens / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D013256:Steroids / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens; D013256:Steroids; D015124:8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate; D000735:Androstenedione; D011374:Progesterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone