BACKGROUND Activin A increases production of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) by inducing transcription of its beta subunit (FSHB). This induction has been studied here in LbetaT2 gonadotropes using transient expression of ovine FSHBLuc (-4741 bp of ovine FSHB promoter plus exon/intron 1 linked to Luc). Several sequences between -169/-58 bp of the ovine FSHB proximal promoter are necessary fo...

The three-dimensional configuration assumed by a polypeptide chain occurs spontaneously, with or without the participation of molecular chaperones, and is due to the combined interactions of the amino acids in the chain. In the case of disulphide-bond containing proteins, one or more enzymes catalyse the random cleavage and correct reformation of nascent protein disulphide bonds, e.g. protein d...

The oocyte-secreted polypeptide growth factors, growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15, also known as GDF9B) have both been shown to be essential for ovarian follicular growth and function. The effects of murine (m) and ovine (o) GDF9 as well as oBMP15, alone or together, on 3H-thymidine uptake and progesterone and inhibin production by granulosa cells f...

In the rat pituitary, activin stimulates whereas inhibin prevents FSH synthesis and secretion. Besides, the activin binding protein follistatin neutralizes the action of activin. The control of the FSH secondary surge at early estrus is not completely understood. To investigate the regulation of the inhibin/activin alpha-, betaA- and betaB-subunits and follistatin mRNA expression in the pituita...

Background: Follicle stimulating hormone is a heterodimeric protein composed of two subunits, α and ß, which are linked noncovalently. The hypophysial gonadotropin FSH plays an important role in the regulation of oocyte maturation, and a key component for growth of ovulator follicles in ewes. Materials and Methods: This study seeks to clone and express the ovine follicle stimulating hormone sub...

Hypophysectomy performed at any stage of pregnancy has been reported to be deleterious for maintenance of gestation in the hamster (Greenwald, 1967). On the basis of his observation that a combination of follicle stimulating hormone (fsh) and prolactin could maintain pregnancy in hypophysectomized pregnant hamsters, Greenwald (1967) suggested that the luteotrophic complex in this animal is made...

The role of the neuropeptide kisspeptin (Kp) in mammalian reproduction is well established. Nevertheless, species-specific differences exist. In horse, administration shortest endogenous Kp isoform, Kp10, unable to trigger ovulation even though it increases plasma gonadotropins concentrations. To check if this issue would be dependent on Kp10 short half-life, we tested two degradation-resistant...

The majority of ovarian cancers (>90%) are believed to derive from the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE); a single layer covering the entire surface of the ovary. At ovulation, the OSE cell layer undergoes an inflammatory response, involving cell death and growth, in order to overcome ovarian surface rupture. Abnormalities during these processes are believed to contribute to the development of t...

This paper reviews the recent advances that have occurred in the area of development of a male contraceptive vaccine. The vaccine candidates considered for review are hormone/hormone receptor-based proteins including luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH)/LH, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), as well as LH and FSH receptor proteins. The review also highlights the advances in our basic u...

The effect of FSH on the development of the testis in the ram lamb was examined in two experiments where lambs were passively immunized against ovine beta-FSH from birth until 100 or 160 d. In both experiments, immunization resulted in a slower testicular growth relative to that of controls. This effect became apparent at around the start of the period of rapid testicular growth (60-70 d of age...