• 대한수의학회지
• /
• 제39권1호
• /
• pp.27-33
• /
• 1999

In the mammalian ovary, follicular development and atresia continuously occur during the reproductive cycles. Follicular atresia occurs through granulosa cell apoptosis. Apoptosis is known as the physiological cell death, which is regulated by bcl-2 gene family. In the bcl-2 gene family, bcl-2 and bcl-xLong are known as inhibitors of apoptosis, whereas bax and bcl-xShort are known as inducer of apoptosis. We thought that bcl-2 protein is associated with follicular development and atresia. But it is not known that the distribution of cells containing bcl-2 protein during follicular development and atresia. Therefore, to examine the distribution of cells with bcl-2 protein during ovarian follicular development and atresia, the immunohistochemistry was used in the rat ovary. Bcl-2 immunoreactivity was localized in the interstitial cells, theca externa cells and granulosa cells around of antrum. All positive signals were observed in the cytoplasm of these cells. Positive signals were strongly observed in the interstitial and theca externa cells of growing antral follicles. While, positive signals were weakly observed in these cells from atretic antral follicles. Positive signals were very weakly observed in the granulosa cells of growing and atretic antral follicles. According to these data, we suggested that bcl-2 proteins which were strongly expressed in the interstitial cells and theca externa cells of growing antral follicles inhibit follicular atresia. And we purposed that bcl-2 proteins regulated follicular development and atresia through the action of bcl-2 gene family.

• 대한수의학회지
• /
• 제35권2호
• /
• pp.217-228
• /
• 1995

The study was designed to investigate the effects of progesterone on the reproductive system. This investigation was performed by immunohistochemical methods using anti-bromodeoxyuridine-antibody following bromodeoxyuridine(Brdur) injection for labeling proliferating cells in the uterus and ovary of rats. Sixteen female rats(Wistar), weighing initially 300g, were randomly allotted into ovariectomized and unovariectomized large groups. These two large groups were subdivided into three subgroups of control, 3-day and 6-day groups, respectively. 3-days and 6-days group were injected with 1mg of progesterone/rat/day for 3 or 6 days, respectively. In gross findings, the uterus of ovariectomized groups markedly atrophied, and were not hypertrophied by progesterone injection for 3 days or 6 days and the uterus of unovariectomized groups also were not hypertrophied. Labeling index(LI, %) was measured by counting the number of Brdur-positive cells from 300 to 3,000 cells per layer in the uterus tissue. The average LI of the uterus in unovariectomized groups was higher than that of ovariectomized groups. The subgroups with higher LI in unovariectomized groups were ordered as 6-day group, 3-day group. So progesterone considerably effected to the proliferating of the cells in the uterus of unovariectomized groups. The layers with higher LI in the uterus wall were ordered as the functional zone of endometrium, epithelial layer of endometrium, basal zone of endometrium, myometrium and perimetrium. The cell types with higher LI in the uterus of unovariectomized groups were ordered as the surface epithelial cells, stromal cells, glandular epithelial cells and muscle cells. Growing follicles with proliferating cells from secondary and tertiary follicles in the ovary of unovariectomized groups appeared to be 37.66% in control group, 39.23% in 3-day groups, 39.47% in 6-day groups. Mature follicles in the ovary were more number in control group than those in 3-day groups but not appeared in 6-day groups. So progesterone not nearly effects to the number of the growing follicles but appeared to be related to suppression of the development and protrusion of the mid-tertiary and mature follicles on the ovary surface. The cell types with higher LI in the ovary of unovariectomized groups were respectively ordered as granulosa cells, theca interns cells in secondary follicles; theca interna cells, granulosa cells, theca externa cells in tertiary follicles; fibroblasts, theca in terns cells in atretic follicles; fibroblasts, luteal cells in corpus luteum.

• 한국동물학회지
• /
• 제38권4호
• /
• pp.523-530
• /
• 1995

돼지의 난소 조직내에 존재하는 심방이뇨 호르몬 수용체 분포를 알아 보기 위하여 자가방사법을 통해 125I로 표지한 rANP(1-28)의 특이적 결합 부위를 관찰하였다. 난소 조직 중 125I-rANP(1-28)의 강한 결합 부위는 난포의 과립막 세포층이었으며, 외난포막층에서도 125I-rANP(1-28)의 결합 부위가 관찰되었다. 그러나 내난포막층을 포함한 난소내의 다른 조직과 특히 황체에서는 125I-rANP(1-28)의 결합 부위가 나타나지 않았다. 난포의 과립막 세포층과 외난포막층에서의 이러한 125I-rANP(1-28)의 결합은 다량의 rANP(1-28)에 의하여 완전히 전위되었지만, 펩티드 호르몬인 angiotensin II 및 arginine vasopressin에 의해서는 과량의 농도에서도 전위되지 않아 125I-rANP(1-28)의 결합이 특이적임을 확인하였다. 또한 이러한 특이적 결하은 심방이뇨 호르몬의 생물학적 수용체 외에, 다른 기능을 담당하는 clearance 수용체의 특이적 ligand인 C-ANF에 의해서도 전이되었다. 이상의 결과는 돼지의 난소에 있어서 난포의 과립막 세포층 및 외난포막에 심방이뇨 호르몬의 생물학적 또는 coearance 수용체가 존재함을 보여주며, 이는 심방이뇨 호르몬의 수용체가 난자의 성숙에 관련된 난포의 발달과정에 관여할 수 있음을 시사한다.

• Animal cells and systems
• /
• 제5권1호
• /
• pp.45-50
• /
• 2001

Rana ovarian follicles consist of oocyte, vitelline envelope, granulosa cells, and theca/epithelial layer. Using scanning electron microscopy, the surface structure of each follicular component was investigated. Changes in oocyte surface during oocyte maturation were also examined. Theca/epithelial layer was almost transparent and some blood vessels and granulosa cells were observed underneath in intact follicle. The number of granulosa cells was estimated to be 6700-7200 per oocyte. The granulosa cells partially overlapped each other and their microvilli penetrated the vitelline membrane via holes present in the vitelline envelope and seemed to be linked to oocyte microvilli. After removal of the vitelline envelope by microforcep, oocyte microvilli were observed on the surface of the devitellined oocyte. The oocyte microvilli formed partial clusters on the surface of white spot area which appears iust before germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), whereas they were evenly distributed in other areas. The microvilli became shorter and less dense with oocyte maturation. The lengths of oocyte microvilli in the immature and mature oocyte were 1.5 $\mu$m and 0.6 $\mu$m, respectively. The present study suggests a fundamental structural change occurring on the oocyte surface during maturation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• 제29권4호
• /
• pp.487-499
• /
• 2016

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of testosterone (T) and estradiol-$17{\beta}$ ($E_2$) on the production of progesterone ($P_4$) by granulosa cells, and of the $E_2$ on the production of $P_4$ and T by theca internal cells. In the first experiment, granulosa cells isolated from the largest ($F_1$) and third largest ($F_3$) preovulatory follicle were incubated for 4 h in short-term culture system, $P_4$ production by granulosa cells of both $F_1$ and $F_3$ was increased in a dose-dependent manner by ovine luteinizing hormone (oLH), but not T or $E_2$. In the second experiment, $F_1$ and $F_3$ granulosa cells cultured for 48 h in the developed monolayer culture system were recultured for an additional 48 h with increasing doses of various physiological active substances existing in the ovary, including T and $E_2$. Basal $P_4$ production for 48 h during 48 to 96 h of the cultured was about nine fold greater by $F_1$ granulosa cells than by $F_3$ granulosa cells. In substances examined oLH, chicken vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (cVIP) and T, but not $E_2$, stimulated in a dose-dependent manner $P_4$ production in both $F_1$ and $F_3$ granulosa cells. In addition, when the time course of $P_4$ production by $F_1$ granulosa cells in response to oLH, cVIP, T and $E_2$ was examined for 48 h during 48 to 96 h of culture, although $E_2$ had no effect on $P_4$ production by granulosa cells of $F_1$ during the period from 48 to 96 h of culture, $P_4$ production with oLH was found to be increased at 4 h of the culture, with a maximal 9.14 fold level at 6 h. By contrast, $P_4$ production with cVIP and T increased significantly (p<0.05) from 8 and 12 h of the culture, respectively, with maximal 6.50 fold response at 12 h and 6, 48 fold responses at 36 h. Furthermore, when $F_1$ granulosa cells were precultured with $E_2$ for various times before 4 h culture with oLH at 96 h of culture, the increase in $P_4$ production in response to oLH with a dose-related manner was only found at a pretreatment time of more than 12 h. In the third experiment, theca internal cells of $F_1$, $F_2$ and the largest third to fifth preovulatory follicles ($F_{3-5}$) were incubated for 4 h in short-term culture system with increasing doses of $E_2$. The production of $P_4$ and T by theca internal cells were increased with the addition of $E_2$ of $10^{-6}M$. These increases were greater in smaller follicles. These results indicate that, in granulosa cells of the hen, T may have a direct stimulatory action in the long term on $P_4$ production, and on $E_2$ in long-term action which may enhance the sensitivity to LH for $P_4$ production, and thus, in theca internal cells, $E_2$ in short term action may stimulate the production of $P_4$ and T.

• 한국가축번식학회지
• /
• 제19권4호
• /
• pp.307-322
• /
• 1996

The corpus luteum (CL) is formed by the action of a surge of luteinizing hormone (LH) on the pre-ovulatory follicle. Luteal cells derived from granulosa and theca interna cells continue to secrete progesterone for about two weeks. LH in domestic animals is essential for the normal secretion of progesterone at all stages of the luteal phase. For this process in the rodents, 20$\alpha$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20$\alpha$-HSD) is indispensable. 20$\alpha$-HSD is an enzyme to be a biologically inactive steroid. This enzyme plays a critical role in the regulation of the rat luteal function and reported to be present in steroid-producing tissues such as the testis and adrenal gland. We have purified 20$\alpha$-HSD and found two distinct 20$\alpha$-HSD molecules (HSD-1 and HSD-2). Their molecular weights are both estimated to be 33kd.The amino acid compositions of HSD-1 and HSD-2 are mostly similar, but there is a slight difference in the content of lysine. We demonstrated that 1) CL of previous generations contribute more to whole ovarian 20$\alpha$-HSD activity, 2) newly formed corpora lutea contain only 20$\alpha$-HSD-1 activity, and 3) old CL express activities of each HSD isozyme as shown in the luteal tissue of cycling rats on the day of diestrus where only degenerating old CL exist. The increase in 20$\alpha$-HSD activity identified seems to be related to the increase in the numbers of 20$\alpha$-HSD-positive cells. Interestingly, 20$\alpha$-HSD-1 activities were strongly found in the follicle fluids and theca interna cells by immunohistochemical study. Thus, the activity of 20$\alpha$-HSD may be related to a survival mechanism of those luteal cells and follicles remaining in the ovaries. Luteal cells arise from two sources. The small luteal cells are all of theca cell origin, while the large luteal cells are mainly of granulosa cell origin. CL of Korean Native Cattle, as those of other animal species, contains two morphologycally and functionally distinct luteal cell populations, such as small and large luteal cells as well as nonluteal cells. In all reproductive states except in the late luteal phase, the bovine CL also contained more small luteal cells than large luteal cells. Luteal tissue secretes a variety of growth factors (proteins) and the pattern of secretion changes during all stages of the luteal phase. These growth factors could be important in regulating the function of the bovine corpus luteum and may act in a potential endocrine autocrine and paracrine mechanisms. Therefore, further work has to be done to elucidate the role of growth factors in the ovary, especially in the corpus luterum. Interest should be focussed on interaction of these growth factors in the regulation of luteal cell and the localization of cytokine synthesis in differnet luteal cells.

• 한국동물번식학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 한국동물번식학회 2001년도 춘계학술발표대회
• /
• pp.30-30
• /
• 2001

The culture of preantral follicles has important biotechnological implications through its potential to produce the large quantity of oocytes for embryo production, transgenesis research, conservation of rare breed, and a potential source of ovarian genetic material. The present study was conducted to establish the optimal conditions of in vitro culture for intact bovine preantral follicles; and to examine the developmental ability of oocytes derived from the in vitro-grown preantral follicles; and to investigate the effects of various concentrations of FSH and LH on these processes. Bovine preantral follicles (150 $\pm$ 1.2${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$), surrounded by theca cell, were isolated enzymetically and mechanically from ovarian cortical slides in Leibovitz L-15 medium containing 1 mg/$m\ell$ collagens and 0.2 mg/$m\ell$ DNase I and cultured for 25 days in the presence of different concentrations of bovine FSH and LH in $\alpha$MEM medium with insulin, transferrin, and selenite. The survival was tested by frypan Blue and Hematoxylin. The survival and growth rates of follicles were higher in FSH treatment groups than these in control (P<0.001), but there were no significant differences between the LH treatment groups and the control. In 25 days, the survival and growth rates of follicles in FSH and LH treatment group (50%, 300$\pm$1.0${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$) were higher than in FSH treatment group (40%, 244$\pm$0.5${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$) and the control group (25%, 160$\pm$ 1.0${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$). Fifty-five percent of healthy antral follicles were obtained, and 60% of the oocytes complete meiotic maturation to the metaphase II stage. Twenty-two percent of the mature oocytes underwent cleavage, and 9% developed to the blastocyst stage. In this study, in vitro-grown oocytes (111 $\pm$ $1.5mutextrm{m}$), under our culture conditions, were not equivalent in size to the in vivo-grown oocytes (130$\pm$1.3${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$). Therefore, these results suggest that bovine preantral follicles with intact theca cell can grow to the antral stage in 25days, and that oocytes from those follicles can acquire the meiotic competence and normally undergo fertilization and development to the blastocyst stage. However, the developmental capacity of in vitro-grown oocytes is presumably not comparable to those of the in vivo counterparts.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• 제12권5호
• /
• pp.695-701
• /
• 1999

