This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) 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 Ko, C. Articles by Koo, Y. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Ko, C. Articles by Koo, Y. Pubmed/NCBI databases Gene GEO Profiles HomoloGene Protein UniGene Compound via MeSH Substance via MeSH

Endothelin-2 in Ovarian Follicle Rupture

Departments of Clinical Sciences and Biological Sciences (C.K., M.C.Gi., L.A.-A., Y.H.) and Physiology (W.S., M.C.Go.), University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506; Pharmacology and Preclinical Development Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (M.I.), Allschwil CH-4123, Switzerland; and School of Biotechnology and Biomedical Sciences (Y.K.), Inje University, Kimhae 621-749, South Korea

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Dr. Chemyong Ko, Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536. E-mail: cko2{at}uky.edu.

The ovulatory process is activated by a surge of LH, a pituitary gonadotropin, which initiates a cohort of dramatic changes in biochemical, physical, and gene expression in the ovary, leading to follicle rupture and oocyte release. Here we report the identification of endothelin-2 (EDN2) as a last moment-trigger of follicle rupture. In the ovary, EDN2 is exclusively and transiently expressed in the granulosa cells immediately before ovulation. Administration of EDN2 to the ovarian tissue induced rapid contraction, whereas addition of tezosentan, an endothelin receptor antagonist, diminishes the EDN2 effect. In vivo, treatment of tezosentan before ovulation substantially decreases gonadotropin-induced superovulation. As a target tissue of EDN2 action, we identified a layer of smooth muscle cells in the follicular wall of each follicle. Taken together, our data indicate that EDN2 induces follicular rupture by constricting periovulatory follicles.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. Kim, I. C. Bagchi, and M. K. Bagchi Control of ovulation in mice by progesterone receptor-regulated gene networks Mol. Hum. Reprod., December 1, 2009; 15(12): 821 - 828. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. A. Edson, A. K. Nagaraja, and M. M. Matzuk The Mammalian Ovary from Genesis to Revelation Endocr. Rev., October 1, 2009; 30(6): 624 - 712. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Kim, I. C. Bagchi, and M. K. Bagchi Signaling by Hypoxia-Inducible Factors Is Critical for Ovulation In Mice Endocrinology, July 1, 2009; 150(7): 3392 - 3400. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Wallin, M. Ghahremani, P. Dahm-Kahler, and M. Brannstrom Viability and function of the cryopreserved whole ovary: in vitro studies in the sheep Hum. Reprod., July 1, 2009; 24(7): 1684 - 1694. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y. Ren, R. G. Cowan, R. M. Harman, and S. M. Quirk Dominant Activation of the Hedgehog Signaling Pathway in the Ovary Alters Theca Development and Prevents Ovulation Mol. Endocrinol., May 1, 2009; 23(5): 711 - 723. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Shkolnik, S. Ben-Dor, D. Galiani, A. Hourvitz, and N. Dekel Molecular characterization and bioinformatics analysis of Ncoa7B, a novel ovulation-associated and reproduction system-specific Ncoa7 isoform Reproduction, March 1, 2008; 135(3): 321 - 333. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Kim, M. Sato, Q. Li, J. P. Lydon, F. J. DeMayo, I. C. Bagchi, and M. K. Bagchi Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor {gamma} Is a Target of Progesterone Regulation in the Preovulatory Follicles and Controls Ovulation in Mice Mol. Cell. Biol., March 1, 2008; 28(5): 1770 - 1782. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. C. Gieske, H. J. Kim, S. J. Legan, Y. Koo, A. Krust, P. Chambon, and C. Ko Pituitary Gonadotroph Estrogen Receptor-{alpha} Is Necessary for Fertility in Females Endocrinology, January 1, 2008; 149(1): 20 - 27. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M J Grimshaw Endothelins and hypoxia-inducible factor in cancer Endocr. Relat. Cancer, June 1, 2007; 14(2): 233 - 244. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Al-Alem, P. J Bridges, W. Su, M. C Gong, M. Iglarz, and C. Ko Endothelin-2 induces oviductal contraction via endothelin receptor subtype A in rats J. Endocrinol., June 1, 2007; 193(3): 383 - 391. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Hsieh, D. Lee, S. Panigone, K. Horner, R. Chen, A. Theologis, D. C. Lee, D. W. Threadgill, and M. Conti Luteinizing Hormone-Dependent Activation of the Epidermal Growth Factor Network Is Essential for Ovulation Mol. Cell. Biol., March 1, 2007; 27(5): 1914 - 1924. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. S. Palanisamy, Y.-P. Cheon, J. Kim, A. Kannan, Q. Li, M. Sato, S. R. Mantena, R. L. Sitruk-Ware, M. K. Bagchi, and I. C. Bagchi A Novel Pathway Involving Progesterone Receptor, Endothelin-2, and Endothelin Receptor B Controls Ovulation in Mice Mol. Endocrinol., November 1, 2006; 20(11): 2784 - 2795. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Vaccari, S. Latini, M. Barberi, A. Teti, M. Stefanini, and R. Canipari Characterization and expression of different pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide/vasoactive intestinal polypeptide receptors in rat ovarian follicles. J. Endocrinol., October 1, 2006; 191(1): 287 - 299. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]