Release of norepinephrine from human ovary: coupling to steroidogenic response.
We investigated the possibility that norepinephrine from the human ovary is released after nerve stimulation and that this neurotransmitter is coupled to a steroidogenic response. Biologically significant levels of both norepinephrine and dopamine were found in human ovarian biopsies. [3H]norepinephrine incorporated in vitro was readily released by electrical stimulation in a Ca2+-dependent process. Ovarian membrane preparations exhibited specific binding sites for the beta-adrenergic antagonist [3H]dihydroalprenolol. Displacement of [3H]dihydroalprenolol with zinterol (a specific beta2-agonist) indicated that 72% of these sites were type beta2-receptors. beta-receptors were also present on granulosa cells. Stimulation of granulosa cells with luteinizing hormone or the beta-agonist isoproterenol increased the release of progesterone after 4 d in culture. These results suggest that the sympathetic nerves present in human ovary are coupled to beta-adrenergic receptors present in endocrine cells and, as in nonprimate mammals, appear to participate in the regulation of ovarian function.
Lara
H E
HE
Departamento de Bioquimica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago. hlara@ll.ciq.uchile.cl
Porcile
A
A
Espinoza
J
J
Romero
C
C
Luza
S M
SM
Fuhrer
J
J
Miranda
C
C
Roblero
L
L
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000328:Adult; D001665:Binding Sites; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004082:Dihydroalprenolol / Q000378:metabolism; D004298:Dopamine / Q000032:analysis; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000032:analysis; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000494:pharmacology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D010053:Ovary / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D014316:Tritium
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D004983:Ethanolamines; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D014316:Tritium; D011374:Progesterone; D004082:Dihydroalprenolol; C002904:zinterol; D007545:Isoproterenol; D002118:Calcium; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine; D004837:Epinephrine