Estrogen modulated gonadotropin release in relation to gonadotropin-releasing-hormone (GnRH) and phorbol ester (PMA) actions in superfused rat pituitary cells

The involvement of protein kinase C (PKC) in GnRH action is still a matter of controversy. We have conducted a comparative study of LH and FSH release in response to GnRH and to phorbol ester myristate acetate (PMA), an activator of PKC, by rat pituitary cells maintained in culture. The effect of E2 pretreatment coupled or not with PKC depletion was also studied. Different kinetics in the response of LH and FSH to GnRH were observed, suggesting that the intracellular pathways involved in the release process of the two hormones were somewhat different. Moreover, PMA (10 nM) stimulated LH release greatly and FSH release only slightly. Intracellular PKC depletion, obtained by a prolonged treatment (18 h) of the cells with PMA (1 microM), produced different results according to the endocrine status of the pituitary cells. GnRH (10 nM)-induced LH release was significantly decreased in PKC-depleted cells from proestrous females. For PKC-depleted cells from OVX females, it was decreased significantly only when cells had been pretreated by E2. These results suggest that the modulation of LH secretion by E2 involves PKC activation. FSH release was poorly stimulated by PMA; but, under any conditions, PKC depletion did not affect GnRH-induced FSH release.     

Calcium signaling and gonadotropin secretion.

Agonist activation of pituitary gonadotrophs by gonadotropinreleasing hormone (GnRH) stimulates rapid InsP(3)-dependent peaks of calcium mobilization and luteinizing hormone (LH) release, followed by sustained increases in calcium-influx and hormone secretion. Receptor-mediated calcium entry through L-type and dihydropyridine-itisensitive calcium channels accounts for the sustained elevation of cytosolic calcium during GnRH action, and for most of the gonadotropin secretory response. Protein kinase C contributes to the phase of sustained LH release from GnRH-stimulated gonadotrophs, and also to gonadotropin synthesis. Calcium-dependent inactivation of L channels occurs during GnRH action, and appears to be a primary factor in the onset of desensitization of gonadotropin secretion.     

Signal transduction mechanisms of Ca2+ mobilizing hormones: the case of gonadotropin-releasing hormone

Multiple (at least seven) steps are involved in GnRH-induced gonadotropin secretion and gonadotropin gene expression. After binding to specific receptors located exclusively on pituitary gonadotrophs, GnRH stimulates a rapid phosphodiesteric hydrolysis of phosphoinositides for which no rise in [Ca2+]i is required. Activation of PLC is most likely mediated by a pertussis toxin-insensitive GTP-binding protein (Gp). In its activated state (Gp-GTP) the binding affinity of GnRH to is receptor is reduced. Rapid formation of IP3 will enhance Ca2+ release from intracellular sources most likely via a specific IP3 receptor. The transient Ca2+ rise might be responsible for a burst phase of LH release lasting for about 100 sec, which is not dependent on extracellular Ca2+. The backbone moiety of the phosphoinositides, DG, and the elevated [Ca2+]i are most likely responsible for translocation of PKC subspecies from the cytosol to the membrane. The most likely candidates are alpha- and beta II-PKC. The activated PKC subspecies phosphorylate substrate proteins which activate secretory reactions and participate in gonadotropin gene expression. In parallel Ca2(+)-influx via nifedipine-sensitive and insensitive channels further elevates [Ca2+]i, which participates in the sustained phase of gonadotropin secretion in concert with the activated PKCs. GnRH also triggers the release of AA and the formation of lipoxygenase and/or epoxygenase products of the fatty acid which are also involved in the process of the exocytosis. We predict that the continuous supply of DG and AA needed for GnRH action is also provided via activated PLD which will also supply phosphatidic acid, the role of which is as yet unclear. The interaction of the various second messengers involved in GnRH action (IP3, Ca2+, DG, AA) and their relative roles in gonadotropin secretion and gonadotropin gene expression await further investigation. In several aspects GnRH action on gonadotropin secretion is unique when compared to other Ca2(+)-mobilizing ligands: 1) At physiological concentrations GnRH up-regulates its own receptors whereas most ligands down-regulate the respective receptor; 2) PKC up-regulates GnRH receptors whereas in most cases PKC down-regulates the ligand receptor; 3) GnRH stimulation of PLC activity is most likely mediated by Gp whereas some Ca2(+)-mobilizing ligands operate via Gi; 4) Activated PKC does not exert negative feedback upon GnRH-induced inositol phosphate production as is the case with several other peptides; 5) Activated PKC might be responsible for Ca2+ influx whereas in several other systems PKC is inhibitory to Ca2+ influx.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase mediates gonadotropin subunit gene expression and LH release responses to endogenous gonadotropin-releasing hormones in goldfish

The possible involvement of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in mediating the stimulatory actions of two endogenous goldfish gonadotropin-releasing hormones (salmon (s)GnRH and chicken (c)GnRH-II) on gonadotropin synthesis and secretion was examined. Western blot analysis revealed the presence of ERK and phosphorylated (p)ERK in goldfish brain, pituitary, liver, ovary, testis and muscle tissue extracts, as well as extracts of dispersed goldfish pituitary cells and HeLa cells. Interestingly, a third ERK-like immunoreactive band of higher molecular mass was detected in goldfish tissue and pituitary cell extracts in addition to the ERK1-p44- and ERK2-p42-like immunoreactive bands. Incubation of primary cultures of goldfish pituitary cells with either a PKC-activating 4β-phorbol ester (TPA) or a synthetic diacylglycerol, but not a 4α-phorbol ester, elevated the ratio of pERK/total (t)ERK for all three ERK isoforms. The stimulatory effects of TPA were attenuated by the PKC inhibitor GF109203X and the MEK inhibitor PD98059. sGnRH and cGnRH-II also elevated the ratio of pERK/tERK for all three ERK isoforms, in a time-, dose- and PD98059-dependent manner. In addition, treatment with PD98059 reduced the sGnRH-, cGnRH-II- and TPA-induced increases in gonadotropin subunit mRNA levels in Northern blot studies and sGnRH- and cGnRH-II-elicited LH release in cell column perifusion studies with goldfish pituitary cells. These results indicate that GnRH and PKC can activate ERK through MEK in goldfish pituitary cells. More importantly, the present study suggests that GnRH-induced gonadotropin subunit gene expression and LH release involve MEK/ERK signaling in goldfish.     

Interactions between Signaling Pathways in Mediating GnRH-Stimulated GTH Release from Goldfish Pituitary Cells: Protein Kinase C, but Not Cyclic AMP Is an Important Mediator of GnRH-Stimulated Gonadotropin Secretion in Goldfish

In the goldfish, it has been proposed that gonadotropin (GTH) release induced by GTH-releasing hormone (GnRH) involves Ca²⁺entry through voltage-sensitive Ca²⁺channels (VSCC), protein kinase C (PKC) activation, and arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism, but not cyclic AMP (cAMP) action. However, cAMP appears to mediate GnRH action in other teleosts. In this study, the relative importance of PKC and cAMP in mediating GnRH action in goldfish was studied using primary cultures of dispersed pituitary cells. Consistent with an involvement of PKC in GnRH action, the GTH responses to the PKC activating tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA), salmon (s)GnRH, and chicken (c)GnRH-II were inhibited by two selective PKC inhibitors, calphostin C, and staurosporine. Furthermore, GTH release responses induced by sGnRH or cGnRH-II were not additive to responses stimulated by the PKC-activating diglyceride DiC8, in either long-term static incubation or acute perifusion experiments. In static incubation studies, the GTH responses to sGnRH and DiC8 were potentiated by the VSCC agonist Bay K 8644, suggesting that VSCC participates in both PKC and GnRH action. Concentrations of K⁺< 100 mMdid not elicit GTH secretion when tested alone, but were effective in stimulating GTH release in the presence of subthreshold doses of DiC8 or TPA. This suggests that minimal activation of PKC greatly enhances the effectiveness of Ca²⁺influx to increase GTH secretion. Taken together, these results indicate that PKC is an important mediator of GnRH-induced, VSCC-dependent GTH release. In contrast to the involvement of PKC, cAMP-dependent mechanisms showed no evidence of direct participation in GnRH-induced GTH release in goldfish. In static incubation studies, the GTH responses to sGnRH and cGnRH-II were not affected by H89, a cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) inhibitor. Furthermore, the GTH release stimulated by cAMP was additive to the response to sGnRH, cGnRH-II, DiC8, TPA, or AA. However, compared to the response to forskolin or TPA alone, combinations of forskolin and TPA resulted in a potentiated increase in GTH release. The acute GTH response to forskolin was also enhanced by DiC8. Thus, cAMP-dependent mechanisms may constitute an independent pathway that interacts positively with GnRH-dependent mechanisms in the regulation of GTH release.     

Production of leukotrienes in gonadotropin-releasing hormone-stimulated pituitary cells: potential role in luteinizing hormone release.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulated the formation of two major metabolites of the 5-lipoxygenase pathway, leukotriene (LT) B4 and LTC4, as well as luteinizing hormone (LH) release in primary cultures of rat anterior pituitary cells. Several lines of evidence suggested the presence of a GnRH-dependent pituitary endocrine system in which LTs act as second messengers for LH release: (i) GnRH-dependent LT formation was observed within 1 min and immediately preceded GnRH-induced LH release, whereas exogenous LTs stimulated LH release at low concentrations; (ii) the dose responses of GnRH-induced LT production and LH release were similar and both effects required the presence of extracellular Ca2+ ions; (iii) GnRH-induced LH release was blocked by up to 45% following the administration of several LT receptor antagonists; (iv) LTE4 action on LH secretion was entirely abolished by LT receptor antagonists; and (v) an activator of protein kinase C acted synergistically with LTE4 to induce LH release. The major source of LT formation in the pituitary cell cultures appeared to be the gonadotrophs, as shown by GnRH receptor desensitization experiments. The results demonstrate the presence of a GnRH-activatable 5-lipoxygenase pathway in anterior pituitary cells and provide strong support for the hypothesis that LTs play a role in LH release in the GnRH signaling pathway.     

Structure, function and transforming potential of the epidermal growth factor receptor

We have examined the pharmacology of the voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels (VSCCs) that mediate gonadotropin secretion from primary cultures of rat pituitary cells, stimulated by either cell depolarization or by binding of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). We also measured single-cell [Ca2+]i transients using fura-2 in gonadotropes identified by a reverse hemolytic plaque assay employing an antiserum to luteinizing hormone (LH). Cell depolarization evoked by either 50 mM K+ or 30 microM veratridine induced 2- to 6-fold increases in gonadotropin secretion over basal levels. GnRH caused 6- to 20-fold increases in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and LH secretion, respectively, with maximal stimulation at 100 nM GnRH. K(+)- or GnRH-induced FSH release was largely prevented by co-incubation with 1 mM CdCl. Tetrodotoxin (TTX, 5 microM) prevented the veratridine-, but not the K(+)- or GnRH-induced, stimulation of FSH secretion. Nitrendipine (Ntd, 1 microM) produced 35-50% inhibition (NS) of both FSH and LH release stimulated by either 50 mM K+ or 100 nM GnRH. Ntd also inhibited the K(+)-induced [Ca2+]i rise (greater than 90%), as well as the secondary, plateau phase of the GnRH-induced elevation of [Ca2+]i (100% inhibition). Omega-conotoxin (omega-CgTx, 100 nM) partially suppressed FSH and LH release (NS) due to both K+ (33% each) and GnRH (44% and 18%, respectively). omega-CgTx showed variable effects on [Ca2+]i transients evoked by K+ or GnRH ranging from clear inhibition to no effect. We conclude that influx of extracellular Ca2+ is one of several fundamental events underlying the depolarization- or receptor-activated release of LH and FSH, and that this influx can be inhibited by dihydropyridine-sensitive ('L') Ca2+ channels. Two classes of L-channels may exist in gonadotropes, that differ in their sensitivity to omega-CgTx.     

