Dynamic changes in inhibin messenger RNAs in rat ovarian follicles during the reproductive cycle.
The alterations in morphology and function of the ovarian follicle as it matures, ovulates, and becomes a corpus luteum are dramatic. A variety of steroid and polypeptide hormones influence these processes, and the ovary in turn produces specific hormonal signals for endocrine regulation. One such signal is inhibin, a heterodimeric protein that suppresses the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone from pituitary gonadotrophs. Rat inhibin complementary DNA probes have been used to examine the levels and distribution of inhibin alpha-and beta A-subunit messenger RNAs in the ovaries of cycling animals. Striking, dynamic changes have been found in inhibin messenger RNA accumulation during the developmental maturation of the ovarian follicle.
D000818:Animals; D004971:Estrus; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D007265:Inhibins / Q000235:genetics*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000502:physiology*; D010053:Ovary / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats
D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D007265:Inhibins; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone