This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 145/8/3950    most recent Author Manuscript (PDF) Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Copyright Permission Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Britt, K. L. Articles by Findlay, J. K. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Britt, K. L. Articles by Findlay, J. K.

The Effects of Estrogen on the Expression of Genes Underlying the Differentiation of Somatic Cells in the Murine Gonad

Prince Henry’s Institute of Medical Research (K.L.B., P.G.S., M.M., E.R.S., J.K.F.) and the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (K.L.B., M.M.), Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Kara Britt, Prince Henry’s Institute of Medical Research, Monash Medical Centre Clayton, Block E, Level 4, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia. E-mail: kara.britt{at}phimr.monash.edu.au.

Estrogen (17ß-estradiol, E2)-deficient aromatase knockout (ArKO) mice develop Sertoli and Leydig cells at puberty. We hypothesized that estrogen, directly or indirectly, regulates genes responsible for somatic cell differentiation and steroidogenesis. ArKO ovaries expressed estrogen receptors and ß, and LH receptor, indices of estrogen responsiveness in the ovary. Wild-type (Wt) and ArKO mice received either E2 or placebo for 3 wk, from 7–10 wk of age. E2 decreased serum FSH and LH and increased uterine weights of 10-wk-old ArKO mice. We measured mRNA expression of Sertoli cell, Sry-like HMG box protein 9 (Sox9); three upstream transcription factors, liver receptor homolog-1 (Lrh-1), steroidogenic factor 1, and dosage-sensitive sex reversal adrenal hypoplasia congenital critical region on the X chromosome gene 1; and one downstream factor, Müllerian-inhibiting substance. Placebo-treated ArKO ovaries have increased Sox9 (15-fold; P < 0.001), Müllerian-inhibiting substance (2.9-fold), Lrh-1 (7.7-fold), and dosage-sensitive sex reversal adrenal hypoplasia congenital critical region on the X chromosome gene 1 (12-fold) expression compared with Wt at 10 wk. Steroidogenic factor 1 was similar to Wt. Consistent with increased serum T levels and Leydig cells in their ovaries, placebo-treated ArKO ovaries had increased 17-hydroxylase, 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type-3, and 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type-1 expression compared with Wt at 10 wk. E2 treatment for 3 wk improved the ovarian phenotype, decreased development of Sertoli cells, decreased the expression of Sox9, Lrh-1, and the steroidogenic enzymes in ArKO ovaries, and induced ovulation in some cases. In conclusion, the expression of the genes regulating somatic cell differentiation is directly or indirectly responsive to estrogen.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. Guo, S.-X. Tao, M. Chen, Y.-Q. Shi, Z.-Q. Zhang, Y.-C. Li, X.-S. Zhang, Z.-Y. Hu, and Y.-X. Liu Heat Treatment Induces Liver Receptor Homolog-1 Expression in Monkey and Rat Sertoli Cells Endocrinology, March 1, 2007; 148(3): 1255 - 1265. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. J. McInnes, A. Corbould, E. R. Simpson, and M. E. Jones Regulation of Adenosine 5',Monophosphate-Activated Protein Kinase and Lipogenesis by Androgens Contributes to Visceral Obesity in an Estrogen-Deficient State Endocrinology, December 1, 2006; 147(12): 5907 - 5913. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Lindzey, F. L Jayes, M. M Yates, J. F Couse, and K. S Korach The bi-modal effects of estradiol on gonadotropin synthesis and secretion in female mice are dependent on estrogen receptor-{alpha}. J. Endocrinol., October 1, 2006; 191(1): 309 - 317. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Poutanen Toward understanding the endocrine regulation of gonadal somatic cells. Endocrinology, August 1, 2006; 147(8): 3662 - 3665. [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. F. Couse, M. M. Yates, K. F. Rodriguez, J. A. Johnson, D. Poirier, and K. S. Korach The Intraovarian Actions of Estrogen Receptor-{alpha} Are Necessary to Repress the Formation of Morphological and Functional Leydig-Like Cells in the Female Gonad Endocrinology, August 1, 2006; 147(8): 3666 - 3678. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. F. Couse, M. M. Yates, B. J. Deroo, and K. S. Korach Estrogen Receptor-{beta} Is Critical to Granulosa Cell Differentiation and the Ovulatory Response to Gonadotropins Endocrinology, August 1, 2005; 146(8): 3247 - 3262. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Ottolenghi, S. Omari, J. E. Garcia-Ortiz, M. Uda, L. Crisponi, A. Forabosco, G. Pilia, and D. Schlessinger Foxl2 is required for commitment to ovary differentiation Hum. Mol. Genet., July 15, 2005; 14(14): 2053 - 2062. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. J. Guigon, N. Coudouel, S. Mazaud-Guittot, M. G. Forest, and S. Magre Follicular Cells Acquire Sertoli Cell Characteristics after Oocyte Loss Endocrinology, July 1, 2005; 146(7): 2992 - 3004. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. L. Britt, P. K. Saunders, S. J. McPherson, M. L. Misso, E. R. Simpson, and J. K. Findlay Estrogen Actions on Follicle Formation and Early Follicle Development Biol Reprod, November 1, 2004; 71(5): 1712 - 1723. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. F. Couse, M. M. Yates, R. Sanford, A. Nyska, J. H. Nilson, and K. S. Korach Formation of Cystic Ovarian Follicles Associated with Elevated Luteinizing Hormone Requires Estrogen Receptor-{beta} Endocrinology, October 1, 2004; 145(10): 4693 - 4702. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]