Adenylyl cyclase system of the small preovulatory follicles of the domestic hen: responsiveness to follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone

• Published in: Biology of reproduction Vol. 29; no. 3; pp. 542 - 547
• Main Authors: CALVO, F. O, BAHR, J. M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Madison, WI Society for the Study of Reproduction 01-01-1983
• Subjects: Adenylyl Cyclases - analysis; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Chickens; Female; Follicle Stimulating Hormone - pharmacology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Granulosa Cells - drug effects; Hormone metabolism and regulation; Luteinizing Hormone - pharmacology; Mammalian female genital system; Ovarian Follicle - drug effects; Ovarian Follicle - enzymology; Ovulation; Vertebrates: reproduction; Gonadotropin; Glycoprotein hormone; Ripening; Adenylate cyclase; Ovary; Vertebrata; Sensitivity; Female genital system; FSH; Chicken; Aves; LH; Ovarian follicle
• ISSN: 0006-3363; 1529-7268
• DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod29.3.542

The purpose of this study was to determine if the granulosa cells of the small preovulatory follicles of the domestic hen
are a target tissue for follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). The third largest (F3), fourth largest (F4), and fifth largest
(F5) follicles were removed from hens at 20, 12, 6 and 2 h before ovulation of the F1 follicle. Basal, FSH- and luteinizing
hormone (LH)-stimulable adenylyl cyclase (AC) activities were measured in the granulosa cells. Isolated granulosa cells of
the F5 follicle, obtained 20 h before ovulation of the F1 follicle, were incubated with ovine (o) or turkey (t) FSH and progesterone
(P4) was assayed in the medium. Basal AC activity was similar for F5, F4 and F3 granulosa cells except for an increase (P
less than 0.01) in F3 follicles removed 2 h before ovulation of the F1 follicle. The FSH-stimulable AC activity of F5, F4
and F3 granulosa cells was elevated over basal (P less than 0.01). The greatest responsiveness was seen in the F5 follicle
and the least in the F3 follicle. LH-stimulable AC activity was absent in the F5 follicle but present in the F4 and F3 follicles
with the greater responsiveness in the F3 follicle. Isolated F5 granulosa cells secreted significant amounts of P4 in response
to oFSH and tFSH. The data indicate that: 1) FSH stimulates the AC system of granulosa cells of the smaller preovulatory follicles
(F5 greater than F4 greater than F3) while LH stimulates the AC system of granulosa cells of the larger follicles (F3 greater
than F4), and 2) FSH promotes P4 production by granulosa cells of F5 follicles.