Steroid concentrations in isolated theca and granulosa layers of preovulatory follicles during the ovulatory cycle of the domestic hen [Chickens, reproduction]

• Published in: Biology of reproduction Vol. 29; no. 2; pp. 326 - 334
• Main Authors: Bahr, J.M, Wang, S.C, Huang, M.Y, Calvo, F.O
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Madison, WI Society for the Study of Reproduction 01-09-1983
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Chickens - metabolism; Estradiol - analysis; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gonadal Steroid Hormones - analysis; Granulosa Cells - analysis; Luteinizing Hormone - physiology; Non mammalian vertebrate reproduction; Ovarian Follicle - physiology; Progesterone - analysis; Proteins - analysis; Testosterone - analysis; Theca Cells - analysis; Vertebrates: reproduction; Theca folliculi; Preovulation; Estradiol; Testosterone; Vertebrata; Ovulatory cycle; Chicken; Steroidogenesis; Hormonal investigation; Granulosa; Progesterone; Aves; Sex steroid hormone; Ovarian follicle
• ISSN: 0006-3363; 1529-7268
• DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod29.2.326

The purpose of the present investigation was to measure the concentrations of progesterone (P4), testosterone (T) and estradiol-17
beta (E2) in isolated theca and granulosa layers of the five preovulatory follicles of the domestic hen. The largest follicle
(F1), the second largest (F2), third largest (F3), fourth largest (F4) and fifth largest (F5) follicles were removed at 24,
18, 12, 6 and 2 h before the expected ovulation. Theca and granulosa layers were isolated and P4, T, E2 and protein concentrations
determined. Protein concentrations of the granulosa and theca layers increased 5- and 15-fold, respectively, during the five
ovulatory cycles prior to ovulation. As the follicle approached ovulation, there was a linear decrease in E2 concentration
of the theca layer with the most significant decrease (P less than 0.001) occurring between 24 and 18 h of the ovulatory cycle.
In the F3 and F4 theca layers, there was a significant increase (P less than 0.005) in E2 at 6 h of the ovulatory cycle. Fluctuations
in T concentrations in theca and granulosa layers were similar. There was a significant increase (P less than 0.05) in T in
both layers of the F2, F3 and F4 follicles at 6 h followed by a decrease (P less than 0.005) in the theca layers at 2 h of
the ovulatory cycle. The P4 concentration of the granulosa layer increased gradually during follicular maturation, with the
greatest increase occurring in the F2 and F1 granulosa layers between 18 and 12 h of the ovulatory cycle.