title: Lipopolysaccharide in ovarian follicular fluid influences the steroid production in large follicles of dairy cows.
abstract: In postpartum dairy cows, various inflammatory diseases depress reproductive performance. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from infections of the uterus or mammary gland with Gram-negative bacteria was shown to suppress steroid production in the granulosa cells of follicles in vitro. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between LPS in ovarian follicular fluid and steroidogenesis by the theca and granulosa cells of the large follicles in vivo. Bovine ovaries were collected from a slaughterhouse, and the largest (F1) and the second largest (F2) follicles were used (>8 mm in diameter, n=38). LPS concentration in the follicular fluid was measured using quantitative kinetic assay. Follicular steroidogenesis was evaluated by measuring the estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) concentration in follicular fluid and by analysing transcription levels of steroidogenesis-related genes in theca and granulosa cells. LPS concentration detected in follicular fluid ranged from 0.2 to 2.0 EU/mL. In follicles with a high level of LPS (>0.5 EU/mL, n=15), the concentration of E2 was lower and that of P4 was higher when compared to those in follicles with a low level of LPS (<0.5 EU/mL, n=23), which was observed both in F1 and F2 follicles. Furthermore, in follicles with a high level of LPS, transcripts of steroidogenic enzymes such as CYP17 and P450arom were lower. In those follicles, the expression of caspase-3 was high, suggesting an association with follicular atresia. These findings indicate that LPS present in follicular fluid may cause ovarian dysfunction by inhibiting follicular activity.
authors: Graduate School of Animal and Food Hygiene, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, 0808555 Obihiro, Japan.
authors: Fumie
authors: F
authors: Magata
authors: Graduate School of Animal and Food Hygiene, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, 0808555 Obihiro, Japan.
authors: Maya
authors: M
authors: Horiuchi
authors: Graduate School of Animal and Food Hygiene, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, 0808555 Obihiro, Japan.
authors: Riku
authors: R
authors: Echizenya
authors: Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, 0808555 Obihiro, Japan.
authors: Ryotaro
authors: R
authors: Miura
authors: Department of Basic Veterinary Science, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, 0808555 Obihiro, Japan.
authors: Shiori
authors: S
authors: Chiba
authors: Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, 0808555 Obihiro, Japan.
authors: Motozumi
authors: M
authors: Matsui
authors: Graduate School of Animal and Food Hygiene, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, 0808555 Obihiro, Japan.
authors: Akio
authors: A
authors: Miyamoto
authors: Department of Basic Veterinary Science, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, 0808555 Obihiro, Japan.
authors: Yoshiyasu
authors: Y
authors: Kobayashi
authors: Graduate School of Animal and Food Hygiene, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, 0808555 Obihiro, Japan. Electronic address: shimizut@obihiro.ac.jp.
authors: Takashi
authors: T
authors: Shimizu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001141:Aromatase / Q000235:genetics; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000032:analysis; D002417:Cattle; D004958:Estradiol / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005260:Female; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000032:analysis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013254:Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D001141:Aromatase; D013254:Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase; D053148:Caspase 3
keywords: Dairy cows; Follicle atresia; Follicles; Lipopolysaccharide; Steroidogenesis