Modulation of cytoplasmic calcium signaling in rat pituitary gonadotrophs by estradiol and progesterone.

The stimulatory action of GnRH on gonadotropin secretion from cultured rat pituitary cells is modulated by estradiol (E) and progesterone (P). Since secretory responses to GnRH are initiated by phosphoinositide hydrolysis and Ca2+ mobilization, the effects of gonadal steroids on the pattern of Ca2+ signaling were analyzed in single pituitary gonadotrophs. Increasing concentrations of GnRH elicited a spectrum of [Ca2+]i signals in single gonadotrophs, ranging from subthreshold to threshold-oscillatory and biphasic (spike & plateau) responses. In E-treated gonadotrophs, short-term P treatment shifted subthreshold [Ca2+]i responses to oscillatory and oscillatory to biphasic responses, whereas long-term P treatment shifted oscillatory to subthreshold [Ca2+]i response profiles. These changes parallel the effects of P on GnRH-induced LH release, and indicate that the modulatory effects of ovarian steroids on gonadotropin secretion include a significant action on the Ca2+ signaling pathway.     

Effects of a novel gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist (ORG 30850) on gonadotropin and prolactin secretion by rat pituitary cells in culture

The effect of a new GnRH antagonist (ORG 30850 ANT) on FSH, LH, and PRL secretion was studied using male rat pituitary cells in monolayer cell culture. In the absence of GnRH, ORG 30850 ANT did not alter spontaneous FSH and LH secretion into culture medium or the cell content of these hormones. In the presence of GnRH (10(-8) mol/l), ORG 30850 ANT significantly and dose-dependently inhibited FSH and LH secretion into culture medium while increasing their cell content. Conversely, in the presence of a single dose of ORG 30850 ANT, FSH and LH secretion rose significantly when subjected to increasing amounts of GnRH, whereas the hormonal cell content diminished. Furthermore, inhibition of GnRH-induced FSH and LH release by ORG 30850 ANT was not changed by pre-incubation with the GnRH antagonist regardless of the pre-incubation time. The inhibitory effect of the GnRH antagonist was observed early, with its peak occurring within 6 h of culture. These short-term studies indicate that ORG 30850 ANT specifically inhibits GnRH-induced gonadotropin release into culture medium, exerts no effect on the rate of gonadotropin production in the presence or absence of GnRH, competitively and reversibly inhibits the binding of natural GnRH to its receptors, and does not lead to any modifications in PRL secretion.     

Effect of recombinant human inhibin on gonadotropin secretion by the male rat

We have examined the effect of recombinant human inhibin-A on basal and GnRH-induced gonadotropin secretion by male rats or cultured anterior pituitary cells. Inhibin, administered sc 6 h before the experiment, induced dose- and time-related decreases in plasma FSH, but not LH, levels in both intact and castrated male rats. Inhibin also significantly interfered with the in vivo stimulatory effect of 20-500 ng GnRH on FSH release, but had inconsistent and usually modest effects on the LH response. While exposure of cultured pituitary cells to inhibin for 72 h has been reported to interfere with GnRH-induced gonadotropin release, we examined here the effects of shorter exposure periods relevant to in vivo experiments. Exposure of the cells to inhibin (31.3-312.5 pM) for 2-6 h measurably (P less than or equal to 0.01) decreased the ability of 10 nM GnRH to stimulate both FSH and LH released by cultured cells. In contrast, lower (3.1 and 9.4 pM) doses of inhibin had little or no effect. Longer exposures to inhibin (10, 24, and 72 h) increased the inhibitory effect of 31.3-312.5 pM inhibin, while 3.1 and 9.4 pM remained ineffective at all times. These results indicate that exposure of the male rat to inhibin for 6 h decreases FSH secretion, and that this effect is at least partially mediated through blunting of the pituitary response to GnRH. In contrast, the ability of inhibin to interfere with LH release, which is readily apparent in cultured pituitary cells, appears to be of lesser importance in the intact male rat.     

