Biol Reprod Keystone Symposia Conference on Frontiers in Reproductive Biology & Regulation of Fertility.
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

BOR - Papers in Press, published online ahead of print January 21, 2004.
Biol Reprod 2004, 10.1095/biolreprod.103.024331
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (Rapid PDF)
Right arrow All Versions of this Article:
70/5/1493    most recent
biolreprod.103.024331v1
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Author home page(s):
Karl Kuchler
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Schuster, M. K
Right arrow Articles by Kuchler, K.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Schuster, M. K
Right arrow Articles by Kuchler, K.
Agricola
Right arrow Articles by Schuster, M. K
Right arrow Articles by Kuchler, K.
Submitted October 15, 2003
Returned for revision November 10, 2003
Accepted January 15, 2004

Ovary


Activin A and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Control Tight Junctions in Avian Granulosa Cells By Regulating Occludin Expression

Michael K Schuster , Bernhard Schmierer , Alena Shkumatava , and Karl Kuchler *

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: karl.kuchler{at}univie.ac.at.

Abstract
Within the avian ovarian follicle, the oocyte is surrounded by a monolayer of granulosa cells, which exhibit pronounced epithelial properties. Here we demonstrate the presence of the major tight junction protein occludin in granulosa cells. As shown by immunohistochemistry, occludin localizes to the oocyte-facing granulosa cell surface. Occludin and thus tight junctions are dynamically regulated in a developmental stage-specific manner. Small white follicles, which have not yet started yellow yolk incorporation, show pronounced occludin expression in vitro and in vivo. By contrast, yellow yolk-incorporating small yellow follicles, exhibit much lower levels of occludin, and hierarchical, pre-ovulatory follicles are virtually devoid of this essential tight junction component. Using a primary granulosa cell culture system, we demonstrate that concerted action of two well-established ovarian growth regulators, follicle-stimulating hormone and activin A, leads to strong induction of occludin expression in vitro. We suggest that the stage-dependent decrease in the granulosa cell growth factor responsiveness triggers the disruption of tight junctions, enabling rapid and high capacity transport of macromolecules into the oocyte through a paracellular pathway. Such a high-capacity transport for yolk components may represent a crucial prerequisite for rapid oocyte growth once follicles have entered the follicular hierarchy.

Key words: Ovary • Activin • Follicle-stimulating hormone • Granulosa cells • Ovulation


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Reproductive SciencesHome page
H. A. Adissu, E. K. Asem, and S. A. Lelievre
Three-Dimensional Cell Culture to Model Epithelia in the Female Reproductive System
Reproductive Sciences, December 1, 2007; 14(8_suppl): 11 - 19.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 Poult. Sci.Home page
J. B. Hoffman, A. P. Benson, V. L. Christensen, B. D. Fairchild, and A. J. Davis
Follicular Development and Expression of the Messenger Ribonucleic Acid for the Inhibin/Activin Subunits in Two Genetic Lines of Turkey Hens that Differ in Total Egg Production
Poult. Sci., May 1, 2007; 86(5): 944 - 952.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 ReproductionHome page
T. Sato, Y. Kanai, T. Noma, M. Kanai-Azuma, S. Taya, T. Matsui, M. Ishii, H. Kawakami, M. Kurohmaru, K. Kaibuchi, et al.
A close correlation in the expression patterns of Af-6 and Usp9x in Sertoli and granulosa cells of mouse testis and ovary
Reproduction, November 1, 2004; 128(5): 583 - 594.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH
Copyright © 2004 by the Society for the Study of Reproduction.