An improved method for primary culture of ovarian androgen-producing cells in serum-free medium: effect of lipoproteins, insulin, and insulinlike growth factor-I

Engineering Functional Rat Ovarian Spheroids Using Granulosa and Theca Cells

Although menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is the most effective approach to managing the loss of ovarian activity, serious side effects have been reported. Cell-based therapy is a promising alternative for MHT. This study constructed engineered ovarian cell spheroids and investigated their endocrine function. Theca and granulosa cells were isolated from ovaries of 10-week-old rats. Two types of engineered ovarian cell spheroids were fabricated through forced aggregation in microwells, multilayered spheroids with centralized granulosa aggregates surrounded by an outer layer of theca cells and mixed ovarian spheroids lacking spatial rearrangement. The ovarian cell spheroids were encapsulated into a collagen gel. Non-aggregated ovarian cells served as controls. The endocrine function of the engineered ovarian spheroids was assessed over 30 days. The structure of the spheroids was well maintained during culture. The secretion of 17β-estradiol from both types of engineered ovarian cell spheroids was higher than in the control group and increased continuously in a time-dependent manner. Secretion of 17β-estradiol in the multi-layered ovarian cell spheroids was higher than in the non-layered constructs. Increased secretion of progesterone was detected in the multi-layered ovarian cell spheroids at day 5 of culture and was sustained during the culture period. The initial secretion level of progesterone in the non-layered ovarian cell spheroids was similar to those from the controls and increased significantly from days 21 to 30. An in vitro rat model of engineered ovarian cell spheroids was developed that was capable of secreting sex steroid hormones, indicating that the hormone secreting function of ovaries can be recapitulated ex vivo and potentially adapted for MHT.

A role for nuclear factor interleukin-3 (NFIL3), a critical transcriptional repressor, in down-regulation of periovulatory gene expression

The LH surge triggers dramatic transcriptional changes in genes associated with ovulation and luteinization. The present study investigated the spatiotemporal expression of nuclear factor IL-3 (NFIL3), a transcriptional regulator of the basic leucine zipper transcription factor superfamily, and its potential role in the ovary during the periovulatory period. Immature female rats were injected with pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin, treated with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and ovaries or granulosa cells were collected at various times after hCG. Nfil3 mRNA was highly induced both in intact ovaries and granulosa cells after hCG treatment. In situ hybridization demonstrated that Nfil3 mRNA was highly induced in theca-interstitial cells at 4-8 h after hCG, localized to granulosa cells at 12 h, and decreased at 24 h. Overexpression of NFIL3 in granulosa cells inhibited the induction of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (Ptgs2), progesterone receptor (Pgr), epiregulin (Ereg), and amphiregulin (Areg) and down-regulated levels of prostaglandin E2. The inhibitory effect on Ptgs2 induction was reversed by NFIL3 small interfering RNA treatment. In theca-interstitial cells the expression of hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase 15-(nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) (Hpgd) was also inhibited by NFIL3 overexpression. Data from luciferase assays demonstrated that NFIL3 overexpression decreased the induction of the Ptgs2 and Areg promoter activity. EMSA and chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses indicated that NFIL3 binds to the promoter region containing the DNA-binding sites of cAMP response element binding protein and CCAAT enhancer binding protein-β. In summary, hCG induction of NFIL3 expression may modulate the process of ovulation and theca-interstitial and granulosa cell differentiation by regulating expression of PTGS2, PGR, AREG, EREG, and HPGD, potentially through interactions with cAMP response element binding protein and CCAAT enhancer binding protein-β on their target gene promoters.

Antioxidants induce apoptosis of rat ovarian theca-interstitial cells

Regulation of growth of ovarian theca-interstitial tissues is essential for normal ovarian development and function. Reactive oxygen species are involved in modulation of signal transduction pathways, including regulation of tissue growth and apoptosis. Previously, we have demonstrated that antioxidants inhibit proliferation of theca-interstitial cells. This report evaluates the effects of antioxidants on apoptosis of rat theca-interstitial cells. The cells were cultured in chemically defined media without or with vitamin E succinate and ebselen. Apoptosis was evaluated by cytochemical assessment of nuclear morphology, activity of executioner caspases 3 and 7, and determination of staining with annexin V in combination with propidium iodide. Both tested antioxidants induced significant morphological changes consistent with apoptosis, including chromatin condensation, nuclear shrinkage, and pyknosis. Antioxidants also induced other hallmarks of apoptosis including increased activity of caspases 3/7 as well as increased staining with annexin V. The present findings demonstrate that antioxidants with distinctly different mechanisms of action induce a series of events consistent with the process of apoptosis in ovarian mesenchyme. These observations may be of translational-clinical relevance, providing mechanistic support for the use of antioxidants in the treatment of PCOS, a condition associated with excessive growth and activity of theca-interstitial cells.

Steroidogenic capacity of residual ovarian tissue in 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide-treated mice

Menopause is an important public health issue because of its association with a number of disorders. Androgens produced by residual ovarian tissue after menopause could impact the development of these disorders. It has been unclear, however, whether the postmenopausal ovary retains steroidogenic capacity. Thus, an ovary-intact mouse model for menopause that uses the occupational chemical 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD) was used to characterize the expression of steroidogenic genes in residual ovarian tissue of follicle-depleted mice. Female B6C3F1 mice (age, 28 days) were dosed daily for 20 days with either vehicle or VCD (160 mg kg(-1) day(-1)) to induce ovarian failure. Ovaries were collected on Day 181 and analyzed for mRNA and protein. Acyclic aged mice were used as controls for natural ovarian senescence. Relative to cycling controls, expression of mRNA encoding steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (Star); cholesterol side-chain cleavage (Cyp11a1); 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (Hsd3b); 17alpha-hydroxylase (Cyp17a1); scavenger receptor class B, type 1 (Scarb1); low-density lipoprotein receptor (Ldlr); and luteinizing hormone receptor (Lhcgr) was enriched in VCD-treated ovaries. In acyclic aged ovaries, mRNA expression for only Cyp17a1 and Lhcgr was greater than that in controls. Compared to cycling controls, ovaries from VCD-treated and aged mice had similar levels of HSD3B, CYP17A1, and LHCGR protein. The pattern of protein immunofluorescence staining for HSD3B in follicle-depleted (VCD-treated) ovaries was homogeneous, whereas that for CYP17A1 was only seen in residual interstitial cells. Circulating levels of FSH and LH were increased, and androstenedione levels were detectable following follicle depletion in VCD-treated mice. These findings support the idea that residual ovarian tissue in VCD-treated mice retains androgenic capacity.

Estrogen regulation of the scavenger receptor class B gene: Anti-atherogenic or steroidogenic, is there a priority?

High density lipoprotein (HDL) participates in reverse cholesterol transport and in the delivery of cholesterol to the liver and steroidogenic tissues by a mechanism called "selective lipid uptake" which is mediated by the HDL receptor, scavenger receptor B type I (SR-BI). Overexpression of SR-BI suppresses atherosclerosis by increasing reverse cholesterol transport. In contrast, genetic ablation of SR-BI has a negative effect on cardiovascular physiology in both males and females and a gender specific negative impact on female fertility. Cholesterol is essential for mammalian embryonic development as a necessary component of cell membranes and as a substrate for steroidogenesis. The SR-BI receptor is highly expressed in the human placenta allowing the growing fetus to obtain a considerable portion of cholesterol from maternal lipoproteins. Estrogen, which plays an important role in maintaining pregnancy, has been shown to enhance plasma HDL levels and promote reverse cholesterol transport. Since SR-BI is the major determinant of serum HDL levels, direct regulation of the SR-BI gene by estrogen is theorized. The objective of this manuscript is to summarize the current information related to estrogen regulation of the gene that codes for the SR-BI receptor.

