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Harris RA, McAllister JM, Strauss JF. Single-Cell RNA-Seq Identifies Pathways and Genes Contributing to the Hyperandrogenemia Associated with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10611. [PMID: 37445796 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder characterized by hyperandrogenemia of ovarian thecal cell origin, resulting in anovulation/oligo-ovulation and infertility. Our previous studies established that ovarian theca cells isolated and propagated from ovaries of normal ovulatory women and women with PCOS have distinctive molecular and cellular signatures that underlie the increased androgen biosynthesis in PCOS. To evaluate differences between gene expression in single-cells from passaged cultures of theca cells from ovaries of normal ovulatory women and women with PCOS, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). Results from these studies revealed differentially expressed pathways and genes involved in the acquisition of cholesterol, the precursor of steroid hormones, and steroidogenesis. Bulk RNA-seq and microarray studies confirmed the theca cell differential gene expression profiles. The expression profiles appear to be directed largely by increased levels or activity of the transcription factors SREBF1, which regulates genes involved in cholesterol acquisition (LDLR, LIPA, NPC1, CYP11A1, FDX1, and FDXR), and GATA6, which regulates expression of genes encoding steroidogenic enzymes (CYP17A1) in concert with other differentially expressed transcription factors (SP1, NR5A2). This study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the hyperandrogenemia associated with PCOS and highlights potential targets for molecular diagnosis and therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Alan Harris
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jan M McAllister
- Department of Pathology, Penn State Hershey College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Jerome F Strauss
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Chen M, Guo X, Zhong Y, Liu Y, Cai B, Wu R, Huang C, Zhou C. AMH inhibits androgen production in human theca cells. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2023; 226:106216. [PMID: 36356855 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2022.106216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Both excessive ovarian production of AMH and androgen are important features of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Present study aimed to explore the direct effect of AMH on androgen production in human theca cells. Primary cultured human theca cells were treated with AMH, an ALK2 (the BMP type 1 receptor) inhibitor and an ALK5 (the TGFβ type 1 receptor) inhibitor. AMH significantly suppresses the expression of the androgen synthesis-related enzyme CYP17A1 and reduces the production of androstenedione and testosterone in normal human theca cells and PCOS theca cells. Inhibitors of ALK2/3 and ALK5 antagonize the effect of AMH on the expression of CYP17A1. Although both ALK5 and ALK2 interact with AMHR2 in the presence of AMH, AMH activated neither TGFβR-Smads (Smad 2/3) nor BMPR-Smads (Smad 1/5/8). Our data suggested that AMH suppresses androgen synthesis-related enzyme CYP17A1 expression and inhibits androgen production in human theca cells, which process may be mediated by ALK2 and ALK5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghui Chen
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Xi Guo
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yiping Zhong
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bing Cai
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rihan Wu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chuan Huang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Canquan Zhou
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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Chugh RM, Park HS, El Andaloussi A, Elsharoud A, Esfandyari S, Ulin M, Bakir L, Aboalsoud A, Ali M, Ashour D, Igboeli P, Ismail N, McAllister J, Al-Hendy A. Mesenchymal stem cell therapy ameliorates metabolic dysfunction and restores fertility in a PCOS mouse model through interleukin-10. Stem Cell Res Ther 2021; 12:388. [PMID: 34233746 PMCID: PMC8261924 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-021-02472-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine and metabolic disorder in reproductive-age women. Excessive inflammation and elevated androgen production from ovarian theca cells are key features of PCOS. Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-hMSC) and their secreted factors (secretome) exhibit robust anti-inflammatory capabilities in various biological systems. We evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of BM-hMSC and its secretome in both in vitro and in vivo PCOS models. METHODS For in vitro experiment, we treated conditioned media from BM-hMSC to androgen-producing H293R cells and analyzed androgen-producing gene expression. For in vivo experiment, BM-hMSC were implanted into letrozole (LTZ)-induced PCOS mouse model. BM-hMSC effect in androgen-producing cells or PCOS model mice was assessed by monitoring cell proliferation (immunohistochemistry), steroidogenic gene expression (quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction [qRT-PCR] and Western blot, animal tissue assay (H&E staining), and fertility by pup delivery. RESULTS BM-hMSC significantly downregulate steroidogenic gene expression, curb inflammation, and restore fertility in treated PCOS animals. The anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) played a key role in mediating the effects of BM-hMSC in our PCOS models. We demonstrated that BM-hMSC treatment was improved in metabolic and reproductive markers in our PCOS model and able to restore fertility. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates for the first time the efficacy of intra-ovarian injection of BM-hMSC or its secretome to treat PCOS-related phenotypes, including both metabolic and reproductive dysfunction. This approach may represent a novel therapeutic option for women with PCOS. Our results suggest that BM-hMSC can reverse PCOS-induced inflammation through IL-10 secretion. BM-hMSC might be a novel and robust therapeutic approach for PCOS treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rishi Man Chugh
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, 820 South Wood Street, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| | - Hang-Soo Park
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Abdeljabar El Andaloussi
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 820 South Wood Street, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Amro Elsharoud
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, 820 South Wood Street, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Sahar Esfandyari
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, 820 South Wood Street, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Mara Ulin
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, 820 South Wood Street, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Lale Bakir
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 820 South Wood Street, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Alshimaa Aboalsoud
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 820 South Wood Street, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
- Department of pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Ali
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, 820 South Wood Street, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Dalia Ashour
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 820 South Wood Street, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Prosper Igboeli
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 820 South Wood Street, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Nahed Ismail
- Department of Pathology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 820 South Wood Street, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Jan McAllister
- Department of Pathology, Penn State Hershey College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Ayman Al-Hendy
- Department of Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago, 820 South Wood Street, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Ave, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 820 South Wood Street, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
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Hensen K, Pook M, Sikut A, Org T, Maimets T, Salumets A, Kurg A. Utilising FGF2, IGF2 and FSH in serum-free protocol for long-term in vitro cultivation of primary human granulosa cells. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2020; 510:110816. [PMID: 32294491 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.110816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Human granulosa cells acquired as leftover from IVF treatment can be used to study infertility problems and are a valuable tool in the research of follicle maturation and ovulation. There is a need for more defined and long-term culture protocols for studying the response of granulosa cells upon treatment with selected hormones/chemicals. In the current study, we tested the effect of adding FGF2, IGF2 and FSH into defined basal medium in order to find culture conditions that would support proliferation of cumulus and mural granulosa cells along with the expression of common granulosa cell type markers such as FSHR, AMHR2, LHR and CYP19A1. We found that FGF2, IGF2 together with FSH helped to retain granulosa cell marker expression while supporting cell survival at least for two weeks of culture. The defined serum-free culture conditions for long-term culturing will be valuable in providing new standards in the research of human granulosa cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kati Hensen
- Chair of Biotechnology, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Riia 23, 51010, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Martin Pook
- Chair of Cell Biology, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Riia 23, 51010, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Anu Sikut
- Women's Clinic of Tartu University Hospital, Estonia, L. Puusepa 8, 51014, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Tõnis Org
- Chair of Biotechnology, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Riia 23, 51010, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Toivo Maimets
- Chair of Cell Biology, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Riia 23, 51010, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Andres Salumets
- The Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Teaduspargi 13, 50411, Tartu, Estonia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, L. Puusepa 8, Tartu, 50406, Estonia
| | - Ants Kurg
- Chair of Biotechnology, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Riia 23, 51010, Tartu, Estonia.
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McAllister JM, Han AX, Modi BP, Teves ME, Mavodza GR, Anderson ZL, Shen T, Christenson LK, Archer KJ, Strauss JF. miRNA Profiling Reveals miRNA-130b-3p Mediates DENND1A Variant 2 Expression and Androgen Biosynthesis. Endocrinology 2019; 160:1964-1981. [PMID: 31184707 PMCID: PMC6656421 DOI: 10.1210/en.2019-00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder of reproductive-age women involving overproduction of ovarian androgens and, in some cases, from the adrenal cortex. Family studies have established that PCOS is a complex heritable disorder with genetic and epigenetic components. Several small, noncoding RNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to be differentially expressed in ovarian cells and follicular fluid and in the circulation of women with PCOS. However, there are no reports of global miRNA expression and target gene analyses in ovarian theca cells isolated from normal cycling women and women with PCOS, which are key to the elucidation of the basis for the hyperandrogenemia characteristic of PCOS. With the use of small RNA deep sequencing (miR-seq), we identified 18 differentially expressed miRNAs in PCOS theca cells; of these, miR-130b-3p was predicted to target one of the PCOS genome-wide association study candidates, differentially expressed in neoplastic vs normal cells domain containing 1A (DENND1A). We previously reported that DENND1A variant 2 (DENND1A.V2), a truncated isoform of DENND1A, is upregulated in PCOS theca cells and mediates augmented androgen biosynthesis in PCOS theca cells. The comparison of miR-130b-3p in normal and PCOS theca cells demonstrated decreased miR-130b-3p expression in PCOS theca cells, which was correlated with increased DENND1A.V2, cytochrome P450 17α-hydroxylase (CYP17A1) mRNA and androgen biosynthesis. miR-130b-3p mimic studies established that increased miR130b-3p is correlated with decreased DENND1A.V2 and CYP17A1 expression. Thus, in addition to genetic factors, post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms via miR-130b-3p underly androgen excess in PCOS. Ingenuity® Pathway Analysis Core Pathway and Network Analyses suggest a network by which miR-130b-3p, DENND1A, the luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor, Ras-related protein 5B, and signaling pathways that they potentially target may mediate hyperandrogenism in PCOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan M McAllister
- Department of Pathology, Pennsylvania State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania
- Correspondence:Jan M. McAllister, PhD, Department of Pathology, Pennsylvania State Hershey College of Medicine, 500 University Drive, H083, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17036. E-mail:
| | - Angela X Han
- Department of Pathology, Pennsylvania State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Bhavi P Modi
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Maria E Teves
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Grace R Mavodza
- Department of Pathology, Pennsylvania State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Zachary L Anderson
- Department of Pathology, Pennsylvania State College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Lane K Christenson
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Kellie J Archer
- Division of Biostatistics, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Jerome F Strauss
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
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Wickenheisser JK, Biegler JM, Nelson-DeGrave VL, Legro RS, Strauss JF, McAllister JM. Cholesterol side-chain cleavage gene expression in theca cells: augmented transcriptional regulation and mRNA stability in polycystic ovary syndrome. PLoS One 2012; 7:e48963. [PMID: 23155436 PMCID: PMC3498373 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0048963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2012] [Accepted: 10/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Hyperandrogenism is characteristic of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Ovarian theca cells isolated from PCOS follicles and maintained in long-term culture produce elevated levels of progestins and androgens compared to normal theca cells. Augmented steroid production in PCOS theca cells is associated with changes in the expression of genes for several steroidogenic enzymes, including CYP11A1, which encodes cytochrome P450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage. Here, we further examined CYP11A1 gene expression, at both the transcriptional and post-transcriptional level in normal and PCOS theca cells propagated in long-term culture utilizing quantitative RT-PCR, functional promoter analyses, and mRNA degradation studies. The minimal element(s) that conferred increased basal and cAMP-dependent CYP11A1 promoter function were determined. CYP11A1 mRNA half-life in normal and PCOS theca cells was compared. Results of these cumulative studies showed that basal and forskolin stimulated steady state CYP11A1 mRNA abundance and CYP11A1 promoter activity were increased in PCOS theca cells. Deletion analysis of the CYP11A1 promoter demonstrated that augmented promoter function in PCOS theca cells results from increased basal regulation conferred by a minimal sequence between -160 and -90 bp of the transcriptional start site. The transcription factor, nuclear factor 1C2, was observed to regulate basal activity of this minimal CYP11A1 element. Examination of mRNA stability in normal and PCOS theca cells demonstrated that CYP11A1 mRNA half-life increased >2-fold, from approximately 9.22+/-1.62 h in normal cells, to 22.38+/-0.92 h in PCOS cells. Forskolin treatment did not prolong CYP11A1 mRNA stability in either normal or PCOS theca cells. The 5'-UTR of CYP11A1 mRNA confers increased basal mRNA stability in PCOS cells. In conclusion, these studies show that elevated steady state CYP11A1 mRNA abundance in PCOS cells results from increased transactivation of the CYP11A1 promoter and increased CYP11A1 mRNA stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica K. Wickenheisser
- Department of Pathology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jessica M. Biegler
- Department of Pathology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Velen L. Nelson-DeGrave
- Department of Pathology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Richard S. Legro
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jerome F. Strauss
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Jan M. McAllister
- Department of Pathology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) protein affects granulosa cell (GC) function but is mostly localized to theca cell (TC) and stromal cell of rat ovaries. The objectives of this study were to determine the 1) effects of FGF9 on TC steroidogenesis, gene expression, and cell proliferation; 2) mechanism of action of FGF9 on TCs; and 3) hormonal control of FGF9 mRNA expression in TCs. Bovine ovaries were collected from a local slaughterhouse and TCs were collected from large (8-22 mm) follicles and treated with various hormones in serum-free medium for 24 or 48 h. FGF9 caused a dose-dependent inhibition (P<0·05) of LH- and LH+IGF1-induced androstenedione and progesterone production. Also, FGF9 inhibited (P<0·05) LH+IGF1-induced expression of LHCGR, CYP11A1, and CYP17A1 mRNA (via real-time RT-PCR) in TCs. FGF9 had no effect (P>0·10) on STAR mRNA abundance. Furthermore, FGF9 inhibited dibutyryl cAMP-induced progesterone and androstenedione production in LH+IGF1-treated TCs. By contrast, FGF9 increased (P<0·05) the number of bovine TCs. Abundance of FGF9 mRNA in GCs and TCs was several-fold greater (P<0·05) in small (1-5 mm) vs large follicles. Tumor necrosis factor α and WNT5A increased (P<0·05) abundance of FGF9 mRNA in TCs. In summary, expression of FGF9 mRNA in TCs is developmentally and hormonally regulated. FGF9 may act as an autocrine regulator of ovarian function in cattle by slowing TC differentiation via inhibiting LH+IGF1 action via decreasing gonadotropin receptors and the cAMP signaling cascade while stimulating proliferation of TCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- N B Schreiber
- Department of Animal Science, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74078, USA
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