• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.677-681
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• 2000

Since the role of female sexual hormones on pancreatic exocrine secretion was not fully understood, this study was investigated to clarify the difference of spontaneous pancreatic exocrine responses during the estrous cycle and the roles of ovarian hormones on pancreatic exocrine secretion in the anesthetized female rats. Pancreatic juice was collected from the sequential 15-min samples, and then fluid and protein secretion were measured from the collected samples. The stages of estrous cycle were defined by staining the vaginal smear. The spontaneous pancreatic fluid and protein secretion were significantly increased during the diestrus stage compare to the corresponding value during the estrus stage. In the ovariectomized rat, spontaneous pancreatic exocrine secretion was significantly decreased compare to the value of female rat during the diestrus stage and was restored by subcutaneous injection of progesterone (50 mg/kg). This results suggest that the spontaneous pancreatic exocrine secretion of female rat is fluctuated according to the estrous cycle and progesterone released from ovary could stimulate the spontaneous pancreatic exocrine secretion of female rat.

• Applied Microscopy
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.75-85
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• 1995

The goal of the present study is to investigate the precise variation of tubulin substances in the cytoplasm of oviductal ciliated cells and the morphological changes in cytoplasmic organelles of ciliated cells for ciliogenesis by estrous cycles. The animals used in this study were female rat (Sprague Dawley strain), weighing approximately 200 gm. The ampulla oviducts of these animals (at each of estrous cycle) were rapidly excised. At each stage of estrous cycle, the tissues were used for immunocytochemical study and other were used for electron microscopical study. All specimens were observed by the light and electron microscope. The results obtained are as follows: 1. In the ciliated cells at proestrus, Golgi complex showed $5{\sim}7$ stacked cisternae with numerous saccules and vacuoles. Large amount of fibrous granules were located near the Golgi complex. But at metestrus and diestrus, few fibrous granules were seen. 2. A moderate number of rough endoplasmic reticulum and polyribosomes were scattered in the cytoplasm of ciliated cells at proestrus, but were decrease in number at metestrus and diestrus. 3. At proestrus and estrus, there were a large amount of vesicles in the apical cytoplasm of ciliated cells. 4. Numerous mitochondria were located in the apical cytoplasm at proestrus and estrus, but only a few at metestrus and diestrus. 5. At proestrus and estrus, tubulin substances showed strong reactions in the cytoplasm but weak reactions at metestrus and diestrus. It is suggested consequently that the ciliated cells of the rat oviducts showed no morphological changes of cilia but the ultrastructural organelles of the cells were changed in its shape and location during the entire estrous cycle.

• Development and Reproduction
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• 제6권2호
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• pp.123-129
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• 2002

Leptin, a product of the obese gene, is associated not only with obesity but also with female reproductive function, but it has not yet been ascertained whether leptin acts directly on the ovary or indirectly via the hypothalamus-pituitary pathway. Therefore, the object of this study was to investigate the expession of leptin and its receptor in the rat ovary by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR during the estrous cycle. Immunohistochemistry results showed that leptin was stained in the theca cells and in part of granulosa cells in atretic follicles, whereas leptin receptor was localized in the interstitial cells and ova in preantral follicies. In particular, leptin and its receptor in atretic follicles displayed more intensive staining compared to those in normal follicles. During the estrous cycle, the mRNA expression of leptin and its receptor in the ovary was detected by RT-PCR and estradiol, progesterone, and leptin levels in the serum was measured by ELISA. The leptin level in the serum on metestrous phase was significantly higher than that on estrous phase. Similar to leptin level, progesterone level increased on metestrous phase. Leptin mRNA was not detected throughout the estrous cycle, whereas leptin receptor mRNA was expressed on all phases of estrous cycle excepting the diestrous phase. These results suggest that leptin might be directly involved in the regulation of ovarian function in rat.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• 제33권2호
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• pp.183-190
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• 1990