Insulin Stimulates Proliferation but Not 17β-Estradiol Production in Cultured Chick Embryo Ovarian Cells

The development of the chick embryo gonads is influenced by gonadotropins [follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)]. We have previously shown that insulin enhanced the production of androgens in the testis of the newly hatched chicken and increased the proliferation of chick embryo testis cells. In the present paper, we have studied the effect of insulin on embryonic chick embryo ovarian cells and compared them with those of human FSH and hCG. The ovaries of 18-d-old chick embryos were dissociated and cultured for different periods in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium in the presence and absence of insulin, human FSH, hCG, and combinations of them. 3H-thymidine incorporation was used as an indicator of cell proliferation; steroids were measured by radioimmunoassay. Results showed that insulin enhanced the proliferation of ovarian cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Gonadotropins did not affect significantly the ovarian cell proliferation. Insulin did not change 17beta-estradiol production. The combination of insulin and FSH or insulin and hCG decreased the stimulation of estrogen secretion caused by the addition of the gonadotropins. In some experiments, ovarian cells were cultured with or without insulin, and subpopulations were identified. The results showed that insulin but not human FSH or hCG increased the proliferation of germinal cells after 60 h in culture. Insulin and human FSH did stimulate the other 2 subpopulations. In summary, present results suggest that insulin is an important hormone in the development of the chick embryo ovary.

Regulation of Matrix Metalloproteinase-19 Messenger RNA Expression in the Rat Ovary1

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are instrumental in the constant tissue remodeling in the ovary. An induction of MMP-19 mRNA in periovulatory follicles has been reported in mouse ovaries. However, little is known about MMP-19 expression during the follicular and luteal periods or about the ovarian regulation of MMP-19 mRNA expression. We examined the expression pattern of MMP-19 mRNA during various reproductive phases and the periovulatory regulation of MMP-19 mRNA in the rat ovary. In gonadotropin-primed, immature rat ovaries, levels of MMP-19 mRNA transiently increased during both follicular growth and ovulation. The MMP-19 mRNA was localized to the theca-interstitial layer of growing follicles and to the granulosa and theca-interstitial layers of periovulatory follicles. A similar expression pattern of MMP-19 mRNA in periovulatory follicles was observed in ovaries from naturally cycling adult rats. Accumulation of MMP-19 mRNA was detected in regressing corpus luteum. The regulation of MMP-19 mRNA expression during the periovulatory period was investigated via in vivo studies and through in vitro culture studies on follicular cells. The hCG-induction of MMP-19 mRNA was mimicked by treating granulosa cells, but not theca-interstitial cells, from preovulatory follicles with LH or activators of the protein kinase (PK) A or PKC pathways. Cycloheximide blocked the LH- or forskolin-induced MMP-19 mRNA expression, demonstrating the requirement for new protein synthesis. In contrast, blocking activation of the progesterone receptor or prostaglandin synthesis had no effect on the increase in MMP-19 mRNA expression. In conclusion, the induction of MMP-19 mRNA suggests an important role of this proteinase during follicular growth, ovulation, and luteal regression.

Lipoprotein enhancement of ovarian theca-interstitial cell steroidogenesis: relative contribution of scavenger receptor class B (type I) and adenosine 5'-triphosphate- binding cassette (type A1) transporter in high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol transport and androgen synthesis

The theca-interstitial cells take up plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL)- and low-density-lipoprotein-derived cholesterol to convert into steroid hormones. The uptake of HDL-derived cholesterol is mediated by the scavenger receptor, class B, type I (SR-BI). In nonsteroidogenic cells, HDL-stimulated efflux of cholesterol has been shown to be mediated by the ATP-binding cassette A1 (ABCA1) transporter. Its expression has not been documented in steroidogenic cells. The goal of the present study was to determine: 1) the role of SR-BI in theca-interstitial cell androgen production; 2) whether theca-interstitial cells express ABCA1 transporter mRNA; and 3) the relative roles of SR-BI and ABCA1 transporter in androgen production. The ABCA1 transporter mRNA expression in rat theca-interstitial cells was shown using RT-PCR and Northern blot analyses. The role of SR-BI and ABCA1 in androstenedione production was also examined by treating cells with anti-SR-BI and 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin in the presence and absence of human chorionic gonadotropin and/or human HDL(3). The treatment of theca-interstitial cells with anti-SR-BI antibody blocked more than 90% of HDL plus human chorionic gonadotropin-stimulated androstenedione production, and selective HDL-CE uptake. On the other hand, the use of inhibitors of ABCA1 transporter function had no discernible effect on HDL-supported androgen production. These data demonstrate that, although theca-interstitial cells express both SR-BI and ABCA1 transporter mRNA, the SR-BI pathway supplies the majority of the cholesterol required for androgen production. Furthermore, the present study presents evidence for a crucial role for SR-BI in HDL-mediated androgen production.

