Recombinant human growth hormone acts on intermediate-sized follicles and rescues growing follicles from atresia

Autocrine/paracrine proliferative effect of ovarian GH and IGF-I in chicken granulosa cell cultures

It is known that growth hormone (GH) and its receptor (GHR) are expressed in granulosa cells (GC) and thecal cells during the follicular development in the hen ovary, which suggests GH is involved in autocrine/paracrine actions in the female reproductive system. In this work, we show that the knockdown of local ovarian GH with a specific cGH siRNA in GC cultures significantly decreased both cGH mRNA expression and GH secretion to the media, and also reduced their proliferative rate. Thus, we analyzed the effect of ovarian GH and recombinant chicken GH (rcGH) on the proliferation of pre-hierarchical GCs in primary cultures. Incubation of GCs with either rcGH or conditioned media, containing predominantly a 15-kDa GH isoform, showed that both significantly increased proliferation as determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) quantification and ((3)H)-thymidine incorporation ((3)H-T) assays in a dose response fashion. Both, locally produced GH and rcGH also induced the phosphorylation of Erk1/2 in GC cultures. Furthermore, GH increased IGF-I synthesis and its release into the GC culture incubation media. These results suggest that GH may act through local IGF-I to induce GC proliferation, since IGF-I immunoneutralization completely abolished the GH-induced proliferative effect. These data suggest that GH and IGF-I may play a role as autocrine/paracrine regulators during the follicular development in the hen ovary at the pre-hierarchical stage.

Expression and localization of growth hormone and its receptors in the chicken ovary during sexual maturation

Roles of pituitary growth hormone (GH) in female reproduction are well established. Autocrine and/or paracrine actions of GH in the mammalian ovary have additionally been proposed, although whether the ovary is an extra-pituitary site of GH expression in the laying hen is uncertain. This possibility has therefore been assessed in the ovaries of Hy-Line hens before (between 10-16 weeks of age) and after (week 17) the onset of egg laying. Reverse transcription/polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis has consistently detected a full-length (690 bp) pituitary GH cDNA in ovarian stroma from 10 weeks of age, although GH expression is far lower than that in the pituitary gland or hypothalamus. GH mRNA is also present in small (>1-4 mm diameter) follicles after their ontogenetic appearance at 14 weeks of age and in all other developing follicles after 16 weeks of age (>4-30 mm diameter). Immunoreactivity for GH is similarly present in the ovarian stroma from 10 weeks of age and in small (<4 mm diameter) and large (>4-30 mm) follicles from 14 and 16 weeks of age, respectively. The relative intensity of GH staining in the ovarian follicles is consistently greater in the granulosa cells than in the thecal cells and is comparable with that in the follicular epithelium. A 321-bp fragment of GH receptor (GHR) cDNA, coding for the intracellular domain of the receptor, has also been detected by RT-PCR in the ovary and is present in stromal tissue by 10 weeks of age, in small follicles (<4 mm diameter) by 14 weeks of age, and in larger follicles (>4-30 mm diameter) from 16 weeks. GHR immunoreactivity has similarly been detected, like GH, in the developing ovary and in all follicles and is more intense in granulosa cells than in the theca interna or externa. The expression and location of the GH gene therefore parallels that of the GHR gene during ovarian development in the laying hen, as does the appearance of GH and GHR immunoreactivity. These results support the possibility that GH has autocrine and/or paracrine actions in ovarian function prior to and after the onset of lay in hens.

Growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF) induced growth hormone advances puberty in female buffaloes

Exogenous bovine growth hormone-releasing factor (bGRF) at the dose rate of 10 microg/100 kg body weight was administered intravenously (i.v.) to six Murrah buffalo heifers as treatment group, while another six buffalo heifers served as control group which received the vehicle (0.9% NaCl solution) at an interval of 15 days for a period of 9 months to study the effect of bGRF on puberty onset associated with temporal hormonal changes in peri-pubertal buffalo heifers. Blood samples were collected at 3-day interval from all the animals during the experimental period and plasma harvested was assayed for growth hormonal (GH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and progesterone. The day that plasma progesterone was greater than 1.0 ng/ml for three consecutive sampling days was defined as the day of puberty. Exogenous bGRF administration increased (P = 0.02) plasma GH concentration in treatment group over control group during the treatment of bGRF as well as during the peri-pubertal period. Plasma progesterone concentrations increased transiently earlier (P = 0.05) by 58.5 days in bGRF-treated buffaloes than that in the control group. However, plasma LH concentrations were unaffected by the treatment of bGRF (P = 0.48). Both plasma GH and LH in the buffalo heifers increased (P < 0.01) over time preceding puberty and the higher hormonal concentrations were maintained during the onset of puberty, and thereafter, the concentrations of both the hormones declined (P < 0.05) after puberty. GH and LH were positively correlated both before puberty (r = +0.59 and +0.63; P < 0.05 for control and treatment group, respectively) and after puberty (r = +0.42 and +0.46; P < 0.05 for control and treatment group, respectively) indicating the interaction and/or close relationship of GH and LH in the mechanism of puberty in buffalo species.

IGF-1 in gynaecology and obstetrics: update 2002

Recent discoveries on endocrine, paracrine and autocrine involvement of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in the proliferation of many tissues raised the attention of its role in reproduction and in the growth of various cancers as well as of benign proliferations. The intention of this article is to focus on IGF-1 in the field of gynaecology. Perimenopausal women who exhibit high IGF-1 and low IGF binding protein (IGFBP) levels, like IGFBG-3, have an increased risk of developing breast cancer. A higher risk for cervical, ovarian and endometrial cancer is related to high IGF-1 levels in post- and premenopausal women. It has been shown that myomas, by far the most common benign uterine tumor in women, grow in the presence of IGF-1, in vitro as well as in vivo. Studies show that IGF-1 is involved in the differentiation of various reproductive tissues, like endometrium and ovarian tissues. Patients suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO) frequently show insulin resistance accompanied by an increase of IGF-1 in plasma. Plasma IGF-1 levels are higher in cases of severe endometriosis, however, in endometriosis and in PCO IGF levels locally in the endometrium are reduced, what might explain infertility. Recently, it was shown that IGF facilitates the implantation of the human embryo in the endometrium during IVF. Implantation is a paradox where different immune systems have to collaborate to make implantation and survival of the pregnancy possible. IGF seems to be the starter molecule so that the two epithelia can fuse. A disturbance can result in complications during pregnancy i.e. spontaneous miscarriage, preeclampsia as well as defects of the embryo. Therefore, IGF is a useful marker in successful pregnancy as well. A better mechanistic understanding of IGF-1 action on the cellular level not only provides more elegant mechanistic explanations for the scientist, but the practitioner might find it interesting to utilize its diagnostic potential as a marker for various diseases. The relation between systemic IGF levels and local tissue IGF-1 levels has not yet been determined for all conditions.

Growth hormone cells as co-gonadotropes: partners in the regulation of the reproductive system

Through unique receptors, growth hormone (GH) stimulates ovarian follicles and Leydig cells, working alone or synergistically with luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). The source of GH might include a unique cell type that expresses mRNA encoding gonadotropin and GH and the antigens themselves, together with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) receptors. This multifunctional cell might provide a cocktail of hormones needed to effect optimal gonadotropic activity.

Differential expression of growth hormone messenger ribonucleic acid by somatotropes and gonadotropes in male and cycling female rats

Past studies have reported the appearance of cells sharing phenotypic characteristics of gonadotropes and GH cells. During diestrus and early proestrus, a subset of somatotropes (40-60%) expressed both GH antigens and gonadotropin (LH-beta, LHbeta, or FSH-beta) messenger RNAs (mRNAs) or GnRH receptors. More recently, we reported that subsets of gonadotropes identified by LHbeta or FSHbeta antigens expressed GH- releasing hormone (GHRH) binding sites. The present studies were designed to learn if these putative multipotential cells also expressed GH mRNA. Biotinylated sense and antisense oligonucleotide probes were developed and cytochemical in situ hybridization tests were optimized for the detection of GH mRNA with GH, LHbeta, and FSHbeta antigens. RNase protection assays were developed with a complementary RNA probe that detected a 380-bp region at the 5' end of the GH mRNA. Both the in situ hybridization and RNase protection assays detected changes in expression of GH mRNA during the estrous cycle with the lowest expression occurring during metestrus and peak expression occurring on the morning of proestrus. Cell counts confirmed the results of the RNase protection assays showing that increases in mRNA levels seen from metestrus to proestrus reflected increased percentages of GH mRNA-bearing cells. In addition, densitometric analyses demonstrated that the higher GH mRNA levels assayed from diestrus to proestrus reflected increased area and density of label per cell. Both types of assays showed sex differences in expression of GH mRNA; male rat cell populations had higher values than female rats in metestrus, diestrus, or estrus. However, percentages of GH cells in male rats were equal to those from proestrous female rats and levels of GH mRNA were lower in male rats than proestrous females. Dual labeling experiments showed that, in male rats and diestrous, proestrous, or estrous females, GH mRNA was expressed in over 70% of GH cells. Expression of GH mRNA was also found in 50-57% of cells with LHbeta or FSHbeta antigens in the same groups. The lowest expression was seen in the metestrous groups (30-40% of GH cells or gonadotropes expressed GH mRNA). Expression of GH mRNA was first increased from metestrus to diestrous largely in GH cells, and slightly in cells with LHbeta antigens. Further increases were seen in GH and LH cells by the morning of proestrus. In contrast, FSH gonadotropes did not show an increased expression of GH mRNA until the morning of proestrus (reaching the same peak reached by LH cells). These data confirm the working hypothesis that a multihormonal cell type develops during diestrus to support both the somatotrope and gonadotrope populations. Collectively, our studies suggest that this multihormonal cell may function to help support the regulatory functions of the gonadotrope during the periovulatory period. In addition, the appearance of significant levels of expression of GH mRNA by male rat gonadotropes suggests that this multihormonal cell may play a role in regulation of the male reproductive system as well.

Pituitary and testicular function in growth hormone receptor gene knockout mice

The role of GH in the control of pituitary and testicular function is poorly understood. GH receptor gene knockout (GHR-KO) mice were recently produced. As these mice are good experimental animals to assess the influence of the effects of GH and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), the present studies were undertaken. Young adult male GHR-KO mice and their normal siblings were tested for fertility and subsequently injected (i.p.) with saline or GnRH (1 ng/g BW) in saline. Fifteen minutes later, blood was obtained via heart puncture. Plasma IGF-I, PRL, LH, and testosterone concentrations were measured by RIAs. In addition, the testicular testosterone response to LH treatment was evaluated in vitro. The results indicate that the absence of GH receptors (GHRs) was associated with an increase (P < 0.005) in plasma PRL levels, and circulating IGF-I was not detectable. Although the basal plasma LH levels were similar in GHR-KO mice relative to those in their normal siblings, the circulating LH response to GnRH treatment was significantly (P < 0.001) attenuated. Plasma testosterone levels were unaffected by disruption of the GHR gene. However, basal (P < 0.01) and LH-stimulated (P < 0.001) testosterone release from the isolated testes of GHR-KO mice were decreased. The rate of fertility in GHR-KO male mice was also reduced. These results indicate that the lack of GHRs (with GH resistance and lack of IGF-I secretion) induces hyperprolactinemia and alters the effect of GnRH on LH secretion as well as testicular function. Thus, GH and IGF-I influence pituitary and gonadal functions in male mice.

Effects of growth hormone, activin, and follistatin on the development of preantral follicle from immature female mice

The aim of this study was to investigate whether GH and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) are involved in preantral folliculogenesis and, if so, to clarify the relationship between GH/IGF-I and activin/follistatin (FS) systems in immature female mice. Ovaries were obtained from 11-day-old mice, and preantral follicles, 100-105 microm in diameter, were mechanically isolated and selected for culture. Ten preantral follicles per well were cultured with different quantities and combinations of additives as follows: no additives (control), recombinant human FSH (rhFSH), IGF-I, recombinant human GH (rhGH), activin A, and recombinant human FS (rhFS). Mean diameters of the follicles were measured daily, and estradiol and immunoreactive inhibin levels in the cultured medium were assayed by RIA on day 4. rhGH showed stimulatory effects on the follicular diameter and the secretion of estradiol and immunoreactive inhibin. These effects were augmented by the presence of IGF-I and activin A. IGF-I alone did not show any stimulatory effect. The addition of rhFSH to activin A or to rhGH and activin A promoted preantral follicular growth and hormone production. On the other hand, GH- or activin-stimulated follicular growth was suppressed by rhFS in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that activin A and rhGH may play an important role in controlling earlier phases of follicular development during the infantile period, which is considered to be gonadotropin independent.