The present study exarnines the physiological alteradons in prolactin (PRL) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and serum PRL levels during the rat estrous cycle and the effed of naloxone, an endogenous oploid peptide receptor antagonist, on PRL gene expression during the rat estrous cycle. Adult female rats exhibiting at least two consecutive 4-day estrous cycles were used in this study. A single injection of naloxone (2mg/kg b.w.) or saline was given sc 30 mm prior to decapitation. Animals were sacrificed at 10:00 h of each stage of the estrous cycle, and at 2-h intervals from 10:00 h to 20:00 h during the proestrus. PRL mRNA and serum PRL levels were determined by a RNA-blot hybridization with the rat PRL cDNA probe and by a PRL radjoimmunoassay, respectively. PRL mRNA and serum PRL levels were not dramatically altered in the morning of each stage of diestrus I, II and proestrus, and naloxone failed to modify the two parameters. During estrus naloxone clearly suppressed serum PRL levels, but it was unable to modify PRL mRNA levels. A more detailed examination of the proestrus stage revealed that PRL mRNA and serum PRL levels were fluctuated as a function of time: PRL mRNA levels reached a maximum level at 12:00 h and gradually decreased until 18:00 h. PRL mRNA levels then rose at 20:00 h. No difference of PRL mRNA levels between the control and naloxone-treated groups was observed. Changes in serum PRL levek during proestrus were conversely related to changes in PRL mRNA: serum PRL levels were low from 10:00 h to 14:00 h, then increased and reached a maximum level at 16:00-18:00 h. Following then, serum PRL levels were decreased. Naloxone was effective in suppressing the charaderistic afternoon surge of PRL from 16:00 h to 20:00 h. These data clearly showed that alterations in PRL mRNA levels were conversely correlated with changes mn serum PRL levels on proestrus, indicating a differential regulation of PRL gene expression and secretion.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.383-387
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• 1999

Objective: There is increasing evidence for the expression of rat in gene in several extrapituitary sites including testis and ovary. We also have demonstrated that the local LH expression in the rat epididymis and uterus, the major accessory sex organs in male and female reproductive system, respectively. Design: The present study was undertaken to elucidate whether the gene for LH receptor is expressed in rat uterus and whether the expressions of uterine LH and its receptor are differentially regulated during estrous cycle. Presence of the transcripts for rat LH receptor in the rat uterine tissue were confirmed by touchdown reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: In $LH{\beta}$ semi-quantitative RT-PCR, the highest expression level was shown in estrus stage. The level of ill receptor transcripts was also fluctuated during estrous cycle. In ovariectomized rats (OVX + Oil), the expressions of both uterine LH and LH-R were markedly reduced when compared to those from normal rats. Supplement with estradiol $17{\beta}$ to the ovariectomized rats (OVX + $E_2$) restored the expression levels of LH and its receptor to the levels in uteri from normal rats. Conclusion: Our findings indicated that 1) LH and its receptor gene are expressed in the rat uterus from cycling rats, 2) the expression of uterine LH and its receptor is mainly, if not all, under the control of ovarian sex steroid(s). These results suggested that the uterine LH may act as a local regulator with auto and/or paracrine manner, though the posibility that the pituitary LH may act directly on the regulation of uterine functions could not be discarded.

• Development and Reproduction
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.71-77
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• 2022

