Differential Steroid Production between Theca Interna and Theca Externa Cells: A Three-Cell Model for Follicular Steroidogenesis in Avian Species*

Porter, Tom E.; Hargis, Billy M.; Silsby, J.L.; Halawani, Mohamed E. El

doi:10.1210/endo-125-1-109

Cited by 119 publications

(62 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Ovarian stroma was also collected from the ovarian cortical tissue. The outer connective tissue surrounding the surface of each follicle was removed, and theca and granulosa layers were isolated separately from the follicles as described previously (Porter et al 1989). For the POF sample, only the theca layer was isolated.…”

Section: Experimental Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in the expression of gallinacins, antimicrobial peptides, in ovarian follicles during follicular growth and in response to lipopolysaccharide in laying hens (Gallus domesticus)

Subedi¹,

Isobe²,

Nishibori³

et al. 2007

Reproduction

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The aim of this study was to identify the types of gallinacin genes (GALs) expressed in ovarian follicles and to determine the changes in their expression during follicular growth and in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Follicles at different stages of growth were collected from laying hens (nZ5) and LPS-injected hens (nZ3). The expression of GALs in the theca and granulosa layers was examined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The expression of GAL-1, -2, -7, -8, -10, and -12 in the theca layer and GAL-1, -8, -10, and -12 in the granulosa layer was identified in white and yellow follicles. The expression of these genes was not changed in the theca and granulosa layers during follicular growth except for a decrease in that of GAL-1 in theca. The expression of GAL-1, -7, and -12 in the theca layer of the third largest follicles was increased in response to LPS at a dose of 1 mg/kg body weight and this increase was induced within 3 h and maintained until 12h postinjection. Granulosa layers did not respond to LPS until 12h injection. These results show that six and four types of GALs are expressed in the theca and granulosa layers of healthy follicles respectively, and their levels do not change with follicular growth except for GAL-1 in theca. Elevated levels of GAL-1, -7, and -12 expression in theca in response to LPS suggest that the theca cells expressing these GALs function to eliminate LPS-containing bacteria.

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Section: Experimental Designmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in the expression of gallinacins, antimicrobial peptides, in ovarian follicles during follicular growth and in response to lipopolysaccharide in laying hens (Gallus domesticus)

Subedi¹,

Isobe²,

Nishibori³

et al. 2007

Reproduction

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“…In female birds, the ovary is the main source of sexual steroids, and the three cell theory suggests that the granulosa cells are the predominant source of gestagens, which are used by the theca interna to produce androgens, which are subsequently metabolised to estrogens by the theca externa (Porter et al, 1989). During the course of follicular maturation the steroidogenic capacity of the cells changes, which results in the production of different amounts of hormones during egg development.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gestagens and glucocorticoids in chicken eggs

Rettenbacher

Möstl

Groothuis

2009

General and Comparative Endocrinology

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a b s t r a c tAvian eggs contain a variety of steroid hormones, which have been attributed as a tool for maternal phenotypic engineering. The majority of studies focuses on androgens, but also significant amounts of progesterone as well as other steroid hormones have been measured. The question if corticosterone is also present in eggs of chickens is currently under debate. The only analytical validation performed so far has failed to demonstrate corticosterone in the yolk of chickens, suggesting that antibodies for corticosterone measurement cross-react with other steroids present in the yolk. In order to investigate this assumption and to characterise potential cross-reacting hormones in more detail, we performed high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analyses of chicken yolk extracts and determined the concentration of immunoreactive corticosterone, progesterone and cortisol.The progesterone antibody revealed several immunoreactive substances, including progesterone, pregnenolone and two substances with lower polarity. The corticosterone enzyme immunoassay detected immunoreactive substances at exactly the same elution positions as the progesterone assay and a very small peak at the elution position of corticosterone. Immunoreactive cortisol was not found. In addition, inner and outer regions of the yolk sphere were analysed separately via HPLC. We found different concentrations of immunoreactive substances between the inner and outer yolk regions, probably reflecting the steroidogenic activity of the follicle cells during oocyte growth. We conclude that in homogenised yolk extracts without previous clean-up, the measured corticosterone concentrations may actually reflect those of progesterone and its precursors, most probably being 5a-and 5b-pregnanes and pregnenolone.

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“…The theca interna, however, contains many capillaries and cell clusters, which, due to their lipid granule content and rounded appearance, have been called thecal gland cells (28). These cells have been reported to be the main site of the production of progesterone and testosterone (29) and of alkaline phosphatase in the follicle (30). In sharp contrast to the theca externa, intercellular spaces of the interna are less well structured and contain only a few scattered collagen fibrils.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chicken Coagulation Factor XIIIA Is Produced by the Theca Externa and Stabilizes the Ovarian Follicular Wall

Recheis

Osanger

Haubenwallner

et al. 2000

Journal of Biological Chemistry

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Development of the follicle in egg-laying species such as the chicken is regulated by systemic factors as well as by the highly orchestrated interplay of differentially expressed genes within this organ. Differential mRNA display analysis of defined phases of follicle development resulted in the characterization of coagulation factor XIIIA. It is expressed and produced by cells of the theca externa in a highly regulated manner during distinct growth phases of the follicle. Transcripts for factor XIIIA are already detectable at the beginning of follicle development and peak at the end of phase 2. Protein levels, however, still increase during phase 3, peak shortly after ovulation, and persist until the postovulatory tissue is completely resorbed. Factor XIIIA is secreted as a monomer into the extracellular matrix of the theca externa and is not associated with factor XIIIB as is the case in plasma. Our data suggest that, due to its transglutaminase activity, factor XIIIA stabilizes the follicular wall by cross-linking matrix components. Thus, coagulation factor XIIIA might play a key role in coping with the massive mechanical stress exerted by the large amount of yolk accumulating during the rapid growth phase of the oocyte.Reproduction in the mature hen depends on the coordinate differentiation and growth of oocytes. In the case of the domesticated chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus), fully developed oocytes are laid as eggs every 25 h. The oocytes develop in follicles, highly specialized structures of the ovary consisting of the oocyte proper in the center of the follicle, surrounded by concentric layers of cells, acellular material, and structures, including the perivitelline membrane (the equivalent of the zona pellucida in mammals), granulosa cells, a basement membrane, and the thecae interna and externa (1). Development of follicles can be divided into three major phases (for review see Ref.2). Phase 1 is characterized by a very slow growth of follicles lasting for several months. At the end of this period, numerous follicles have reached a diameter of 2-3 mm; the oocytes within these follicles do not contain significant amounts of bona fide yolk (these follicles are referred to herein as small white follicles). During phase 2, some of these follicles develop further and reach a diameter of approximately 6 mm after 60 days. Due to yolk deposition into the oocyte, these follicles acquire a yellow appearance (here termed small yellow follicles). Finally, single follicles are selected from the pool of small yellow follicles every 25 h (synchronous with the ovulation cycle) and enter the rapid growth phase, which leads to mature follicles with a diameter of approximately 35 mm within 7 days. The fully developed oocyte is expelled from the follicle by ovulation and enters the oviduct, where egg formation starts. After ovulation, the remaining structure of the follicle, termed postovulatory follicle (POF), 1 consists of the granulosa cells, basement membrane, and theca layers. The POF collapses, but stays metaboli...

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Differential Steroid Production between Theca Interna and Theca Externa Cells: A Three-Cell Model for Follicular Steroidogenesis in Avian Species*

Cited by 119 publications

References 25 publications

Changes in the expression of gallinacins, antimicrobial peptides, in ovarian follicles during follicular growth and in response to lipopolysaccharide in laying hens (Gallus domesticus)

Changes in the expression of gallinacins, antimicrobial peptides, in ovarian follicles during follicular growth and in response to lipopolysaccharide in laying hens (Gallus domesticus)

Gestagens and glucocorticoids in chicken eggs

Chicken Coagulation Factor XIIIA Is Produced by the Theca Externa and Stabilizes the Ovarian Follicular Wall

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