Androgen receptor mRNA expression in the bovine ovary

• Published in: Domestic animal endocrinology 2004-07, Vol.27 (1), p.81-88
• Main Authors: Hampton, J.H, Manikkam, M, Lubahn, D.B, Smith, M.F, Garverick, H.A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Androgen receptor; Animals; AR mRNA expression; Base Sequence; Bovine ovary; Cattle; Cloning, Molecular; Estrous Cycle - physiology; Female; Granulosa Cells - metabolism; Molecular Sequence Data; Ovarian Follicle - cytology; Ovarian Follicle - metabolism; Receptors, Androgen - genetics; Receptors, Androgen - metabolism; RNA, Messenger - analysis; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid
• ISSN: 0739-7240; 1879-0054
• DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2004.01.005

Previous studies have shown that androgen receptor (AR) is expressed in granulosa cells of healthy, growing ovarian follicles in rats and primates. However, AR expression in the bovine ovary has not been examined. Therefore, a 346-base pair segment of the bovine AR was cloned and sequenced. Using a ribonuclease protection assay, AR expression was detected in total RNA from bovine ovarian cortex. Expression (absence or presence) of AR mRNA was detected by in situ hybridization in bovine ovarian cortex. Follicles ( n=32) were classified as follows: type 1 (1 layer of flattened granulosa cells), type 2 (1–1.5 layers of cuboidal granulosa cells), type 3 (2–3 layers of granulosa cells), type 4 (4–6 layers of cuboidal granulosa cells and formation of thecal layer), and type 5 (>6 layers of cuboidal granulosa cells, defined theca layer, and antrum formation). Frequency of AR mRNA expression increased ( P