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone stimulates luteinizing hormone secretion by extracellular calcium-dependent and -independent mechanisms

The dependence of LH responses to GnRH on extracellular calcium was investigated in cultured rat pituitary cells exposed to GnRH for 3 h in static culture or for 2 min during column perifusion. During static culture in normal medium, LH release was stimulated by GnRH with an ED50 of 0.3 nM and by K+ with an ED50 of 32 mM. Incubation in Ca2+-deficient (no added Ca2+) or Ca2+-free medium (containing 100 microM EGTA) substantially decreased, but did not abolish, the LH responses to 10 and 100 nM GnRH, whereas K+-induced LH release was almost completely abolished in Ca2+-deficient medium. The Ca2+ channel agonist (BK 8644) and antagonists (nifedipine, nicardipine, verapamil, and Co2+) respectively enhanced or reduced the LH responses to both GnRH and K+. However, the calcium antagonists completely abolished the LH response to depolarization by K+, but only partially inhibited the LH response to GnRH, confirming the existence of a significant component of GnRH action that is not dependent on extracellular Ca2+. In perifused pituitary cells, exposure to Ca2+-deficient medium or normal medium containing 5 mM EGTA or 5 mM EDTA, reduced the initial rapid LH response to 2-min pulses of 10 nM GnRH and abolished the second phase of LH release. Reintroduction of Ca2+-containing medium at the end of the GnRH pulse caused recovery of the second phase of LH secretion, demonstrating that influx of extracellular Ca2+ is not required for the early phase of the LH response to GnRH but, rather, appears to be essential for its prolongation. The release of LH in response to arachidonic acid, which has been implicated in the mechanism of the secretory action of GnRH, was completely independent of extracellular Ca2+ and unaffected by addition of 10 nM BK 8644. These observations indicate that the initiation of the secretory response to GnRH is largely independent of calcium entry, whereas the prolongation of gonadotropin secretion is maintained by calcium influx, in part through voltage-sensitive calcium channels. The role of arachidonic acid metabolites in GnRH action is probably related to the calcium-independent component of GnRH-induced LH secretion. Since GnRH is secreted episodically and for short periods, much of its physiological action on pulsatile gonadotropin release could be independent of calcium influx from the extracellular fluid.     

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone action in cultured pituicytes: independence of luteinizing hormone release and adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate production.

The secretory response of pituitary gonadotropes to stimulation by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) has been extensively studied, but the mechanism by which GnRH evokes gonadotropin synthesis and release has not been clarified. In particular, there has been conflicting evidence about the role of cAMP in GnRH-induced release of LH. To examine this question in more detail, the actions of GnRH on LH release and cAMP production were analyzed in primary cultures of collagenase-dispersed rat pituitary cells. In this system, addition of 10(-10)--10(-6) M GnRh to cultured pituicytes caused rapid release of LH into the incubation medium. In contrast, GnRH caused no significant change in intracellular or extracellular cAMP or in occupancy by cAMP of the regulatory subunit of protein kinse. Neither dibutyryl cAMP nor methyl isobutylxanthine (MIC) stimulated LH production to the same level as GnRH, and neither agent potentiated the effect of the releasing hormone. Cholera toxin and prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), both of which stimulated cAMP production in cultured pituicytes, did not raise LH levels as markedly as GnRH. These results demonstrate the independence of LH release from cAMP accumulation in cultured pituicytes, suggesting that cAMP is not required for stimulation of LH release from these cells and that GnRH acts on LH secretion by a different mechanism.     

Maintenance of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-stimulated luteinizing hormone release despite desensitization of GnRH-stimulated cytosolic calcium responses.

