|
|
||||||||
a Department of Animal Science, University of California, Davis, California 95616
The effect of stress-like concentrations of cortisol (C) on estrogen-dependent expression of GnRH receptor was evaluated using orchidectomized sheep (wethers; n = 6 animals per group). C (5.0 mg/50 kg per hour; groups 14) or a comparable volume of vehicle (groups 58) was delivered by continuous infusion for 48 h. During the final 24 h of infusion, animals received concurrent infusion of estradiol (E2) at rates of 0 (groups 1 and 5), 0.5 (groups 2 and 6), 2.0 (groups 3 and 7), or 8.0 (groups 4 and 8) µg/50 kg per hour. Pituitary tissue was collected at the end of infusion. Although C did not affect (p > 0.05) the basal concentration of GnRH receptor or GnRH receptor mRNA, it reduced (p < 0.05) the increase in receptor and receptor mRNA induced by concurrent administration of 0.5 µg E2/50 kg per hour. In contrast, the increase in GnRH receptor expression induced by higher levels of estrogen stimulation was not affected (p > 0.05) by concurrent administration of C. The effect of C on the temporal pattern of E2-dependent increase in GnRH receptor expression was assessed using wethers receiving E2 (0.5 µg/50 kg per hour) by continuous infusion for 0 (groups 1 and 5), 24 (groups 2 and 6), 48 (groups 3 and 7), or 72 h (groups 4 and 8). Animals received C (5.0 mg/50 kg per hour; groups 14) or vehicle (groups 58) beginning 24 h before, and continuing throughout, the E2 delivery period. Stress-like concentrations of C reduced (p < 0.05) the increase in GnRH receptor and receptor mRNA induced after 24 h of E2 stimulation. However, the suppressive effect of C was transient, and tissue levels of GnRH receptor and receptor mRNA were comparable after 72 h of E2 infusion in animals receiving C or vehicle alone. Collectively these observations demonstrate that C suppresses estrogen-dependent increase in tissue concentrations of GnRH receptor and receptor mRNA. However, this effect of C is transient and not evident in animals receiving moderate to high levels of estrogen stimulation. This transient suppression of GnRH receptor expression may account, at least in part, for the anti-gonadal effect of glucocorticoids.
2 Correspondence. FAX: 530 752 0175; teadams{at}ucdavis.edu
This article has been cited by other articles:
![]() |
K. M. Breen, T. L. Davis, L. C. Doro, T. M. Nett, A. E. Oakley, V. Padmanabhan, L. A. Rispoli, E. R. Wagenmaker, and F. J. Karsch Insight into the Neuroendocrine Site and Cellular Mechanism by which Cortisol Suppresses Pituitary Responsiveness to Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Endocrinology, February 1, 2008; 149(2): 767 - 773. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K. M. Breen, C. A. Stackpole, I. J. Clarke, A. V. Pytiak, A. J. Tilbrook, E. R. Wagenmaker, E. A. Young, and F. J. Karsch Does the Type II Glucocorticoid Receptor Mediate Cortisol-Induced Suppression in Pituitary Responsiveness to Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone? Endocrinology, June 1, 2004; 145(6): 2739 - 2746. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K. M. Breen and F. J. Karsch Does Cortisol Inhibit Pulsatile Luteinizing Hormone Secretion at the Hypothalamic or Pituitary Level? Endocrinology, February 1, 2004; 145(2): 692 - 698. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
N. Debus, K. M. Breen, G. K. Barrell, H. J. Billings, M. Brown, E. A. Young, and F. J. Karsch Does Cortisol Mediate Endotoxin-Induced Inhibition of Pulsatile Luteinizing Hormone and Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Secretion? Endocrinology, October 1, 2002; 143(10): 3748 - 3758. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. Y. Williams, T. G. Harris, D. F. Battaglia, C. Viguié, and F. J. Karsch Endotoxin Inhibits Pituitary Responsiveness to Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Endocrinology, May 1, 2001; 142(5): 1915 - 1922. [Abstract] [Full Text] |
||||
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |