Expression and Localization of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase in the Rat Ovary: A Possible Involvement of Nitric Oxide in the Follicular Development

In the present study, using Northern blot analysis, we demonstrated that the level of iNOS mRNA in the ovary of immature rats decreased after 6 h of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin administration and recovered gradually up to the untreated level 48 h after the administration. Bothin situhybridizati...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biochemical and biophysical research communications 1998-02, Vol.243 (1), p.67-72
Main Authors: Matsumi, Hirotaka, Yano, Tetsu, Koji, Takehiko, Ogura, Tsutomu, Tsutsumi, Osamu, Taketani, Yuji, Esumi, Hiroyasu
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Base Sequence
Cells, Cultured
Cytokines - pharmacology
DNA Primers - genetics
Female
Gene Expression
Gonadotropins, Equine - administration & dosage
granulosa cells
Granulosa Cells - drug effects
Granulosa Cells - metabolism
Immunohistochemistry
In Situ Hybridization
nitric oxide (NO)
nitric oxide synthase (NOS)
Nitric Oxide Synthase - genetics
Nitric Oxide Synthase - metabolism
Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
Ovarian Follicle - enzymology
Ovarian Follicle - physiology
ovarian follicles
Ovary - drug effects
Ovary - enzymology
Ovary - physiology
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Rats
Rats, Wistar
RNA, Messenger - genetics
RNA, Messenger - metabolism
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Summary:In the present study, using Northern blot analysis, we demonstrated that the level of iNOS mRNA in the ovary of immature rats decreased after 6 h of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin administration and recovered gradually up to the untreated level 48 h after the administration. Bothin situhybridization and immunohistochemistry revealed that iNOS mRNA and protein was predominantly localized in granulosa cells in most of immature follicles, but not in mature follicles with an antrum, which was a consistent finding regardless of gonadotropin treatment. Furthermore, we found that cultured granulosa cells had the ability to express iNOS mRNA in the presence of cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β and interferon-γ, which are inherently detectable in the ovary. These results raise the possibility that locally produced NO synthesized by iNOS may be involved in the developmental status of ovarian follicles in concert with gonadotropin.
ISSN:0006-291X
1090-2104
DOI:10.1006/bbrc.1997.8063