Involvement of ionized cytosolic calcium ([Ca2+]i) and protein kinase-C (PKC) in GnRH-stimulated LH release was assessed by correlating measurable changes in [Ca2+]i and LH release in PKC-depleted and nondepleted gonadotropes. Primary cultures of anterior pituitary cells were loaded with the calcium-sensitive fluorescent dye fura-2 and placed in a perifusion chamber. GnRH pulses were delivered to the cells, and changes in fura-2 fluorescence and LH release were determined. The level of [Ca2+]i (assessed by fura-2) increased rapidly to a maximum within 20-40 sec, followed by a slower decline over the next minute (spike phase) to a sustained intermediate value (plateau phase). GnRH-stimulated LH release was unaffected by loading cells with fura-2. Both LH release and changes in [Ca2+]i were directly dependent on GnRH concentration. Pretreatment with the GnRH antagonist Antide (50 nM; [NAcD2Nal1-DpClPhe2-D3Pal3-Ser4-NicLys5-++ +DNicLys6-Leu7-ILys8-Pro9-DAla10]NH2 ) had no effect on basal [Ca2+]i or basal LH release, but did block both GnRH-stimulated calcium mobilization and GnRH-stimulated LH release. GnRH pretreatment (3.5 nM; 10 min) blocked the calcium spike phase, but not the plateau phase occurring in response to a GnRH pulse (10 nM; 5 min) delivered immediately after pretreatment. Inhibition of the calcium spike phase was transient (recovery within 15 min) and was dependent on pretreatment concentrations of GnRH. Calcium spike phase inhibition by GnRH pretreatment prevented increased LH release from PKC-depleted cells in response to a subsequent pulse of GnRH, but not from gonadotropes with normal levels of PKC. This suggests that initial LH release is dependent on changes in [Ca2+]i, but enhancement of LH release after periods of elevated GnRH concentrations may be dependent on PKC.     

Stimulation of luteinizing hormone release by sodium fluoride is independent of protein kinase-C activity and unaffected by desensitization to gonadotropin-releasing hormone

GnRH stimulates secretion of pituitary LH by increasing intracellular calcium. Increased calcium may result from activation of phospholipase-C, since there is an increase in inositol phosphates and diacylglycerol, and a redistribution of protein kinase-C (PKC) from cytosolic to a particulate cell fraction in GnRH-stimulated pituitary cultures. A GTP-binding protein (G-protein) may mediate GnRH actions, since GTP stimulates LH release in permeabilized gonadotropes and decreases receptor affinity for a GnRH analog. In the present study we have used sodium fluoride, an exogenous activator of G-proteins, to investigate the possibility of a G-protein link between GnRH receptor activation, phospholipase-C activity, and LH release. Treatment of primary pituitary cell cultures from immature female rats with sodium fluoride stimulated the release of 20% total cellular LH and increased inositol phosphate accumulation. Sodium fluoride-stimulated LH release was insensitive to cholera toxin and pertussis toxin. Sodium fluoride-stimulated LH release was additive with a maximally effective concentration of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and was not inhibited by depletion of cellular PKC, suggesting that PKC does not mediate sodium fluoride effects. Treatment of cultures with 3 mM EGTA and 10 nM GnRH for 5 and 16 h reduced pituitary responsiveness to subsequent treatment with GnRH, but had no effect on sodium fluoride-stimulated LH release. Although the precise mechanism of sodium fluoride-stimulated LH release remains to be described, our results support a role for a G-protein in regulation of LH release by the releasing hormone.     

Interactions of insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin and estradiol with GnRH-stimulated luteinizing hormone release from female rat gonadotrophs

BACKGROUND: It is well established that ovarian steroids modulate gonadotropin secretion from anterior pituitary cells. It has been speculated that insulin and IGF-I might influence gonadotropin secretion. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of IGF-I and estradiol alone, or combinations of IGF-I with insulin and estradiol on GnRH-stimulated LH release from female rat pituitary cells in serum-supplemented and serum-free culture conditions. METHODS: Pituitary cells were incubated for 24 h or 48 h with a series of increasing concentrations of IGF-I or estradiol and stimulated with 1 nmol/l GnRH for 3 h. To determine the interaction of IGF-I and estradiol on GnRH-stimulated LH secretion, cells were exposed to increasing concentrations of IGF-I and 100 pmol/l estradiol for 24 h. We also investigated the effects of combined treatment with IGF-I and insulin on GnRH-stimulated LH secretion. RESULTS: Our findings indicate that long-term IGF-I treatment (24 h) alone has a significant augmenting effect on GnRH-stimulated LH release in serum-free medium only, with a maximum at low concentrations (10 and 100 pmol/l). Estradiol significantly increased GnRH-induced LH release in a dose-dependent manner. The extent of GnRH-stimulated LH secretion by long-term estradiol treatment (24 h) was significantly greater in serum-supplemented (+42%) medium than in serum-free medium. Estradiol facilitated IGF-I-primed LH responses to GnRH in serum-free medium. In contrast, in serum-supplemented medium, the facilitating potential of estradiol was lower. We also found that, in GnRH-stimulated cells, LH release was augmented by insulin treatment, in contrast to quiescent cells that had been pretreated with 100 pmol/l IGF-I alone and 1 nmol/l insulin alone. CONCLUSIONS: IGF-I and to a lesser extent insulin stimulate GnRH-induced LH secretion from pituitary gonadotrophs. This action is enhanced by estradiol treatment of the cells. However, the well known stimulatory action of estradiol on LH secretion is dependent on the presence of growth factors.     

Adrenocorticotropin-induced changes in ovine pituitary gonadotropin secretion in vitro

In vitro pituitary perifusion experiments were conducted to examine the effect of ACTH and related peptides on basal and GnRH-stimulated gonadotropin release. Treatments of 5 X 10(-7) M ACTH-(1-39), ACTH-(1-24), or ACTH-(18-39) were examined for their ability to influence basal gonadotropin secretion and the subsequent response to a 10(-9)- or 10(-8) M GnRH challenge. Administration of the 1-39 or 18-39 peptide sequences of ACTH similarly stimulated the release of LH and FSH (P less than 0.01). ACTH-(1-24) had no effect on basal gonadotropin secretion. Pretreatment with ACTH-(1-39) inhibited the LH and FSH responses to 10(-9) and 10(-8) M GnRH (P less than 0.05). Suppression of the LH response to 10(-8) M GnRH (P less than 0.05) and the FSH response to 10(-9) M GnRH (P less than 0.05) was observed after ACTH-(1-24) treatment. The administration of ACTH-(18-39) had no significant effect on GnRH-induced gonadotropin release. PRL concentrations were not affected by any of the ACTH peptides. Exposure to 10(-10) M GnRH or 5 X 10(-7) M synthetic ACTH-(1-39) produced an equivalent stimulation of LH secretion. GnRH pretreatment enhanced (P less than 0.05), while ACTH-(1-39) diminished (P less than 0.05), the subsequent response to GnRH. The GnRH receptor antagonist [D-pGlu1, D-Phe2, D-Trp3,6]GnRH attenuated the LH and FSH responses to GnRH and ACTH-(1-39) (P less than 0.05). The results obtained in this study indicate that certain portions of the ACTH molecule may affect gonadotropin secretion, perhaps by interacting with the GnRH receptor.     

