title: Influence of cortisol on insulin- and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)-induced steroid production and on IGF-1 receptors in cultured bovine granulosa cells and thecal cells.
abstract: During stress, hyperactivity of the adrenal gland can directly and indirectly inhibit ovarian function. However, little evidence existed to support the notion that glucocorticoids could influence insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) action within the ovary. Therefore, the effect of cortisol on IGF-1-induced granulosa and thecal cell function was evaluated. Granulosa and thecal cells from bovine ovarian follicles were cultured for 2 d in the presence of 10% fetal calf serum and then cultured for an additional 2 d in serum-free medium with added hormones. Cortisol had little or no effect (p > 0.05) on IGF-1-induced progesterone production by granulosa cells from both small (1-5 mm) or large (> or =8 mm) follicles. Also, cortisol had little or no effect (p > 0.05) on basal, insulin-, or IGF-1-induced estradiol production by granulosa cells from small or large follicles, or on the number of IGF-1 receptors in granulosa cells from small follicles. Cortisol had no effect (p > 0.10) on insulin-induced granulosa cell numbers, but increased IGF-1-induced granulosa cell numbers. In thecal cells, doses of 1-100 ng/mL of cortisol increased (p< 0.05) insulin- and IGF-1-induced thecal cell numbers by 10-20%, progesterone production by 18-36%, and androstenedione production by two- to fourfold. The estimated dose of cortisol necessary to stimulate 50% of the maximum androstenedione production in the presence of IGF-1 was 7 ng/mL. In contrast, cortisol decreased (p < 0.05) the number of IGF-1 receptors in thecal cells by 45%. In conclusion, cortisol at physiological levels can directly influence ovarian follicular function in cattle, especially thecal androstenedione production.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater 74078, USA. IGFLEO@okway.okstate.edu
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Spicer
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Chamberlain
mesh_terms: D000735:Androstenedione / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000818:Animals; D001141:Aromatase / Q000378:metabolism; D002417:Cattle; D002452:Cell Count; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D017526:Receptor, IGF Type 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D013256:Steroids / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013799:Theca Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; D013256:Steroids; D000735:Androstenedione; D011374:Progesterone; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D001141:Aromatase; D017526:Receptor, IGF Type 1; D006854:Hydrocortisone