In response to luteinizing hormone (LH), a higher concentration of progesterone (P4) is produced in luteal cells of corpus luteum (CL). Mitochondria are an essential cellular organelle in steroidogenesis. The specific engagement of the concept regarding mitochondrial shaping with early stages of steroidogenesis was suggested in reproductive endocrine cells. Although the specific involvement of GTPase dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) with steroidogenesis has been demonstrated in luteal cells of bovine CL in vitro, its actual relationship with ovarian steroidogenesis during the estrous cycle remains unknown. In this study, while Fis1 and Opa1 protein levels did not show significant changes during the estrous cycle, Drp1, Mfn1, and Mfn2 proteins exhibited relatively lower levels at proestrus than at estrus or diestrus. 3β-HSD showed higher levels at proestrus than at estrus or diestrus. In addition, Drp1 phosphorylation (s637) was higher in proestrus than in estrus or diestrus. Immune-positive cells for Drp1, pDrp1 (s637), and 3β-HSD were all localized in the cytoplasm of luteal cells in the CL. The immune-positive cells for 3β-HSD were more frequently seen in the CL at proestrus than at estrus or diestrus. Immunoreactivity for Drp1 in luteal cells at proestrus was weaker than that at estrus or diestrus. However, pDrp1 (s637) immune-positive cells were mostly detected in luteal cells at proestrus. These results imply that steroidogenesis (P4 production) in the CL is closely related to phosphorylation of Drp1 at serine 637. Taken together, this study presents evidence that Drp1 phosphorylation at serine 637 is an important step in steroidogenesis in the CL.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.7-13
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• 1980

In the previous experiment, authors have shown that during the latter half of estrous cycle there was an increase in plasma testosterone level in the rats stimulated with hCG. To determine the physiologic significance of elevated plasma testosterone, changes of the plasma concentrations of TeBG and testosterone following hCG stimulation were analyzed in the rats having a regular 5 day cycle. The rats were divided into three groups; the control, the rats stimulated with single hCG on the day of proestrus and stimulated with hCG throughout the entire cycle. Blood samples were obtained once a day for an estrous cycle and analyzed for the binding capacity of TeBG using ammonium sulphate precipitation method and testosterone concentration by means of radioimmunoassay. Followings were the results; 1) There was no significant variation in the binding capacity of TeBG in peripheral blood during the estrous cycle of the control rats. 2) No cyclic variation in the binding capacity of TeBG was observed in the rats stimulated with single hCG on proestrus. although the levels tended to be higher in the rats with stimulation than in the control rats. 3) Continual stimulation of hCG produced a marked increase in the binding capacity of TeBG especially on the day of metaestrus. 4) The changes in the plasma level of testosterone followed the same basic pattern seen in the TeBG binding capacity. 5) From above results, the followings were suggested. a. hCG related increase of the binding capacity of TeBG is probably secondary to a modest increase in estrogen as well. b. hCG related increase of plasma testosterone in female rats is not entirely due to excess production rather in part due to decreased metabolism induced by the rise in TeBG. c. It seems likely that most of elevated testosterone shown in the rat stimulated with hCG is bound to TeBG and only small portion is unbound form which influence cellular activity. It is rather possible that an increase in TeBG could augment estrogen activity.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.189-197
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• 2006

Prolactin (PRL) is a pituitary hormone involved in various physiological processes, including lactation, mammary development, and immune function. To further investigate the in vivo and comparative endocrine roles of PRL, mouse PRL cDNA fused to the cytomegalovirus promoter, was introduced into muscle by direct injection. Previously we studied the function of rat PRL using the same protocol. PRL mRNA was detected in the muscle following injection by RT-PCR and subsequent Southern blot analysis. PRL was also detected and Western blot analysis revealed a relatively high level of serum PRL. In the pCMV-mPRL-injected female mice, the estrous cycle was extended, especially in diestrus stage and the uterus thickening that was shown in normal estrous stage was not observed. In the pCMV-mPRL-injected male mice, new blood vessels were first found at 5 weeks of age and fully developed blood vessels were found after 8 weeks in the testis. The number of Leydig cells increased within the testis and the testosterone level in serum was observed high. Finally, the number of white blood cells (WBCs) increased in the pCMV-mPRL-injected mice. The augmentation of WBCs persisted for at least 20 days after injection. When injection was combined with adrenalectomy, there was an even greater increase in number of WBCs, especially lymphocytes. This increase was returned normal by treatment with dexamethansone. Taken together, our data reveal that intramuscularly expressed mouse PRL influences reproductive functions in female, induces formation of new blood vessels in the testis, and augments WBC numbers. Of notice is that the Leydig cell proliferation with increased testosterone was conspicuously observed in the pCMV-mPRL-injected mice. These results also suggest subtle difference in function of PRL between mouse and rat species.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.95-103
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• 1999

This experiment was conducted to investigate how the lactation regulation such as restricted-lactation and early weaning during the suckling period influences on ovarian functions and change in serum levels of progesterone in primiparous rats. All the rats were raised in the individual cage from a few days before parturition through the suckling period. The normal lactation(NL) groups were controled 8 pups. The restricted-lactation(RL) and weaned(W) groups were subdivided into 5 subgroups as RL0, RL5, RL10, RL15 and RL20 as well as W0, W5, W10, W15, and W20 according to the day of onset of suckling. The number of pups were regulated from 8 to 4 on experimental strating day in RL gropus, and also perfectly weaned on the each on-set day in W groups. The results obtained were summarized as follows: 1. During the whole suckling period of 25 days the pups in RL group grew significantly(P＜005) faster than those in normal-lactation(NL) group. The pups in earlier RL group grew significantly(P＜0.05) faster than those in later RL rats, and there was no found any significant difference in body weight of pups between RL20 and NL group. The gestation period and litter size were found to be 21.53$\pm$0.04 days and 13.75$\pm$0.07, respectively. 2. The estrous cycle was not expressed in the NL group through the whole suckling period. An irregular estrous cycle was found around day 20 in RL0 group, and the regular estrous cycles were exhibited continuously from day 10 in the day 0 weaned rats. 3. In the rats of NL group the serum progesterone concentration increased from 33.16$\pm$2.64ng/$m\ell$ on day 0 to 122.5$\pm$53.68 ng/$m\ell$ on day 10, and then decreased slightly to 97.30$\pm$3.21 ng/$m\ell$ on day 20, but then decreased abruptly. However, the serum level of progesterone decreased greatly(P＜0.05) in 5 to 10 days following suckling restriction in the rats from which suckling began to be under restriction on day 0 or day 15. In the early weaning group the significant ( (P＜0.05) decrease in progesterone concentration was found similarly in 48 hours following weaning in all the rats weaned on day 0 through day 20. It was suggested that lactation stimulation is a very pivotal on the function of ovary.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.121-130
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• 1994

Expression of gonadotropin releasing hormone(GnRH) has been described in the rat ovary. It remains, however, unkown whether GnRH is synthesized as a prohormone. Therefore, this study was performed to verify the expression of pro-GnRH by in situ hybridization and further to investigate the effect of gonadotropin on GnRH or GnRH mRNA in rat ovary by immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization techniques. Adult female Sprague-Dawely rats were used and the estrous cycle was synchronized by intraperitoneal injection of pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin(PMSG). Ovaries were fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde and embedded with G.C.T. compound and cut by cryostat. For immunohistochemistry, avidin-biotin peroxidase complex(ABS) method was employed and for in situ hybridization, $^{35}S$-end labeled oligonucleotide was used and followed by autoradiography. By in situ hybridization using GnRH oligomer and GAP(GnRH associated protein) oligomer, GnRH mRNA and GAP mRNA were co-localized in the fullicular cells, luteal cells, interstitial cells and theca cells. GnRH or GnRH mRNA signals in the ovary increased by human chorionic gonadotropin(hCG) injection. At the 3 and 6 hrs after hCG injection, the number of GnRH and GnRH mRNA containing cells increased rapidly and the density of GnRH and GnRH mRHA culminated at 9 hrs after heG injection. With the follicular development, the high expression of GnRH and GnRH mRNA was also observed within the follicles. After ovulation, the density of GnRH or GnRH mRNA decreased in the follicles but increased in the corpus lutea.