Ovarian stanniocalcin is structurally unique in mammals and its production and release are regulated through the luteinizing hormone receptor

Stanniocalcin (STC) is a recently discovered mammalian hormone that is widely distributed in many tissues. In rodents the STC gene is most highly expressed in ovary, specifically in androgen-producing thecal and interstitial cells. In addition, ovarian levels of expression rise 15-fold over pregnancy. The objective of this study was to develop a primary culture system for ovarian thecal-interstitial cells (TICs) to identify factors governing STC production and release. We used highly purified primary cultures of rat and bovine TICs, the purity of which was routinely assessed with antigenic and enzymatic markers. The functionality of cells was assured by their responsiveness to LH in the form of progesterone release. We found that forskolin significantly increased STC gene expression and secretion by both rat and bovine TICs, an effect that was only replicated by human (h) chorionic gonadotropin (CG). Coincubation of TICs with hCG and phosphodiesterase inhibitors further increased STC secretion, whereas coincubation of TICs with hCG and protein kinase A inhibitors attenuated hCG-stimulated release. Intriguingly, ovarian STC proved to be substantially larger than the 50-kDa homodimer produced in most other tissues. These results indicate that ovarian STC is physically distinct, a feature that could explain its presence in serum during pregnancy and lactation.

Scavenger receptor class BI and selective cholesteryl ester uptake: partners in the regulation of steroidogenesis

The steroidogenic tissues have a special requirement for cholesterol, which is used as a substrate for steroid hormone biosynthesis. In many species this cholesterol is obtained from plasma lipoproteins by a unique pathway in which circulating lipoproteins bind to the surface of the steroidogenic cells and contribute their cholesteryl esters to the cells by a 'selective' process in which the whole lipoprotein particle does not enter the cell. This review describes the lipoprotein selective cholesteryl ester uptake process and its specific partnership with the HDL receptor, scavenger receptor class BI (SR-BI). It describes the characteristics of the selective pathway, and the molecular properties, localization, regulation, anchoring sites and potential mechanisms of action of SR-BI in facilitating cholesteryl ester uptake by steroidogenic cells.

Proliferation and differentiation of rat theca-interstitial cells: comparison of effects induced by platelet-derived growth factor and insulin-like growth factor-I

This study was designed to evaluate mechanisms regulating proliferation of steroidogenically active and steroidogenically inactive theca-interstitial (T-I) cells, and, specifically, to evaluate the effects of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). T-I cells obtained from immature Sprague-Dawley rats were cultured in chemically defined media. Proliferation was assayed by thymidine incorporation and cell counting. Steroidogenically active cells were identified by the presence of 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity. Flow cytometry facilitated separation of dividing cells (in S and G2/M phases of the cell cycle) from nondividing cells (in G0 and G1 phases of the cell cycle). PDGF alone (0.1-1 nM) produced a dose-dependent increase in DNA synthesis by up to 136%. IGF-I alone (10 nM) increased DNA synthesis by 56%. In the presence of both IGF-I (10 nM) and PDGF (0.1-1 nM), DNA synthesis increased by 108-214%. PDGF (1 nM) increased the total number of T-I cells by 43%; this effect was due to an increase in the number of steroidogenically inactive cells (47%). In contrast, the stimulatory effect of IGF-I (10 nM) was predominantly due to an increase in the number of steroidogenically active cells (163%). Separation of dividing cells from nondividing cells was accomplished with the aid of flow cytometry. In the absence of growth factors, the proportion of steroidogenically active cells was 35% lower among proliferating than resting cells. PDGF (1 nM) decreased the proportion of steroidogenically active cells among both proliferating and resting cells (by 43% and 16%, respectively). In contrast, IGF-I (10 nM) increased the proportion of steroidogenically active cells among proliferating cells by 56%. These findings indicate that differentiated/steroidogenically active cells divide; furthermore, PDGF and IGF-I may selectively stimulate proliferation of individual subpopulations of T-I cells, thereby providing a mechanism for development of structural and steroidogenically active components of the T-I compartment.

In vitro culture of hamster ovarian primary interstitial cells: effect of serum

The function of ovarian interstitial cells has been largely addressed using rat theca-interstitial cell culture. However, this preparation is primarily enriched with theca and secondary interstitial cells, which make it difficult to address selectively the function of the primary interstitial cells. We have developed an in vitro culture of hamster ovarian primary interstitial cells. Cells were isolated from postnatal hamster ovaries by collagenase digestion and purified over a Percoll gradient. The preparation contained 90% viable, pure interstitial cells, which anchored to the plastic and glass culture surface in the presence of fetal bovine serum. Cell proliferation was noted in the presence of serum dosages higher than 0.2%; however, reduction of serum concentration to 0.1% or complete serum starvation did not affect cell viability but almost completely abolished cell proliferation as determined by [3H]thymidine incorporation, labeling index, and DNA content of the culture. All cells exhibited active 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and P450 side chain cleavage immunoreactivity, which corresponded to basal progesterone and androstenedione accumulation. Replacement of serum to starving cells resulted in the induction of the "S" phase and "M" phase specific cyclins, and resumption of cell proliferation. Our results indicate that hamster primary interstitial cells can be cultured in vitro as a monolayer, and the anchorage and proliferation of these cells depend on serum supplement; however, a viable monolayer can be maintained for several days without serum. This model will be useful for addressing the mechanisms of differentiation of ovarian interstitial cells.

Insulin and insulin-like growth factor I stimulate the proliferation of human ovarian theca-interstitial cells

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether insulin and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) affect the proliferation of human theca-interstitial cells.

DESIGN

In vitro assays.

SETTING

University laboratory.

PATIENT(S)

Premenopausal women undergoing oophorectomy for benign conditions.

INTERVENTION(S)

Purified theca-interstitial cells were cultured in chemically defined media with or without insulin and IGF-I.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

The proliferation of cells was evaluated by determination of [3H] thymidine incorporation and cell counting.

RESULT(S)

Insulin and IGF-I stimulated DNA synthesis by theca-interstitial cells in a dose-dependent fashion. Insulin-like growth factor I had a greater potency than did insulin. The effects of both approached, but did not reach, the level of DNA synthesis observed in cultures exposed to 10% fetal bovine serum. Direct counting of theca-interstitial cells revealed that IGF-I significantly increased the total number of cells (36% above control), whereas insulin induced a modest and statistically nonsignificant increase in the cell number (14% above control).

CONCLUSION(S)

The present results support the hypothesis that insulin and IGF-I promote the mitotic activity of theca-interstitial cells. These effects may represent mechanisms that lead to hyperplasia of the thecal/stromal compartment in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Interleukin-1 beta inhibits progesterone accumulation in rat corpora luteal cell cultures in a mechanism dissociated from its effects on nitric oxide and prostaglandin E accumulation

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1) on progesterone (P) biosynthesis and the potential intermediary involvement of prostaglandin (PG) E and nitric oxide (NO) in P accumulation in PMSG/hCG-primed rat corpora luteal (CL) cell cultures. Exposure of primed CL cells to IL-1 (10 ng/ml) for 48 h resulted in a 65-86% reduction (P < 0.01) in P accumulation concurrent with a 2-3.4-fold increase in PGE content, a 70% increase in PGF2 alpha content and a 1.9-3.3-fold increase in nitrite generation. These effects were abolished by the IL-1 receptor antagonist, suggesting specific IL-1 receptor-mediated effects. Indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, abolished PGE and PGF2 alpha production and attenuated the basal (but not IL-1-stimulated) accumulation of P. N(G)-Nitro-L-arginine (NNLA), a competitive inhibitor of nitrite synthesis, slightly reduced basal P accumulation but had no effect on IL-1-induced suppression of P accumulation. NNLA reduced basal PGE accumulation and IL-1-stimulated PGE accumulation (55 and 61%, respectively). Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1; 10 ng/ml) significantly attenuated the IL-1-stimulated PGE and NO production (61 and 42%, respectively), but did not affect the ability of IL-1 to suppress P accumulation. Thus, NO, PGF2 alpha and PGE are not obligatory intermediaries of IL-1-mediated suppression of P accumulation in rat CL, but are involved in basal P biosynthesis and NO seems to have a regulatory role in the biosynthesis of PGE. The present observations suggest a pleiotropic response of PMSG/hCG-primed CL cells to IL-1, characterized by an independent suppression of P accumulation and a concomitant increase in NO, PGF2 alpha and PGE generation. Since IL-1 attenuates P accumulation, these findings may imply a direct autocrine/paracrine function for IL-1 in the maintenance or the demise of rat CL.

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) stimulates the IGF binding protein system in rat theca interstitial cells

There has been considerable interest in rat ovarian insulin-like growth factor binding proteins IGFBPs because they are potent inhibitors of FSH action.In situ, IGFBP-2 and -4 and IGFBP-3 mRNAs are expressed in rat theca interstitial (TIC) and theca lutein cells respectively. Although much is known about IGFBPs in rat TIC at the mRNA level, the synthesis and regulation of IGFBP proteins remain poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to identify the species of IGFBPs produced by TIC and to determine the effects of LH and IGF-1 on their expression. This was accomplished by culturing rat TIC for 2 days in serum-free medium with graded doses of LH and/or IGF-I, and measuring IGFBP mRNAs in the cells and IGFBP proteins in the conditioned media by RT-PCR and Western immunoblotting respectively. The RT PCR analysis identified strong bands for IGFBP-2 and -4 mRNAs in TIC. In some treatments, the mRNAs for IGFBP-3 and -6 were also identified, but transcripts for IGFBP-1 and -5 were undetectable. Two species of IGFBPs were detected in the conditioned media of control (untreated) TIC, the 31 kDa IGFBP-2 and the 24 kDa (non-glycosylated) and 28 kDa (glycosylated) forms of IGFBP-4. There was no detectable IGFBP-5 and barely detectable amounts of IGFBP-3 and -6 in the conditioned media. Treatment with LH (0.2-20 μU/ml) caused no significant changes in the levels of the 31 kDa IGFBP-2 and the 24 kDa and 28 kDa IGFBP-4 bands, and there was no detectable IGFBP protease activity. In contrast, IGF-I (100 ng/ml) stimulated the expression of IGFBP-2, IGFBP-4 and a 17.5 kDa IGFBP-4 fragment. The immunoreactive IGFBP-4 fragment suggests the media contained an IGFBP-4 protease. The IGF-I effects were dose dependent (ED(50)=12.4±3.3 ng/ml). Co-treating TIC with LH (0.2-20 μU/ml) caused no significant change in the activity of IGF-I in stimulating the expression of IGFBP-2, IGFBP-4 and IGFBP-4 protease. We have demonstrated that IGF-I acts directly on rat TIC to stimulate the expression of the intrinsic IGFBP system. LH, either alone or together with IGF-I, did not significantly change the expression of TIC IGFBP proteins. Therefore, we hypothesize that IGF-I, but not LH, may be a physiologically important regulator of the IGFBP system in rat TIC. Because IGF-I is a potent stimulator of theca function, changes in the expression of this intrinsic IGFBP system could have new implications for ovarian androgen production, both at the physiologic and pathophysiologic levels.

Characterization of a rat anterior pituitary cell bioassay

We have described the protocols and characterization of a pituicyte culture, which became established as a reliable and reproducible bioassay for the secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The bioassay was used to measure the bioactivity of factors that inhibit and stimulate gonadotrophin secretion. The protocol that was used involved the culling of female Wistar rats (200 to 250 g weight), at random stages of their cycle, and dispersal of their pituicytes in a concentration of 0.4 x 10(6) cells.ml-1.well-1 in serum-free medium (Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium/Ham's F12 mixture, supplemented with insulin and transferrin) in Falcon 3047 24-well culture plates. After 24 h of pre-culture, the medium was changed and the cells cultured for a further 48 h. The supernatant was removed and assayed for basal secretion of FSH and LH. The cells were then stimulated with 10(-8) M GnRH for 4 h and the supernatant assayed for gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-stimulated FSH and LH secretion. All samples were assayed as pairs of duplicates (i.e. quadruplicate samples) which were randomly added to the plates to minimize plate effects. Random number tables were used to achieve this randomization.

Effect of insulin-like growth factor-I on cholesterol side-chain cleavage cytochrome P450 messenger ribonucleic acid expression in ovarian theca-interstitial cells stimulated to differentiate in vitro

Currently available evidence supports the hypothesis that insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) may play a role in stimulating ovarian theca-interstitial cell (TIC) differentiation in preantral follicles. The purpose of the present studies was to examine the potential role of IGF-I in TIC differentiation by determining the effects of IGF-I on cholesterol side-chain cleavage cytochrome P450 (P450SCC) mRNA expression in TIC stimulated to differentiate in vitro. TIC were isolated from the ovaries of hypophysectomized immature rats by Percoll gradient centrifugation and cultured in the presence and absence of LH and IGF-I up to 6 days. At various times cytoplasmic RNA was extracted from the TIC and P450SCC mRNA was measured by specific assay using reverse transcription followed by the polymerase chain reaction. Increasing concentrations of LH (0-1 microgram/ml) stimulated a dose-related increase in P450SCC mRNA (ED50 = 36.2 +/- 5.5 ng/ml) which reached maximal levels at 100 ng/ml of LH. Addition of IGF-I (30 ng/ml) caused a small increase in P450SCC mRNA over TIC treated with LH alone but did not alter the ED50 for LH stimulation. IGF-I alone also stimulated an increase in P450SCC mRNA which reached approximately 3-fold over unstimulated levels at 100 ng/ml. In the presence of LH, IGF-I stimulated a dose-related increase in P450SCC mRNA (ED50 = 1.2 +/- 0.05 ng/ml). Time-course studies revealed that expression of P450SCC mRNA was greatest at 2 days in TIC treated with IGF-I alone, LH alone or LH plus IGF-I and then declined at 4 and 6 days.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Insulin-like growth factor-I enhances luteinizing hormone binding to rat ovarian theca-interstitial cells

We tested the hypothesis that insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) stimulates ovarian androgen production by increasing theca-interstitial cell luteinizing hormone (LH) binding affinity and/or binding capacity. We then investigated the role of transcriptional and translational events in mediating these actions of IGF-I. LH bound to saturable, high affinity binding sites on rat ovarian theca-interstitial cells. Preincubation with LH produced a decrease in LH binding capacity with no effect on LH binding affinity. Treatment with IGF-I, both in the absence and presence of LH, increased LH binding capacity 1.5- to 2-fold with no change in LH binding affinity. Androgen production was increased progressively by LH, suggesting that LH-stimulated steroidogenesis is not tightly coupled to LH receptor downregulation. IGF-I increased androgen synthesis in proportion to its upregulation of LH binding capacity. Transcriptional inhibition with dichlorobenzimidazole riboside inhibited the IGF-I-mediated increase in LH binding capacity but had no effect on androgen production. Translational inhibition with cycloheximide inhibited both the IGF-I-mediated increase in LH binding and stimulation of androgen synthesis. We conclude that IGF-I increases theca-interstitial cell LH binding capacity and reverses the LH-induced downregulation of LH binding sites. The enhancement of LH binding by IGF-I is compatible with transcriptional mediation whereas the effect of IGF-I on androgen synthesis appears to be mediated by a direct effect of the peptide on the translational process(es) involved in steroidogenesis.

Determination of insulin and insulin-like growth factors in the ovarian circulation

Recent in vitro studies implicate the ovary as an extra-hepatic source of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) with production regulated by gonadotropins and local steroids. Because previous studies have failed to show any significant variations in IGF levels in peripheral blood during the menstrual cycle, we measured the concentrations of IGF-I, IGF-II, and insulin in ovarian and peripheral venous blood samples obtained simultaneously from nine women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy to obtain more detailed data on the ovarian contribution. A significant decreased ovarian gradient was found for IGF-II but not for IGF-I or insulin. Although there was no significant ovarian vein insulin gradient, insulin levels were higher in follicular than in luteal phase ovarian samples. These data suggest that IGF-II may be locally regulated by the ovary. Both insulin and IGFs may regulate ovarian function in vivo.