title: Downregulation of natriuretic peptide system and increased steroidogenesis in rat polycystic ovary.
abstract: Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is known to regulate ovarian functions, such as follicular growth and steroid hormone production. The aim of the present study was to investigate the natriuretic peptide system in a rat model of chronic anovulation, the rat polycystic ovary. Adult female Wistar rats received a single subcutaneous injection of 2mg estradiol valerate to induce polycystic ovaries, while the control group received vehicle injection. Two months later, their ovaries were quickly removed and analyzed. Polycystic ovaries exhibited marked elevation of testosterone and estradiol levels compared to control ovaries. The levels of ANP and the expression of ANP mRNA were highly reduced in the polycystic ovaries compared to controls. By immunohistochemistry, polycystic ovaries showed weaker ANP staining in stroma, theca cells and oocytes compared to controls. Polycystic ovaries also had increased activity of neutral endopeptidase, the main proteolytic enzyme that degrades natriuretic peptides. ANP receptor C mRNA was reduced and ANP binding to this receptor was absent in polycystic ovaries. Collectively, these results indicate a downregulation of the natriuretic peptide system in rat polycystic ovary, an established experimental model of anovulation with high ovarian testosterone and estradiol levels. Together with previous evidence demonstrating that ANP inhibits ovarian steroidogenesis, these findings suggest that low ovarian ANP levels may contribute to the abnormal steroid hormone balance in polycystic ovaries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Virginia M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Kinulpe
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Honorato-Sampaio
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Almir S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Human Reproduction, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernando M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Reis
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. Electronic address: adelina.reis@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Adelina M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Reis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015536:Down-Regulation; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013739:Testosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor
keywords: Atrial natriuretic peptide; Ovary; Polycystic ovaries; Steroidogenesis