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

Abstract

The aim of this study was to characterize the expression of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in the components of normal bovine ovary and in animals with cystic ovarian disease (COD). Changes in the protein and mRNA expression levels were determined in control cows and cows with COD by immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR. GR protein expression in granulosa cells was higher in cysts from animals with spontaneous COD and adrenocorticotropic hormone-induced COD than in tertiary follicles from control animals. In theca interna cells, GR expression was higher in cysts from animals with spontaneous COD than in tertiary follicles from control animals. The increase in GR expression observed in cystic follicles suggests a mechanism of action for cortisol and its receptor through the activation/inactivation of specific transcription factors. These factors could be related to the pathogenesis of COD in cattle.

Altered expression of cytokines IL-1α, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α in bovine follicular persistence

“…It has been postulated that one of the most important predisposing factors for COD and other reproductive diseases is stress [31,56]. Glucocorticoids, which are stress-induced hormones, have been described as anti-inflammatory agents that modulate the production of cytokines and prostaglandins in the different reproductive processes [56].…”

Alterations of Cortisol and Melatonin Production by the Theca Interna Cells of Porcine Cystic Ovarian Follicles

“…Additionally, there might be disruption of the internal follicular environment, which could also be a factor in the high expression of 11β-HSD2 [41]. In theca interna cells of cattle, GR expression was higher in spontaneous cystic ovarian follicles than in normal tertiary follicles [42]. The increase in GR and 11-HSD expression in cystic follicles could be related to the formation of follicle cysts in sows.…”

“…Here, during the formation of porcine follicular cysts, excess cortisol might have affected the mRNA expressions of StAR, CYP11A1, and 3β-HSD, resulting in abnormally elevated levels of progesterone in FF. LH is a necessary factor that triggers ovulation via the LHCGR [42]. Glucocorticoids influence the gonadal responsiveness to LH and the expression of LHCGR [49].…”

Histological classification of canine ovarian cyst types with reference to medical history

“…Ovarian cysts (OCs) of clinical relevance are commonly found in domestic animals [ 16 ] in which they cause gynecopathies [ 2 18 28 ] and hyperestrogenism [ 15 ]. OCs can originate from different ovarian structures and their development, frequency, and size varies across species [ 16 ].…”

“…The most common types are follicular cysts (FCs), cysts of subsurface epithelial structure (SES), cystic rete ovarii (CRO), lutein cysts (LCs), and cystic corpora lutea (CCL) [ 10 15 16 29 ]. While OCs and related gynecopathies are well characterized in sows [ 28 ] and cattle [ 2 ], the association of OC morphology based on histology and immunohistochemistry in relation to the clinical manifestation of the patient has rarely been investigated in dogs [ 4 6 ]. In particular, it should be noted, that histologically evaluated LCs in dogs have not been fully documented in recent reports [ 4 ].…”