Effects of gonadal steroids on gonadotropin secretion in males: studies with perifused rat pituitary cells

The feedback effects of testosterone (T) and estradiol (E2) on FSH and LH secretion were compared in dispersed pituitary cells from adult male rats perifused with pulses of GnRH. Cells were stimulated with 10 nM GnRH for 2 min every 1 h. T (10 nM) pretreatment for 24 h reduced the amplitude of FSH and LH pulses to 77 +/- 4% (mean +/- SE) and 47 +/- 3% of control values, respectively (P less than 0.01), whereas 6-h T treatment was without effect. By contrast, interpulse secretion of FSH was increased after 24 h T to 184 +/- 7% of the control value (P less than 0.01), but interpulse LH release was unchanged (104 +/- 5%). E2 (0.075 nM) treatment of pituitary cells reduced GnRH-stimulated FSH and LH release within 2 h to 75 +/- 2% and 73 +/- 3% of control values, respectively (P less than 0.01). E2 pretreatment for 24 h stimulated (P less than 0.025) GnRH-induced FSH (136 +/- 10%) and LH (145 +/- 8%) release and also increased (P less than 0.01) interpulse FSH (127 +/- 5%) and LH (145 +/- 8%) secretion. These data indicate that the suppression of FSH and LH secretion by T in males is due in part to a direct effect on the pituitary. The findings that T suppresses GnRH-stimulated FSH less than LH, and that T stimulates interpulse FSH, but not LH, provide evidence for differential regulation of FSH and LH secretion by T. The dissimilar actions of T on GnRH-stimulated pulses and interpulse gonadotropin secretion suggest that interpulse secretion is unrelated to stimulation by GnRH, although its physiological significance is unknown. Since E2, in physiological levels for males, increased pituitary FSH and LH secretion, the suppression of gonadotropin secretion by E2 in vivo in males may result from an effect on the hypothalamic pulse generator; however, additional studies are needed before extending these conclusions to higher mammals and men.     

Dexamethasone alters responses of pituitary gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptors, gonadotropin subunit messenger ribonucleic acids, and gonadotropins to pulsatile GnRH in male rats.

Dexamethasone (Dex), when administered in high doses, has been shown to suppress spontaneous and GnRH-induced gonadotropin secretion, but the level and the mechanism(s) of this effect are unknown. We administered Dex to castrate testosterone-replaced male rats to determine if gonadotropin gene expression is affected and whether Dex differentially influences GnRH-modulated parameters of gonadotrope function: induction of GnRH receptors (GnRH-R) and gonadotropin synthesis and secretion. GnRH was given iv at 25 ng/pulse at 8, 30, and 120 min intervals for 48 h. Rapid GnRH injection frequency preferentially increased alpha and LH-beta messenger RNA (mRNA) responses to GnRH as well as LH secretion. Slower GnRH injection frequencies were required to increase levels of GnRH-R, FSH-beta mRNA, and FSH secretion. Dex selectively inhibited the serum LH, alpha, and LH-beta mRNA responses to GnRH, but not the serum FSH or FSH-beta mRNA responses. Additionally, it augmented the GnRH-induced increase in GnRH-R. We conclude: 1) induction of GnRH-R, gonadotropin synthesis, and secretion require different modes of GnRH stimulation; 2) Dex acts directly on the gonadotrope to differentially modulate GnRH-induced increases in GnRH-R levels, gonadotropin gene expression, and gonadotropin secretion; and 3) GnRH effects upon induction of GnRH-R, LH, and FSH synthesis and secretion are likely to be mediated via different cellular pathways.     

Influence of adrenocorticotropin and adrenalectomy on gonadotropin secretion in immature rats

We examined the effects and mechanisms of action of ACTH and ACTH fragments on gonadotropin secretion in immature rats. ACTH administered by daily injection or continuous infusion (osmotic minipumps) attenuated the postcastration rise in serum LH. Pituitary LH concentration was either unchanged or increased in ACTH-treated rats and pituitary sensitivity to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) was reduced by ACTH treatment. A fragment of ACTH (ACTH 4-10), which is less steroidogenic, did not alter levels of serum LH, and ACTH did not reduce LH secretion in adrenalectomized castrates. Serum and pituitary concentrations of prolactin were normal in ACTH-treated animals. These studies demonstrate that the suppression of gonadotropin secretion by ACTH is mediated by the adrenal gland. This mechanism causes a decreased pituitary sensitivity to GnRH, but LH synthesis does not appear to be affected. Prolactin does not play a role in this mechanism.