Immunolocalization of androgen receptor and steroidogenic enzymes in cumuli oophori of pre- and post-ovulatory rats.
Immunolocalization of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogense (3β-HSD), cytochrome P450c17 (P450c17) and androgen receptor (AR) were investigated in rat cumuli oophori (COCs) of late pre-ovulatory follicles and in post-ovulatory COCs bearing fertilized oocytes. A gradient of intensity of 3β-HSD immunolabelling was observed in the granulosa layer of pre-ovulatory follicles, with almost negative immunolabelling in COCs and with the strongest immunoreaction in the mural granulosa cells. Post-ovulatory COCs showed strong 3β-HSD immunolabelling in the peripheral regions and weak labelling near the oocyte, suggestive of responsiveness of cumulus cells to an anti-luteinizing effect exerted by the fertilized oocyte. In pre-ovulatory follicles, a weak P450c17 immunopositivity was limited to expanded cumulus granulosa cells and the positive labelling persisted in post-ovulatory COCs. P450c17 immunopositivity was also found in ampullary epithelial cells. A strong AR immunopositivity was confined mainly to the COCs in pre-ovulatory follicles and a similar immunoreaction was present in the granulosa cells of ovulated COCs. Simultaneous AR and cytochrome P450c17 immunolabelling in the pre- and post-ovulatory COCs is suggestive of an intra- and paracrine androgen regulation of the cumulus granulosa cell function.
Department of Endocrinology and Tissue Culture, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland. msol@zuk.iz.uj.edu.pl
Maria
M
Szołtys
Maria
M
Słomczyńska
Katarzyna
K
Knapczyk-Stwora
Małgorzata
M
Durlej
Agnieszka
A
Lechowska
Agnieszka
A
Starowicz
D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism; D010060:Ovulation / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D013254:Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism
D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D013254:Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase