瘦素体外对人卵巢黄素化颗粒细胞雌、孕激素分泌的影响

目的:探讨瘦素体外对人卵巢黄素化颗粒细胞雌激素(E2)和孕激素(P)分泌的影响。方法:将来自体外受精-胚胎移植(IVF-ET)的卵巢黄素化颗粒细胞纯化后,在不同的浓度瘦素(0、10、20、100 ng/ml)和FSH(0、1、5、10 IU/ml)单独或联合作用下进行体外培养48 h,收集培养液,用放射免疫方法测定颗粒细胞产生E2及P的浓度。结果:①不同浓度的瘦素对黄素化颗粒细胞E2和P的基础分泌功能无明显影响;②FSH能促进黄素化颗粒细胞E2和P的分泌,随FSH浓度增加,E2和P的水平逐渐增高;③不同浓度瘦素对FSH促进黄素化颗粒细胞E2的分泌均有抑制作用,随瘦素浓度增加,抑制作用逐渐增强,但对P的分泌无影响。结论:瘦素抑制FSH刺激卵巢黄素化颗粒细胞雌激素的分泌,高浓度瘦素可能影响卵泡发育和黄体形成。     

胰岛素样生长因子Ⅱ对人颗粒细胞分泌功能的影响

目的:探讨胰岛素样生长因子Ⅱ(IGF-Ⅱ)对人颗粒细胞分泌功能的影响。方法:收集行体外受精-胚胎移植(IVF-ET)患者取卵时的颗粒细胞作体外培养,在有或无尿促性腺激素(hMG)作用下,以不同浓度的基因重组人胰岛素样生长因子Ⅱ(rhIGF-Ⅱ)作用于颗粒细胞,48h后收集培养液测定雌二醇(E2)、孕酮(P),观察rhIGF-Ⅱ对体外培养的颗粒细胞分泌E2、P的影响。结果:在无hMG作用下,rhIGF-Ⅱ能够刺激颗粒细胞分泌E2增加(P<0.05);加入hMG后,rhIGF-Ⅱ与hMG协同作用能够显著增加颗粒细胞分泌E2的量(P<0.05);但不论有无hMG,rhIGF-Ⅱ对P分泌的影响均不明显(P>0.05)。结论:IGF-Ⅱ可单独或协同hMG刺激颗粒细胞甾体激素的分泌。     

Modulation of steroidogenesis by vitamin D3 in granulosa cells of the mouse model of polycystic ovarian syndrome

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder of women of reproductive age characterized by polycystic ovarian morphology, anovulation or oligomenorrhea, and hyperandrogenism. It is shown that disruption in the steroidogenesis pathway caused by excess androgen in PCOS is a critical element of abnormal folliculogenesis and failure in dominant follicle selection. Vitamin D plays an important role in the regulation of ovulatory dysfunction and can influence genes involved in steroidogenesis in granulosa cells. In the present study, we investigated the effects of vitamin D3 on steroidogenic enzyme expression and activities in granulosa cell using a PCOS mouse model. In our study, the PCOS mouse model was developed by the injection of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) for 20 days. The mRNA and protein expression levels of genes involved in steroidogenesis in granulosa cells were compared between polycystic and normal ovaries using real-time PCR and Western blotting assays. Granulosa cells of DHEA-induced PCOS mice were then cultured with and without vitamin D3 and mRNA and protein expression levels of steroidogenic enzymes and serum 17beta-estradiol and progesterone levels were investigated using qRT-PCR, western blot, and radioimmunoassay, respectively. Steroidogenic enzymes including Cyp11a1, StAR, Cyp19a1, and 3β-HSD were upregulated in granulosa cells of PCOS mice when compared to normal mice. Treatment with vitamin D3 decreased mRNA and protein expression levels of steroidogenic enzymes in cultured granulosa cells. Vitamin D3 also decreased aromatase and 3β-HSD activity that leads to decreased 17beta-estradiol and progesterone release. This study suggests that vitamin D3 could modulate the steroidogenesis pathway in granulosa cells of PCOS mice that may lead to improving follicular development and maturation. This is a step towards a possible conceivable treatment for PCOS.

Abbreviations: AMHR-II: anti-müllerian hormone receptor-II; 3β-HSD: 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase; Cyp11a1: Cytochrome P450 Family 11 Subfamily A Member 1; Cyp19a1: cytochrome P450 aromatase; DHEA: dehydroepiandrosterone; FSH: follicle stimulating hormone; FSHR: follicle stimulating hormone receptor; IVF: in vitro fertilization; 25OHD: 25-hydroxy vitamin D; OHSS: ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome; PCOS: polycystic ovarian syndrome; P450scc: P450 side-chain cleavage enzyme; StAR: steroidogenic acute regulatory protein; VDRs: vitamin D receptors     

黄芪多糖对体外培养多囊卵巢综合征患者卵巢颗粒细胞雄激素分泌异常的影响

目的 探索多囊卵巢综合征（PCOS）患者卵巢颗粒细胞雄激素分泌的变化及黄芪多糖对其雄激素分泌变化的影响.方法 收集行IVF/ICSI-ET 17例PCOS患者的卵巢颗粒细胞进行体外培养,用浓度为50、100、200、500、1000 μg/ml的黄芪多糖分别作用于体外培养的PCOS患者卵巢颗粒细胞,检测其培养液中雌激素（E2）、孕激素（P）、雄激素（T）水平的变化.结果 PCOS患者卵巢颗粒细胞分泌T水平[（0.4716±0.03）nmol/L]明显高于对照组[（0.23 ±0.0162） nmol/L,P＜0.05],两组E2、P水平比较差异均无统计学意义（P＞0.05）.给予不同浓度黄芪多糖处理后,PCOS组患者颗粒细胞培养液中T水平明显降低（P＜0.01）.黄芪多糖浓度分别为1000、500、200、100及50μg/ml的T水平与0μg/ml相比,其差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.01）.结论 黄芪多糖能抑制PCOS患者卵巢颗粒细胞体外培养中的睾酮分泌,降低睾酮分泌水平,可成为治疗PCOS患者的新途径.     

MIS,IGF-Ⅱ对人卵巢黄素化颗粒细胞分泌功能的影响

目的:探讨MIS,IGF-Ⅱ对人卵巢黄素化颗粒细胞分泌雌激素的影响。方法:体外受精-胚胎移植(IVF-ET)患者经阴道超声引导下取卵,剥离卵母细胞周围的颗粒细胞作体外培养,培养48h后更换无血清培养基,在有或无卵泡刺激激素(FSR)的作用下,分别加入基因重组人苗勒氏管抑制因子(rhMIS)及人胰岛素样生长因子Ⅱ(rhIGF-Ⅱ)作用于颗粒细胞,于培养后第4、6、8、10天收集培养液测定雌二醇(E2),观察rhMIS及rhIGF-Ⅱ对体外培养的颗粒细胞分泌E2的影响。结果:在无FSH作用下,rhMIS对颗粒细胞分泌E2无明显影响(P>0·05),rhIGF-Ⅱ刺激颗粒细胞分泌E2量增加(P<0·05);加入FSH后,rhMIS的明显抑制颗粒细胞E2分泌量(P<0·05),rhIGF-Ⅱ明显增加颗粒细胞E2的分泌(P<0·05)。结论:MIS和IGF-Ⅱ可单独或协同FSH刺激颗粒细胞甾体激素的分泌,对卵泡的生长发育及卵母细胞的分化成熟起着微观调控作用。     

LNG对双室培养的卵巢颗粒细胞和卵泡内膜细胞分泌功能的影响

本文采用羊膜双室培养系统,观察了18甲基炔诺酮(LNG)对猪卵巢颗粒细胞(G-C)和卵泡内膜细胞(T-C)在甾体激素生成过程中的影响。生长在羊膜两侧的G-C和T-C在加入或不加FSH、LH及各种不同浓度LNG的条件下孵育48小时,用RIA测定内、外室培养液中孕酮(P)和雌二醇(E_2)的含量,并与单独培养时的结果相比较。结果表明:①在FSH刺激时,LNG(30、3000nmol/L)明显抑制双室培养的G-C的P和E_2产量:P产量由55.1±3.4μmol/L降为25.8±1.8和20.3±3.8μmol/L;E_2产量由9.35±0.06nmol/L降至5.24±0.64和3.34±0.72nmol/L。但对P和E_2的基础水平无影响。②不论有或无LH刺激,LNG(30、3000nmoL/L)均明显抑制双室培养的T-C的P产量。有LH刺激时,P产量由70.9±6.5μmoL/L分别降为47.1±11.8和4.8±0.5μmol/L;在无LH刺激时,则由26.9±1.7μmol/L分别降至16.9±1.1和5.6±0.9μmol/L。结论:①LNG抑制双室培养中G-C的P和E_2产量,这种抑制作用是通过降低促性腺激素的刺激作用而产生的;②LNG不但抑制T-C的P基础分泌量,而且还表现为降低促性腺激素对P的刺激效应。③双室培养系统模拟了两种卵巢细胞在体时的旁分泌调节作用,与单独培养相比,是研究避孕药对卵巢功能影响的一种更为理想的模型。     

Postabortal contraception with norethisterone enanthate injections

Intramuscular injection of 200 mg norethisterone enanthate (NET-EN) was given to five women on the day of first trimester abortion. The injection was repeated twice at eight-week intervals, and thereafter at twelve-week intervals for one year. Plasma samples were collected for FSH, LH/hCG, estradiol, progesterone and norethisterone (NET) determinations. NET-EN did not affect the elimination of hCG, estradiol or progesterone. Plasma NET concentrations reached a peak (5.5–11 ng/ml) in about ten days after the injection and declined constantly thereafter, to levels of 0.18–0.64 ng/ml at 8 weeks after the injection. NET-EN postponed the increase in FSH secretion until 17–20 days after the injection, $\text{i.e.}$ until plasma NET concentrations fell below 3 ng/ml. In three out of five women some follicular activity was present 5 weeks after NET-EN injection as evidenced by increased plasma estradiol concentrations. No ovulation occurred within 8 weeks after NET-EN injection, as judged by low progesterone values. There was a definite accumulation of NET during the first six months, when NET-EN injections were given at eight-week intervals. Mean plasma NET concentrations increased from 0.34 ng/ml at eight weeks to 0.78 ng/ml at 24 weeks. When the injection interval was increased to twelve weeks, the plasma NET concentrations prior to the next injection started to decrease. This was accompanied by increased follicular activity, culminating with one ovulation observed. It is concluded that in this population of women, an injection interval of less than twelve weeks is needed for ovulation inhibition.     

Association of estrogen,progesterone and follicle stimulating hormone receptor polymorphisms with in vitro fertilization outcomes

Despite the advances in in vitro fertilization (IVF), the implantation success rate for infertile women remains approximately only 15%. In this study, we sought to determine whether implantation failure after repeated IVF treatments is influenced by the presence of common variants in estrogen α, progesterone and follicle stimulating hormone receptor genes. The study population included three groups of women: group 1 were 50 women who had the transfer of ≥3 high-quality embryos during the IVF procedure without ever having had a clinical pregnancy; group 2 were 50 women who achieved a clinical pregnancy after ≤3 high-quality embryos transfers and group 3 were 50 control subjects who achieved a clinical pregnancy without any fertility therapy that resulted in a one live-born infant. Genotype analysis was performed using polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing for rs6165, rs6166, rs2234693, rs9340799. While progesterone receptor single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was genotyped based on the amplicon size, the repeats for the ESR1 TA-repeat polymorphism were calculated based on the fragment length. A higher frequency of the heterozygote AG genotype was observed in the infertile groups when compared to controls. Significantly, an allele combination of T of rs2234693, A of rs9340799; S of ESR1 (TA), A of rs6166, G of rs6165 and del of PROGINS had a higher frequency in women who had a successful IVF outcome compared to women who had an unsuccessful IVF outcome, indicating a possible protective combined genotype that could reduce a negative outcome during IVF. This study has demonstrated that combining several candidate genes is needed to assess which may play a role in fertility.

Abbreviations: CI: confidence interval; COH: controlled ovarian hyperstimulation; DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid; ESR: estrogen receptors; FSH: follicle stimulating hormones; FSHR: FSH receptor; IVF: in vitro fertilization; PGR: progesterone receptors; SNP: single nucleotide polymorphism     

18甲基炔诺酮,RU486和利洛司酮对大鼠颗粒细胞分泌功能的影响

探讨甾体避孕药对卵巢功能的局部作用,用DES处理未成熟大鼠,取卵巢颗粒细胞(G-C)行体外培养。培养液中分别含有或不含PMSG,FSH,LNG,RU486或ZK98.734以及T。按不同时间结束培养,培养液做激素测定。P和E_2含量测定均采用WHO提供的RIA配对试剂和操作方法。结果:在50mIU/ml PMSG刺激下培养48h,30nM,100nM,300nM的LNG刺激G-C分泌P的产量分别为对照组的224％,220％和251％(P<0.05);100nM,300nM的ZK98.734刺激的P产量分别为对照组的168％和180％(P<0.05)。两者均不刺激大鼠G-C分泌P的基础水平。经48h孵育再加入100nM LNG或ZK98.734培养48h,显示在200nM和1000nM剂量点,LNG使P产量升高5～7倍,ZK98.734使P产量升高3.5倍,RU486未显示类似效应。FSH具有与PMSG的相同刺激效应。结论:LNG和ZK98.734都能促进体外培养的大鼠卵巢G-C分泌P,LNG比ZK98.734的促进作用更强,这种促进作用是通过增强促性腺激素的刺激作用而产生的。     

Effects of low dose oral contraceptives containing norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol on serum levels of progesterone and pituitary gonadotropins

Serum gonadotropin and progesterone levels were studied in longterm (>18 months) patients receiving oral contraceptives containing either 1.0 mg or 0.5 mg norethindrone in combination with 35 μg of ethinyl estradiol. In ten patients treated with 1.0 mg norethindrone and 35 μg ethinyl estradiol, no mid-cycle surges of LH were noted and LH levels never exceeded 225 ng/ml. FSH levels were generally elevated during the first half of the cycle. Serum progesterone concentrations in these patients and in fourteen additional women whose blood was sampled intermittently were generally less than 1 ng/ml, and no characteristic luteal phase elevation of this hormone was detected. Of six patients treated with 0.5 mg norethindrone and 35 μg ethinyl estradiol, five clearly had no mid-cycle surge of LH, and levels of this hormone never exceeded 250 ng/ml. The concentrations of FSH and progesterone in these patients and serum progesterone levels in two additional women whose blood was sampled intermittently were similar to those found in patients treated with 1 mg norethindrone and 35 μ ethinyl estradiol. In the sixth patient, hormonal levels did not follow the same pattern, but they were not characteristic of ovulation. It is concluded that there is no evidence of cyclic fluctuations in FSH, LH and progesterone characteristic of ovulation in patients treated longer than eighteen months with either 1.0 mg or 0.5 mg norethindrone in combination with 35 μg ethinyl estradiol.     

Secretion and gene expression of inhibin, oxytocin and steroid hormones during the in vitro differentiation of bovine granulosa cells.

Bovine granulosa cells were cultured under defined conditions to examine (1) their secretion of immunoreactive inhibin, oxytocin, progesterone and oestradiol during differentiation in vitro; (2) their expression, by Northern analysis, of specific mRNAs for inhibin and oxytocin as compared with uncultured cells; (3) possible interrelationships between the four secreted hormones; and (4) the hypothesis that androgens and steroidogenesis influence the secretion of inhibin. The secretion of inhibin and oestradiol fell rapidly over the first few days of culture but remained at detectable levels for at least 7 days. Conversely, the secretion of oxytocin and progesterone rose steadily as culture progressed. These changes occurred spontaneously (i.e. without gonadotrophin treatment) and were not dependent on the addition of serum to the culture medium. Messenger RNAs for the inhibin alpha- and beta A-subunits were present in uncultured cells but barely detectable or undetectable in cells cultured for 4 days. Conversely, the mRNA for oxytocin, which was not detectable in uncultured cells, was present in cultured cells and increased in quantity as culture progressed. Treatment of cells with testosterone (5 nM-5 microM), in the presence or absence of serum (10% FCS), had no effect on the secretion of inhibin but stimulated the declining oestradiol secretion. Treatment with ascorbic acid (0.5 mM) increased the secretion of oxytocin and progesterone, as previously described, but not that of inhibin. Treatment with aminoglutethimide (0.5 mM), an inhibitor of steroidogenesis, substantially inhibited progesterone secretion and the response of oestradiol secretion to testosterone, but had no effect on the secretion of either inhibin or oxytocin. We conclude that bovine granulosa cells differentiate spontaneously in defined culture in a manner that, as defined by the secretion of steroid and peptide hormones, closely resembles their luteinization in vivo. The switch in protein hormone secretion from inhibin to oxytocin is accompanied by a corresponding change in mRNA expression. The changes in steroid and peptide hormone secretions that take place in culture appear to occur independently of one another although their absolute cause remains to be determined. In contrast to previous studies, we could find no evidence for the regulation of inhibin secretion by either androgens or steroidogenesis.     

A randomized study of the effect of mifepristone alone or in conjunction with ethinyl estradiol on ovarian function in women using the etonogestrel-releasing subdermal implant, Implanon®

BackgroundMifepristone alone or in combination with ethinyl estradiol (EE) can effectively stop an episode of uterine bleeding in women using the etonogestrel-releasing contraceptive implant, Implanon® but could impair contraceptive efficacy.AimTo examine the effects of administration of mifepristone alone or with EE on ovarian function and cervical mucus consistency in women using Implanon.Study DesignWomen using Implanon were randomized to mifepristone 25 mg twice daily on day 1 plus placebo 1 daily for 4 days or plus EE 20 mcg daily for days 2–5. Measurements of serum estradiol (E₂), progesterone (P₄), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), cervical mucus examination and maximal follicle size (by vaginal ultrasound) were carried out at various times.ResultsFollowing mifepristone intake, there was a dramatic increase in E₂ levels ranging from 543 to 1183 pmol/L (p=.000), which was not correlated with maximal follicle size or preceded by LH or FSH increase. The increase in E₂ triggered an LH increase resulting in development of a luteinized follicle in four women with no evidence of ovulation. One of these women had estradiol and progesterone levels suggestive of ovulation, but no corpus luteum was seen. Almost all women had very low mucus scores, which did not correlate with E₂ levels.DiscussionDespite a transient increase in E₂ levels after mifepristone, there was no evidence of subsequent ovulation irrespective of whether they also received EE. The mechanism by which mifepristone in the presence of etonogestrel results in a rapid increase in E₂ levels remains unclear and could not be related to any significant changes in FSH, LH, ovarian follicle dynamics or subsequent possible ovulation.ConclusionPregnancy is very unlikely to occur if mifepristone and EE are given during use of Implanon to stop an episode of bleeding.     

A randomized study of the effect of mifepristone alone or in conjunction with ethinyl estradiol on ovarian function in women using the etonogestrel-releasing subdermal implant,Implanon®

BackgroundMifepristone alone or in combination with ethinyl estradiol (EE) can effectively stop an episode of uterine bleeding in women using the etonogestrel-releasing contraceptive implant, Implanon® but could impair contraceptive efficacy.AimTo examine the effects of administration of mifepristone alone or with EE on ovarian function and cervical mucus consistency in women using Implanon.Study DesignWomen using Implanon were randomized to mifepristone 25 mg twice daily on day 1 plus placebo 1 daily for 4 days or plus EE 20 mcg daily for days 2–5. Measurements of serum estradiol (E₂), progesterone (P₄), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), cervical mucus examination and maximal follicle size (by vaginal ultrasound) were carried out at various times.ResultsFollowing mifepristone intake, there was a dramatic increase in E₂ levels ranging from 543 to 1183 pmol/L (p=.000), which was not correlated with maximal follicle size or preceded by LH or FSH increase. The increase in E₂ triggered an LH increase resulting in development of a luteinized follicle in four women with no evidence of ovulation. One of these women had estradiol and progesterone levels suggestive of ovulation, but no corpus luteum was seen. Almost all women had very low mucus scores, which did not correlate with E₂ levels.DiscussionDespite a transient increase in E₂ levels after mifepristone, there was no evidence of subsequent ovulation irrespective of whether they also received EE. The mechanism by which mifepristone in the presence of etonogestrel results in a rapid increase in E₂ levels remains unclear and could not be related to any significant changes in FSH, LH, ovarian follicle dynamics or subsequent possible ovulation.ConclusionPregnancy is very unlikely to occur if mifepristone and EE are given during use of Implanon to stop an episode of bleeding.     

EFFECTS OF TREMELLA MESENTERICA ON STEROIDOGENESIS IN MA-10 MOUSE LEYDIG TUMOR CELLS

Tremella mesenterica (TM), a yellow jelly mushroom, has been traditionally used as food and crude medicine to improve several kinds of symptoms in Chinese society for a long time. Recent studies have illustrated that the fractions of fruiting bodies of TM exhibit a significant hypoglycemic activity in diabetic mouse models, which usually suffer from sexual dysfunction. In a previous study, we showed that TM reduced plasma testosterone production in normal rats without any positive effect in diabetic rats. It evolved a question of TM directly regulating Leydig cell steroidogenesis. In this study, MA-10 mouse Leydig tumor cells were treated with vehicle, different dosages of TM with or without human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG 50 ng/ml) to clarify the effects. Results showed that TM at different dosages (0.01–10 mg/ml) did not have any effect on MA-10 cell steroidogenesis (p > 0.05). In the presence of hCG, there was an inhibitory trend that TA suppressed MA-10 cell progesterone production at 3 hr treatment with a statistically significant difference by the 10 mg/ml TM (p < 0.05). In time course effect, TM alone did not have any effect on MA-10 cell steroidogenesis from at 1, 2, 3, 6 and 12 hr (p > 0.05). However, TM did reduce hCG-treated MA-10 cell progesterone production at 1, 2 and 3 hr (p < 0.05), respectively. To determine whether TM would have adverse effects on MA-10 cell steroidogenesis in the presence of hCG, MTT assay and recovery studies were conducted. MTT assay indicated that TM had no effect on surviving cells. In addition, with the removal of TM, and then the addition of hCG (2 and 4 hr), progesterone levels were restored within 4 hr. Taken together, present studies suggested that TM suppressed hCG-treated steroidogenesis in MA-10 cells without any toxicity effect.     

The effect of a synthetic progestin (R 2323) on gonadal and endometrial cells in vitro and in vivo

Gestrinone (R 2323) is a synthetic progestogen, and noteworthy agent for endometriosis treatment. The effect of this reagent on cultured cells from porcine granulosa, human endometrial and endometrial carcinoma origin was investigated concerning their hormonal activities and cell proliferations. Also, the effect of gestrinone on the serum levels of gonadotropins and gonadal steroids in patients with XY gonadal dysgenesis (Swyer's syndrome) and uterine myoma was studied. The monolayer cell colony established from the endometrial tissue fragments was positively stained by PAS similar to the secretory phase endometrium by 10 ng/ml gestrinone in the culture media. Endometrial carcinoma cells from a 65-year-old patient were proliferated by gestrinone at the concentration of 50 ng/ml in the culture media. The effect of gestrinone on the secretions of progesterone and estradiol-17 beta with or without hCG/testosterone from the cultured porcine granulosa cells was also investigated. Progesterone secretions were stimulated at the 50 ng/ml concentration of gestrinone, especially in association with hCG. Nonetheless, at the concentration of 500 ng/ml, those were inhibited. The secretions of estradiol-17 beta were stimulated by this reagent both with and without testosterone in dose-dependent manners. The effect of 25 mg gestrinone administration for 3 days on the levels of LH, FSH, progesterone and estradiol-17 beta in a patient with XY gonadal dysgenesis was as follows. Both LH and FSH levels gradually decreased, whereas estradiol-17 beta level was increased. The same dosage of this reagent was administered to a patient with uterine myoma on her menstrual days 7, 8, and 9.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Granulosa cells are refractory to FSH action in individuals with a low antral follicle count

The reason ovarian function and fertility are diminished in women with a low antral follicle count (AFC), despite significant numbers of follicles remaining in ovaries, is unknown. The bovine model is unique to address this question because cattle and women with a low AFC exhibit similar phenotypic characteristics including a diminished ovarian reserve, reduced circulating concentrations of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) but heightened FSH secretion during reproductive cycles. Because women and cattle with a low AFC respond minimally to gonadotropin stimulation during IVF cycles or superovulation, granulosa cells in individuals with a low AFC are hypothesised to be refractory to FSH. The present study evaluates this hypothesis by testing whether capacity of granulosa cells to respond to FSH differs between cattle with a low and a high AFC. Granulosa cells from cattle with a low (≤15 follicles ≥3 mm in diameter) or a high (≥25 follicles) AFC were cultured with different doses of FSH. Treatments were evaluated by measurement of oestradiol (E), progesterone (P) and AMH in media and abundance of mRNAs for aromatase (CYP19A1), AMH, FSH receptor (FSHR) and oxytocin (OXT). Progesterone and OXT mRNA are well-established markers of granulosa cell luteinisation. Although high doses of FSH induced granulosa cell luteinisation, basal and FSH-induced increases in E and AMH production and expression of mRNAs for CYP19A1, FSHR and AMH in granulosa cells were much lower, while P production and OXT mRNA expression were higher in non-luteinised and luteinised granulosa cells from the low than the high AFC group. Granulosa cells in cattle with a low AFC are refractory to FSH action, which could explain why ovarian function, responsiveness to gonadotropin stimulation and fertility are diminished in individuals with a low versus a high AFC.     

Effect of Mimosa pudica root extract on vaginal estrous and serum hormones for screening of antifertility activity in albino mice

BackgroundSeveral plants are traditionally used as birth control agents by the rural people in India. Mimosa pudica is one of the folk medicinal plants commonly used as antifertility agent in some places in India. The present work was carried out to evaluate the claimed antifertility effect of the plant by carrying out pharmacological studies with the root extract of the plant.Study DesignAir-dried roots of M. pudica were extracted using methanol. Dried methanol extract of the root was administered orally to Swiss albino mice for 21 consecutive days. Estrous cycle, reproductive hormones (LH, FSH, prolactin, estradiol and progesterone) and number of litters produced were studied in both control and extract-administered groups by using standard methods. Phytochemical studies of the methanolic root extract were carried out using qualitative and thin-layer chromatography methods.ResultsM. pudica root extract, when administered orally at a dose of 300 mg/kg body weight/day, prolonged the length of the estrous cycle with significant increase in the duration of the diestrous phase and reduced the number of litters in albino mice. The number of litters was increased in the posttreatment period. The analysis of the principal hormones (LH, FSH, prolactin, estradiol and progesterone) involved in the regulation of the estrous cycle showed that the root extract altered gonadotropin release and estradiol secretion.ConclusionsThe root extract of M. pudica has antifertility effect as it prolongs the estrous cycle and disturbs the secretion of gonadotropin hormones in albino mice. The decrease in FSH level in the proestrus and estrus stages in the extract-administered group compared with those of control animals indicates the disturbance of estrous cycle and ovulation through suppression of FSH.     

干细胞微环境促进体外培养的卵巢组织内卵泡发育成熟

目的:研究骨髓间充质干细胞(Mesenchymal stem cell,MSC)-软琼脂培养体系对小鼠卵巢组织片中卵泡发育的作用。方法:分离、培养、FACS鉴定小鼠MSC;建立MSC-软琼脂"小岛"培养体系,500μm厚小鼠卵巢组织片嵌入支架上培养。培养液内加入1.5IU/mlPMSG,每2天半量换液1次,放射免疫法动态检测雌二醇(E2)和孕酮(P)含量。第6天加入1.5IU/mlhCG,17h后体视显微镜下获取窦卵泡内颗粒细胞-卵母细胞复合物(cumulus-oocyte complex,COC),体外受精后观察受精率和囊胚形成率。结果:卵巢组织在MSC-软琼脂培养体系中存活良好,卵泡直径、颗粒细胞数量和层数不断增加,E2水平稳定上升。加入hCG17h后,卵泡进一步成熟,有窦腔形成,P水平急剧上升。获取的卵母细胞体外受精率明显低于体内成熟组(62.5%vs89%,P<0.01),但是囊胚形成率两者间比较差异无统计学意义(82.4%vs87.5%,P>0.05)。结论:MSC-软琼脂培养体系有利于卵泡发育、成熟,获得的卵母细胞功能良好。