Angiotensin-(1-7), its receptor Mas, and the angiotensin-converting enzyme type 2 are expressed in the human ovary.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether angiotensin (Ang)-(1-7), its receptor Mas, and angiotensin-converting enzyme type 2 (ACE2) are present in human ovary.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Academic hospital.


METHODS
Twelve reproductive-age women and five postmenopausal women undergoing oophorectomy for nonovarian diseases and seven women having controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF.


METHODS
Ovarian tissue was obtained from the reproductive-age women and postmenopausal women undergoing oophorectomy for nonovarian diseases. Follicular fluid (FF) samples were obtained from the women having controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF.


METHODS
Localization of Ang-(1-7) and Mas by immunohistochemistry; measurement of Ang-(1-7) in ovarian FF by RIA; detection of messenger RNAs encoding Mas and ACE2 with use of real-time polymerase chain reaction; assessment of 125I-labeled Ang-(1-7) binding to ovarian sections with use of autoradiographic binding assay.


RESULTS
Angiotensin-(1-7) and the receptor Mas were localized to primordial, primary, secondary, and antral follicles, stroma, and corpora lutea of reproductive-age ovaries. Postmenopausal women expressed both the peptide and its receptor in the ovarian stroma. Angiotensin-(1-7) was detectable in FF (mean±SE: 191±54 pg/mL). Both Mas and ACE2 messenger RNAs were expressed in ovarian tissue, as revealed by real-time polymerase chain reaction, and ovarian binding sites for 125I-labeled Ang-(1-7) were identified by autoradiography.


CONCLUSIONS
Angiotensin-(1-7), its receptor Mas, and ACE2 are expressed in the human ovary. The peptide is present in several ovarian compartments and can be quantified in FF.
Reis
Fernando M
FM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospitaldas Clínicas, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. reis@medicina.ufmg.br
Bouissou
Daniela R
DR
Pereira
Virginia M
VM
Camargos
Aroldo F
AF
dos Reis
Adelina M
AM
Santos
Robson A
RA
D000328:Adult; D000803:Angiotensin I / Q000378:metabolism*; D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000378:metabolism; D000085962:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2; D001345:Autoradiography; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D008875:Middle Aged; D010053:Ovary / Q000502:physiology*; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000378:metabolism*; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D017698:Postmenopause / Q000502:physiology; D017697:Premenopause / Q000502:physiology; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D000804:Angiotensin II; D000803:Angiotensin I; D007703:Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; C000705307:ACE2 protein, human; D000085962:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2; C118790:angiotensin I (1-7)