Expression of melanocortin receptors mRNA, and direct effects of ACTH on steroid secretion in the bovine ovary

Ovarian localization of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11βHSD): effects of ACTH stimulation and its relationship with bovine cystic ovarian disease

“…Poor follicle development, reduced ovulation rates, and follicular cyst formation have been reported in association with ACTH treatment and increased concentrations of glucocorticoids [2][3][4][5]. Recently, we have confirmed the expression of ACTH receptors in bovine ovaries [6]. The fact that ACTH is able to induce steroid secretion from the ovary in vitro strongly indicates that ACTH could be involved in regulatory mechanisms related to ovarian function associated with ovulation, steroidogenesis, and luteal function [6].…”

“…Recently, we have confirmed the expression of ACTH receptors in bovine ovaries [6]. The fact that ACTH is able to induce steroid secretion from the ovary in vitro strongly indicates that ACTH could be involved in regulatory mechanisms related to ovarian function associated with ovulation, steroidogenesis, and luteal function [6].…”

“…The protocol for in vitro ACTH treatment has been previously applied to bovine follicular walls to determine the effect of ACTH on the release of steroid hormones in vitro [6]. Briefly, in a laminar flow hood, ovaries were rinsed, follicular fluid was aspirated, and large antral follicles or follicular cysts were taken with a scalpel and placed in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer, pH 7.4.…”

“…Although the ovary would not be able to produce glucocorticoids de novo [30], ACTH is able to stimulate cortisol secretion from cultured bovine follicular walls [6]. Moreover, the access of active cortisol to target tissues is regulated by the relative expression of two 11b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11bHSD) enzymes: a bidirectional 11bHSD type 1 (11bHSD1), which mainly activates corticosterone to cortisol, and 11bHSD type 2 (11bHSD2), which inactivates cortisol to cortisone [31,32].…”

Role of Glucocorticoids in Cystic Ovarian Disease: Expression of Glucocorticoid Receptor in the Bovine Ovary

“…Although it has not been demonstrated that the ovary is able to produce GCs de novo, we have demonstrated that ACTH is able to stimulate the secretion of cortisol in the follicular wall in culture [Amweg et al, 2011], induce steroid hormone secretion and produce changes in 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase expression by the ovary [Amweg et al, 2013], indicating that ACTH may be involved in regulatory mechanisms related to ovarian function associated with ovulation, ovarian steroidogenesis, luteal function and COD pathogenesis [Tetsuka, 2007;Amweg et al, 2011Amweg et al, , 2013.…”