The roles of activins, inhibins and estrogen in early committed follicles

The hypothesis that activin and inhibin are autocrine/paracrine mediators of ovarian folliculogenesis has a solid basis. In mouse and rat models, granulosa cells (GC) of committed follicles express mRNA and protein for the activin/inhibin subunits and mRNA for the activin receptors (type I and II)....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Molecular and cellular endocrinology 2000-05, Vol.163 (1), p.81-87
Main Authors: Findlay, J.K, Drummond, A.E, Britt, K.L, Dyson, M, Wreford, N.G, Robertson, D.M, Groome, N.P, Jones, M.E.E, Simpson, E.R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Activin
Activins
Animals
Estrogen
Estrogen receptors
Estrogens - biosynthesis
Estrogens - genetics
Estrogens - metabolism
Female
Granulosa cells
Inhibin
Inhibins - biosynthesis
Inhibins - genetics
Inhibins - metabolism
Knockout mouse models
Ovarian Follicle - metabolism
Ovarian Follicle - physiology
Postnatal rats
Receptors, Estrogen - biosynthesis
Receptors, Estrogen - genetics
Receptors, Estrogen - metabolism
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Summary:The hypothesis that activin and inhibin are autocrine/paracrine mediators of ovarian folliculogenesis has a solid basis. In mouse and rat models, granulosa cells (GC) of committed follicles express mRNA and protein for the activin/inhibin subunits and mRNA for the activin receptors (type I and II). Dimeric inhibin-A and -B are produced by postnatal ovarian cell dispersates and (GC) in culture. Similar levels of inhibin-A and -B are produced by postnatal ovarian cells, but thereafter as the ovary develops, inhibin-A becomes the predominant form. Activin was more effective than transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in enhancing follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)-stimulated inhibin production by ovarian cells. Evidence for a local regulatory role of estrogen in the ovary is also accumulating. Murine models of estrogen receptor (ERα or ERβ) disruption produce mice with abnormal ovarian phenotypes. Female mice, which lack the capacity to produce estrogen (ArKO mice), have arrested folliculogenesis, no corpora lutea, elevated levels of luteinising hormone (LH), FSH and testosterone and are infertile. These data are consistent with autocrine/paracrine actions of activin in the early growth of committed follicles and estrogen in follicular maturation.
ISSN:0303-7207
1872-8057
DOI:10.1016/S0303-7207(99)00243-9