title: Long-term hypoxia represses the expression of key genes regulating cortisol biosynthesis in the near-term ovine fetus.
abstract: Basal plasma ACTH(1-39) concentrations are elevated in long-term hypoxic (LTH) fetal sheep. This study was designed to determine whether the expression of genes regulating cortisol biosynthesis was altered after LTH. Pregnant ewes were maintained at high altitude (3,820 m) from day 30 of gestation to near term, when the animals were transported to the laboratory. Reduced PO2 was maintained by nitrogen infusion through a maternal tracheal catheter. On days 137-141, fetal adrenal glands were collected from LTH and normoxic control fetuses. Real-time PCR was used to quantify mRNA for steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, 17alpha-hydroxylase (CYP17), 21-hydroxylase (CYP21), cholesterol side-chain cleavage (CYP11A1), 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type II (HSD3B2), and the ACTH receptor. We analyzed mRNA by slot-blot hybridization and also quantified mRNA for transcription factors necessary for adrenocortical development by quantitative real-time PCR: steroidogenic factor 1 and dosage-sensitive sex reversal, adrenal hypoplasia congenital, critical region on the X chromosome (DAX-1). Protein was quantified by Western blot analysis. Adrenal mRNAs for CYP17, CYP11A1, and the ACTH receptor were significantly reduced in LTH fetal sheep compared with levels shown in controls. Similarly, CYP11A1 protein and CYP17 protein were reduced in the LTH group. CYP21, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, HSD3B2, steroidogenic factor 1, and DAX-1 expressions were not altered in response to LTH. We conclude that expression of two key steroidogenic enzymes (CYP17, CYP11A1) regulating cortisol biosynthesis and the ACTH receptor is lower in response to LTH. This likely represents an adaptive response to LTH, to prevent excessive cortisol production that would restrict fetal growth and potentially induce preterm delivery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, USA.
authors.forename: Dean A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Myers
authors.forename: Kimberly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hyatt
authors.forename: Malgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mlynarczyk
authors.forename: Ian M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Bird
authors.forename: Charles A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Ducsay
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002786:Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme / Q000378:metabolism*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012756:Sheep; D013254:Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase / Q000378:metabolism*; D000098682:Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein
chemical_list: D010750:Phosphoproteins; D000098682:Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein; D013254:Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase; D002786:Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme; D006854:Hydrocortisone