Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Receptor and Its Messenger Ribonucleic Acid Are Present in the Bovine Cervix and Can Regulate Cervical Prostanoid Synthesis1

Abstract

The hypothesis that FSH regulates the bovine cervical prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) synthesis that is known to be associated with cervical relaxation and opening at the time of estrus was investigated. Cervical tissue from pre-estrous/estrous, luteal, and postovulatory cows were examined for 1) the presence of bovine (b) FSH receptor (R) and its corresponding mRNA and 2) the effect of FSH on the PGE(2) regulatory pathway in vitro. The presence of bFSHR mRNA in the cervix (maximal during pre-estrus/estrus) was demonstrated by the expression of a reverse transcription (RT) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product (384 base pairs) specific for bFSHR mRNA and sequencing. Northern blotting revealed three transcripts (2.5, 3.3, and 3.8 kilobases [kb]) in cervix from pre-estrous/estrous cows. The level of FSHR (75 kDa) was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in Western blots of pre-estrous/estrous cervix than in other cervical tissues. There was a good correlation between the 75-kDa protein expression and its corresponding transcript of 2.55 kb throughout the estrous cycle as described by Northern blot analysis as well as RT-PCR. Incubation of FSH (10 ng/ml) with pre-estrous/estrous cervix resulted in a 3-fold increase in the expression of FSHR and a 2-fold increase in both G protein (alpha(s)) and cyclooxygenase II. FSH (5-20 ng/ml) significantly increased (p < 0.01) cAMP, inositol phosphate (p < 0.01), and PGE(2) (p < 0.01) production by pre-estrous/estrous cervix but not by cervix at the other stages. We conclude that bovine cervix at the time of the peripheral plasma FSH peak (pre-estrus/estrus) contains high levels of FSHR and responds to FSH by increasing the PGE(2) production responsible for cervical relaxation at estrus.

FSH stimulates lipid biosynthesis in chicken adipose tissue by upregulating the expression of its receptor FSHR

“…Consistent with the classic roles of FSH in steroidogenesis ( 19 ), Fshr is mainly expressed in the reproductive system (13)(14)(15)(16)(17). The receptor is also expressed in some nonreproductive organs and tissues ( 18,20 ) where it plays roles in regulating the development of the skeletal system and others (21)(22)(23)(24).…”

Extragonadal LH/hCG action—Not yet time to rewrite textbooks

“…Reports on extragonadal FSH-Rs are fewer, but there are reports on their presence in the bovine cervix, suggesting for them a role in the relaxation and opening of this structure (Mizrachi and Shemesh, 1999). Moreover, extrapituitary GnRH receptors have been found, and a role has been suggested for them as autocrine/paracrine regulators in the embryo-endometrial interaction during implantation (Raga et al, 1998).…”

A study on co-localization of FSH and its receptor in rat hippocampus

“…Its functions are also beyond reproduction. Besides expressed in gonad, FSH receptor also exists in uterine tubal epithelium (Zheng et al 1996) and cervix (Mizrachi and Shemesh 1999).…”