HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 69/3/947    most recent biolreprod.103.015446v1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal My Folders Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Whale, L. J. Articles by Juengel, J. L. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Whale, L. J. Articles by Juengel, J. L. Agricola Articles by Whale, L. J. Articles by Juengel, J. L.

Determination of Steroidogenic Potential of Ovarian Cells of the Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)¹

AgResearch, Wallaceville Animal Research Centre, Upper Hutt, New Zealand

The ovary of the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) secretes steroids; however, little is known about the identity of the steroidogenic cells in the ovary. The aim of the present study was to determine the identity of the ovarian cell types expressing mRNAs encoding proteins important for steroidogenesis and determine at what stage of follicular development they are expressed. The genes examined were those for steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), cytochrome P450 side chain cleavage (P450_scc), 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/⁵,⁴ isomerase (3ßHSD), cytochrome P45017hydroxylase (P45017OH), and P450 aromatase (P450_arom). None of the genes examined were expressed in oocytes at any stage of follicular development. SF-1 was expressed in granulosa cells from the type 2 or the primary stage of development and thereafter to the preovulatory stage. In addition, the theca interna of small and medium-size antral but not preovulatory follicles and the interstitial glands and corpora lutea expressed SF-1 mRNA. Granulosa cells of preantral and small to medium-size antral follicles were not capable of synthesizing steroids from cholesterol because they did not contain P450_scc mRNA. However, granulosa cells of many of the small to medium-size antral follicles expressed P450_arom and 3ßHSD mRNA. The interstitial glands, theca interna, and corpus luteum expressed StAR, P450_scc, 3ßHSD, and P45017OH mRNA, suggesting that these tissues are capable of synthesizing progestins and androgens. The corpus luteum expressed P450_arom, indicating that this tissue also has the potential to secrete estrogens in this species.

¹ This research was supported by the New Zealand Foundation for Research, Science and Technology.

² Correspondence: Jennifer Juengel, Wallaceville Animal Research Centre, Ward St., P.O. Box 40063, Upper Hutt, New Zealand. FAX: 64 4 922 1380; jenny.juengel{at}agresearch.co.nz

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J L Crawford, D A Heath, L J Haydon, B P Thomson, and D C Eckery Gene expression and secretion of LH and FSH in relation to gene expression of GnRH receptors in the brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) demonstrates highly conserved mechanisms Reproduction, January 1, 2009; 137(1): 129 - 140. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J L Crawford, B P Thomson, M F Beaumont, and D C Eckery Plasma concentrations of prolactin in brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) in different physiological states. J. Endocrinol., August 1, 2006; 190(2): 295 - 305. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]