Regulation of expression of ovarian mRNA encoding steroidogenic enzymes and gonadotrophin receptors by FSH and GH in hypogonadotrophic cattle

A study was conducted to determine the effects of FSH and bovine somatotrophin on the expression of mRNA encoding the gonadotrophin receptors and steroidogenic enzymes in ovarian follicles of cattle rendered hypogonadotrophic by treatment with a GnRH agonist. Hereford x Friesian heifers were allotted into two pretreatment groups: controls (n = 10) and GnRH agonist-treated (n = 20). Ovaries of control cows were removed on day 2 of the first follicular wave after synchronized oestrus. GnRH agonist-treated heifers were given either FSH or no FSH. FSH was infused at 50 microg h(-1) for 48 h. Ovaries in GnRH agonist-treated heifers were removed at the end of exogenous hormone treatment. The control, GnRH agonist and GnRH agonist plus FSH treatment groups were divided further into bovine somatotrophin or no bovine somatotrophin treatments (n = 5 per treatment). Bovine somatotrophin (25 mg day(-1) by s.c. injection) was administered for 3 days. Ovaries were scanned once a day by ultrasonography. Blood samples for hormone measurements were collected three times a day from oestrus until the time of removal of ovaries. Expression of mRNAs for the FSH and LH receptors and cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage (P450scc), cytochrome P450 17alpha-hydroxylase (P450c17) and cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450arom) enzymes was localized by in situ hybridization and quantified by image analysis. Ovarian follicular growth was arrested at < or = 4.5 mm in diameter in GnRH agonist-treated heifers. There was no effect of bovine somatotrophin on follicular dynamics, gonadotrophin secretion or expression of mRNA for either the gonadotrophin receptors or steroidogenic enzymes. Infusion of FSH to GnRH agonist-treated heifers increased FSH concentrations in serum to the physiological concentrations observed in controls and stimulated growth of follicles to a size similar (5.5-8.0 mm in diameter) to recruited follicles in control cows. FSH induced mRNA expression of P450scc and P450arom in granulosa cells of follicles at a smaller size (< or = 4.5 mm in diameter) than in controls and increased (P < 0.001) expression in larger (> 4.5 mm in diameter) follicles. Expression of mRNAs for P450scc and P450c17 increased (P < 0.001) with increasing follicle size and was higher (P < 0.01) in theca cells of GnRH agonist plus FSH-treated heifers than in the other groups. There were no treatment differences in expression of FSH receptor in granulosa cells or LH receptor in theca cells, but expression of both receptors increased with follicle size. There was no expression of LH receptor in the granulosa cells of cows from any treatment group. In conclusion, FSH treatment in GnRH agonist-treated heifers induced similar changes in follicular growth to those observed during the first follicular wave, but despite similar peak concentrations, prolonged exposure to high FSH induced precocious expression of mRNAs for P450scc and P450arom in granulosa cells from small follicles and markedly upregulated expression of these enzymes in granulosa cells from recruited follicles. The results of this study demonstrate the key role that FSH plays in the induction of follicular growth and differentiation.