The hypothalamus is the classic site of synthesis of arginine vasotocin as neurohypophyseal hormone in the chicken. However, high concentrations of arginine vasotocin were also measured in ovarian tissues by radioimmunoassay. At first, we observed specific positive signal of mRNA encoding AVT in the hypothalamus by Northern hybridization. However, we could not find any specific bands in ovarian and uterine tissues. For evidence of transcription of the arginine vasotocin gene ingonadal tissues of the chicken, this study has applied the polymerase chain reaction as a highly sensitive assay. The hypothalamus, the four largest preovulatory ovarian follicles and the shell gland (uterus) were collected at 4 h and 20 h before oviposition. The ovarian follicular tissues were separated into granulose theca interns and theca externa layers. The uterine tissues were separated into myometrium and endometrium The extracted mRNA was converted to cDNA by reverse-transcriptase using oligo-$d(T)_{15}$ primer. Then, the cDNA was amplified by Vent polymerase and arginine vasotocin specific primers. The amplification reaction was incubated by 30 cycles successively, $95^{\circ}C$, $55^{\circ}C$ and $72^{\circ}C$ earth for 1 min. Te comparisons of the mRNA levels encoding arginine vasotocin between the tissues were determined by semi-quantification methods. After amplification of the cDNA, the PCR products were detected in hypothalamus, ovarian tissues and uterine tissues. The results of semi-quantification showed that the levels of arginine vasotocin mRNA in ovarian iud uterine tissues were about from 1/50 to 1/1000 when compared to that in the hypothalamus. The very low levels of mRNA encoding arginine vasotocin in ovarian and uterine tissues probably led us to conclude that arginine vasotocin may play a role of local mediate acting autocrine and/or paracrine.

• 한국환경성돌연변이발암원학회지
• /
• 제11권2호
• /
• pp.148-160
• /
• 1991

인체의 여리 조직을 대상으로하여 면연조직화학전방법을 통하여 glutathione transferase isoenzyme의 분포를 비교 분석하였다. 상피조직중의 GST-Pi의 다랑분포가 확인되었으며, 특히 외인성 화학물질에 노출되기 쉬운 피부, 유두, 신도 등의 과립층과 췌장, 담도, 타액선, 신세뇨관등의 배설관의 상피 또는 난소의 theca와 granulosa, 고환의 Leydig세포, 부신피 질의 zona reticularis 등의 steroid 생합성이 왕성한 부위에서 높은 GST-Pi 분포가 관찰되었다. 면역조직화학적 분석과 병행하여 Western blot 분석을 시행해본 결과 이러한 GST-Pi 분포가 인체유래 유각상피세포 중에서도 확인되었다. 그러나 K-ras 암유전자로 형질전환하여 암화능을 갖춘 인체상피세포주의 GST-Pi 발현은 유의한 차이를 보이지 않았다. 뿐만아니라 타액중에서도 GST-Pi가 다량 존재함이 Western blot 분석에 의하여 구명되었다. 이러한 결과는 GST-Pi가 인체조직 중 외인성독성물질에 노출되는 부위, 내인성 steroid 합성부위 및 배설능을 갖는 부위의 상피조직에 주로 존재하고 있음을 보여주고 있으며, 이러한 GST-Pi의 조직분포는 동효소가 인체의 해독기능에 주요한 역할을 하고 있음을 시사해주고 있다.

• 한국수산과학회지
• /
• 제28권4호
• /
• pp.469-474
• /
• 1995

[ $3\beta-$ ]히드록시-$\Delta^5$-스테로이드 탈수소효소 ($3\betaβ-HSD,$ $3\beta-hydroxy-\Delta^5-steroid\;dehydrogenase$ $\Delta^5$-스테로이드$\rightarrow\Delta^4$-스테로이드로의 대사경로에 관여하는 효소)에 대하여 특이적 저해제인 cyanoketone과 trilostane의 저해 효과가 $^3H-pregnenolone$ 전구체를 이용하여 무지개송어 난소에서 분리한 여포층, 협막층(theca layers)을 대상으로 비교 관찰되었다. Pregnenolone으로부터 $17\alpha-hydroxyprogesterone$으로의 대사과정에서 주요 효소인 $(3\beta-HSD$ 활성은cyanoketone $10^{-6}$과 $10^{-5}\;M$, 그리고 trilostane $10^{-5}$과 $10^{-4}\;M$의 농도에서 억제되었으며, trilostane이 cyanoketone보다 더 효과적인 억제반응을 보이는 것으로 나타났다. Pregnenolone으로부터 $\Delta^4$-스테로이드 대사물 축적에 대한 trilostane의 저해작용은 사용한 농도 즉, $10^{-8}, 10^{-7}, 10^{-6}$ 그리고 $10^{-5}\;M$에 비례하여 나타났으나 완전한 저해효과는 보이지 않았다.