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Booroola ewes possess a major gene, FecB^B, that influences their ovulation rate (number of ovulations per oestrous cycle). Homozygous (BB) carriers of the FecB^B gene have higher plasma concentrations of FSH and sometimes LH relative to the non-carriers (++). The aim of this study was to determine whether the plasma concentration differences in FSH or LH between the genotypes were due to a greater number of FSHβ-or LHβ-immunostaining cells in the anterior pituitary gland of BB ewes during the luteal phase of the oestrous cycle. No differences were found between the BB (n = 7) ewes and ++ (n = 8) ewes in total number of pituitary cells, pituitary volume, numbers or diameters of FSHβ- or LHβ-immunostaining cells, notwithstanding significantly higher concentrations of immunoreactive plasma FSH (P < 0.001) but not LH in BB compared with ++ animals. Significant linear relationships were found within each genotype between plasma FSH and number of FSHβ-immunostaining cells. No such relationship was found for plasma LH and number of LHβ cells. For the FSH relationship, the slopes of the regression lines were the same. It is hypothesized that the differences in plasma concentration of FSH between the genotypes is due to a greater output of FSH per pituitary cell in the BB animals.

Summary. Spermatozoa from the ductus deferens of a naked-tail armadillo, Cabassous unicinctus, were arranged in rouleaux. The sperm heads were wafer-thin, with the acrosome and nucleus flattened together. Dense subacrosomal material in the equatorial segment of the acrosomal region was present on one surface but not on the other.

In eutherian mammals, the gonadotrophins (LH and FSH) are synthesized and stored in gonadotroph cells under the regulation of multiple mechanisms including GnRH. Very little is known about the regulation of gonadotrophin secretion and storage in pituitary glands of marsupials. This study revealed, using quantitative PCR and heterologous RIA techniques, that LHB mRNA expression levels remained constant over the oestrous cycle, regardless of the presence of a preovulatory LH surge, which is characteristic of a hormone secreted under regulation. Our sampling regime was unable to detect pulses of LH during the follicular phase, although GNRHR mRNA levels had increased at this time. Pulses of LH were, however, detected in the luteal phase of cycling females, in anoestrus females and in males. There was a positive correlation between gene expression of FSHB and plasma levels of FSH at different stages of the oestrous cycle and no pulses of FSH were detected at any time; all characteristics of a hormone secreted via the constitutive pathway. Using in situ hybridisation and immunohistochemistry methods, we determined that mRNA expression of LHB and FSHB, and protein storage of gonadotrophins exhibited a similar pattern of localisation within the pituitary gland. Additionally, sexual dimorphism of gonadotroph populations was evident. In summary, these findings are similar to that reported in eutherians and considering that marsupial evolution diverged from eutherians over 100 million years ago suggests that the regulation of gonadotrophins is highly conserved indeed.

A first step to elucidating the roles that steroids may play in the processes of ovarian development and early follicular growth is to identify the cell types that are likely to be receptive to steroids. Thus, cell types expressing receptors for oestrogen (α and β form; ERα and ERβ respectively), androgen (AR) and progesterone (PR) were determined by in situ hybridisation and immunohistochemistry in ovine ovarian tissues collected during ovarian development and follicular formation (days 26–75 of fetal life) as well as during the early stages of follicular growth. Expression of ERβ was observed early during ovarian development and continued to be expressed throughout follicular formation and also during the early stages of follicular growth. ERβ was identified in germ cells as well as in the granulosa cells. At the large preantral stage of follicular growth, expression of ERα was also consistently observed in granulosa cells. AR was first consistently observed at day 55 of fetal life in stroma cells throughout the ovary. Within the follicle, expression was observed in granulosa and thecal cells from the type-2 to -3 stage of follicular growth. PR mRNA did not appear to be expressed during ovarian development (days 26–75 of gestation). However, PR (mRNA and protein) was observed in the theca of type-3 (small preantral) and larger follicles, with mRNA – but not protein – observed in granulosa cells of some type-4 and 5 follicles. Expression of ERβ, ERα and AR, as well as PR, was also observed in the surface epithelium and ovarian stroma of the fetal, neonatal and adult ovary. Thus, in sheep, steroid hormones have the potential to regulate the function of a number of different ovarian cell types during development, follicular formation and early follicular growth.

Summary. No gene-specific differences were found during either the luteal or follicular phases of the oestrous cycle in the venous secretion rates of ovaries or in concentrations of immunoreactive inhibin in peripheral plasma between Booroola ewes that were homozygous carriers (BB) or non-carriers (++) of the Fec ^B gene. In three experiments in which concentrations of plasma inhibin and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were compared, gene-specific differences were noted for FSH (P < 0·05), but no significant correlations were noted between FSH and inhibin for either genotype. Granulosa cells and follicular fluid, but not theca interna, stroma or corpora lutea, were the major intra-ovarian sites of inhibin; no gene-specific differences were noted for inhibin concentrations in follicular fluid or in any of the intra-ovarian tissues. The mean concentrations of inhibin in follicular fluid remained constant irrespective of follicular diameter whereas the mean total contents of inhibin increased significantly with increasing diameter (P < 0·05). Inhibin secretion rates were four times higher in ovaries with oestrogen-enriched follicles (i.e. ≥ 50 ng oestradiol ml⁻¹) than in ovaries with no such follicles (P < 0·01). Moreover, inhibin concentrations were higher in follicular fluid of oestrogen-enriched follicles than in those with low oestrogen (i.e. < 50 ng ml⁻¹; P < 0·05). Ovariectomy resulted in a significant reduction in concentrations of immunoreactive inhibin from plasma (P < 0·01). The residual plasma inhibin in some Booroola ewes was not associated with genotype.

It is concluded that, although antral follicles are a major source of inhibin in Booroola ewes, immunoreactive inhibin is not associated with the Fec ^B gene and is not responsible for the gene-specific differences in concentrations of FSH in plasma.

Keywords: Booroola ewes; Fec ^B gene; inhibin; FSH; peripheral plasma; ovarian secretion rates

Summary. The production of inhibin by granulosa cells was studied in vitro using cells from follicles of various sizes and health. Follicles were recovered on Days 10–13 of the oestrous cycle, from Booroola × Romney ewes which were homozygous (FF) carriers or non-carriers (++) of the fecundity (F) gene. Inhibin was measured using a bioassay based on the suppression of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) output by cultured pituitary cells from ovariectomized Romney ewes and, in some instances, for comparative purposes, by radioimmunoassay also. Geometric mean inhibin production by granulosa cells from nonatretic follicles increased with increasing follicle diameter, during the first 24 h of culture, for both genotypes. The geometric mean production of inhibin by cells from nonatretic 3–4·5 mm diameter FF follicles (the largest follicles found in FF ewes), was significantly higher (P < 0·05) than that by cells from non-atretic 3–4·5 mm diameter ++ follicles, but similar to that of cells from non-atretic ⩾5 mm diameter ++ follicles. The production of oestradiol-17β by cells cultured in the presence of testosterone (1 μg/ml followed a pattern similar to cellular inhibin production. There was a positive linear correlation between inhibin and oestradiol-17β production during the first 24 h of culture, for both genotypes. In addition to acting as a substrate for oestradiol-17β synthesis, testosterone generally had a slight, stimulatory effect on inhibin production. Irrespective of follicle size, or genotype, no detectable amounts of inhibin were produced by granulosa cells from atretic follicles during the first 24 h of culture, or by cells from nonatretic or atretic follicles during the second 24 h of culture.

These studies show that the highest mean amounts of inhibin produced by granulosa cells in vitro are similar for both genotypes. Moreover, they are achieved with cells from the largest nonatretic follicles in both ++ (i.e. ⩾5 mm diameter) and FF (i.e. 3–4·5 mm diameter) ewes.

Keywords: Booroola ewes; inhibin; granulosa cells; oestradiol-17β

Summary. Long-term (i.e. ∼70 days) hypophysectomy led to a significant (P < 0·05) reduction in ovarian weight but no reduction in the total number of antral follicles (>0·1 mm in diameter). In hypophysectomized ++ Booroola ewes (N = 8) follicles were always ⩽ 3 mm and in hypophysectomized FF Booroola ewes (N = 6) follicles were always ⩽ 2 mm in diameter; in ewes of both genotypes follicles reached diameters which were ∼40% of their predicted final size at ovulation. Under in-vitro conditions, follicles from the FF and ++ hypophysectomized ewes produced significant increases in cAMP within 1 h of exposure to gonadotrophins (P < 0·05) although no genotypic differences in cAMP production were noted.

We conclude that ovarian follicles in FF and ++ ewes have absolute requirements for pituitary hormone on reaching diameters of 2 mm and 3 mm respectively and that appreciable numbers of antral follicles in ewes of both genotypes remain responsive to pituitary gonadotrophins despite prolonged deprivation of these hormones.

Keywords: hypophysectomy; ovarian follicles; gonadotrophins; cAMP output; Booroola ewes; F gene

Summary. The ovaries of 3-month-old Booroola lambs which were heterozygous carriers of a major gene (F) influencing the ovulation rate in mature ewes (i.e. F + lambs) were compared to those ofsimilarly-aged Booroola lambs which were non-carriers of the F-gene (i.e. ++ lambs). The ovaries of the F+ Booroola lambs were significantly lighter (P < 0·01) than those of ++ lambs even though the mean ± s.e.m. number of follicles (≥ 1 mm diam.) in the F+ lambs was greater than that in the ++ lambs (i.e. F+ lambs, 30·2 ± 2·5 follicles; ++ lambs, 18·4±1·2 follicles; P < 0·01).

In granulosa cells from non-atretic follicles (≥1 mm diam.) from F+ and ++ Booroola lambs, FSH (NIAMDD-FSH-S16) doses of 100 and 1000 ng/ml caused significant stepwise increases (P < 0·05) in cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cAMP) production compared to that achieved at FSH doses of 0 and 1 ng/ml or at any FSH dose in cells from atretic follicles. However, no significant differences in FSH-induced cAMP production were noted with regard to Booroola genotype or follicular diameter.

None of the granulosa cell preparations from non-atretic follicles of 1–2·5 mm diameter from F+ lambs (N = 13) or from non-atretic follicles of 1–4·5 mm diameter from ++ lambs (N = 16) responded to LH (NIAMDD-LH-S24; 10 or 1000 ng/ml) to produce significantly more cAMP than did the controls. In contrast, the granulosa cell preparations from non-atretic follicles of 3–4·5 mm diameter from F+ lambs (N = 4) and from non-atretic follicles of ≥5 mm diameter of ++ lambs (N = 4) produced significantly more cAMP (P < 0·05) in response to LH (1000 and/or 10 ng/ml) relative to that in the controls. The theca interna from follicles of lambs of both genotypes had functional LH receptors as judged by the androstenedione responses to exogenous LH although no genotypic differences were noted.

In F+ lambs, the follicular fluid concentrations of testosterone but not oestradiol (i.e. in 1–4·5 mm diam. follicles) and granulosa cell aromatase activity (i.e. in 3–3·5 mm diam. follicles) were significantly higher (both P < 0·05) than in corresponding follicles or cells from ++ lambs.

Collectively the results suggest that the Booroola F-gene influences the composition and function of sheep ovaries before puberty.

Summary. Specific receptors for ¹²⁵I-labelled hCG in ovarian follicle wall were located in the theca interna. No specific binding of ¹²⁵I-labelled hCG was found in theca externa and/or stromal tissue. The kinetics of ¹²⁵I-labelled hCG binding to theca interna followed second order kinetics with calculated association rate constants (k _a ± s.d.) of 1·57 ± 0·16 × 10⁶ and 0·57 ± 0·02 × 10⁶ litres mol^{− 1} sec⁻¹ at 37°Cand 22°C respectively. Dissociation of specifically bound ¹²⁵I-labelled hCG from theca interna was minimal at 37°C and 22°C. The binding of ¹²⁵I-labelled hCG to theca interna could be displaced with PMSG, FSH-P and sheep LH but other sheep pituitary hormones and LH-releasing hormone showed little or no cross-reaction.

The calculated binding capacities (B_max) and equilibrium dissociation constants (K _d) for ¹²⁵I-labelled hCG binding to theca interna did not differ between Romney ewes and Booroola × Romney ewes with and without the fecundity (F) gene on Day 10 of the oestrous cycle, during anoestrus or at 36 h after an injection of cloprostenol on Day 10 of the oestrous cycle. When the data for Day 10 and anoestrus were pooled, the median (range) B_max and K _d values in non-atretic follicles ( ≥ 3 mm diameter) were 12·0 (5·1–23·5) fmol/mg protein and 0·10 (0·05–0·16) nM respectively. At 36 h after cloprostenol injection the respective median (range) B_max and K _d values in non-atretic follicles ≥ mm diam.) increased to 46·9 (28·4–70·3) fmol/mg protein and 0·23 (0·13–0·65) nm respectively. In corpora lutea the hCG binding characteristics were similar in all the above breeds/genotypes. On Day 10 of the cycle, the mean B_max but not the mean K _d value was significantly higher (P < 0·01) than the corresponding value at 36 h after cloprostenol injection. In granulosa cells, from follicles of ≥ 5 mm diameter of Romney and Booroola × Romney ( + + ) ewes and from follicles of ≥ mm diameter of Booroola × Romney (F + ) ewes, the hCG binding characteristics were similar. In granulosa cells from smaller sized follicles from the above breeds/ genotypes, no specific hCG binding was noted.

Summary. The tissue contents of adenosine cyclic 3′,5′-monophosphate (cAMP) in freshly dissected follicles (0·13–1·00 mm diam.) were significantly higher in Booroola ewes containing a major fecundity gene (FF and F+ ewes) compared to those values in Booroolas with no copy of the gene ( + + animals; P < 0·025). After a 1 h incubation with LH + FSH, the respective proportions of follicles with a diameter of 0·13–0·52 mm (n = 288) and 0·53–1·00 mm (n = 271) that had synthesized ≥0·6 pmol cAMP and ≥1·0 pmol cAMP were significantly influenced by genotype (Booroola ewes homozygous for the F-gene, FF > heterozygous, F+ > ++; P <0·01 for both follicle size ranges).

The contents of progesterone, androstenedione, testosterone and oestradiol-17β in minced ethanolic extracts of freshly dissected follicles (n = 188) were undetectable regardless of Booroola genotype. However, when follicles of 0·53–1·00 mm but not 0·13–0·52 mm diameter were cultured for 48 h with LH + FSH under 70 kPa of a 50% O₂, 45% N₂ and 5% CO₂ gas mixture, the proportions that synthesized high levels of progesterone (≥4·0 ng), androstenedione (≥3 ng), and oestradiol (≥0·8 ng) were significantly influenced by genotype (FF > F+ ≥ ++; P <0·05 for each steroid). No significant genotypic differences were noted for testosterone synthesis.

Collectively, these results show that the Booroola F-gene has an influence on the maturation of ovarian follicles from an early stage of growth.