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- Title
'Free' inhibin α subunit is expressed by bovine ovarian theca cells and its knockdown suppresses androgen production.
- Authors
Laird, Mhairi; Glister, Claire; Cheewasopit, Warakorn; Satchell, Leanne S.; Bicknell, Andrew B.; Knight, Phil G.
- Abstract
Inhibins are ovarian dimeric glycoprotein hormones that suppress pituitary FSH production. They are synthesised by follicular granulosa cells as α plus βA/βB subunits (encoded by INHA, INHBA, INHBB, respectively). Inhibin concentrations are high in follicular fluid (FF) which is also abundant in 'free' α subunit, presumed to be of granulosal origin, but its role(s) remains obscure. Here, we report the unexpected finding that bovine theca cells show abundant INHA expression and 'free' inhibin α production. Thus, theca cells may contribute significantly to the inhibin α content of FF and peripheral blood. In vitro, knockdown of thecal INHA inhibited INSL3 and CYP17A1 expression and androgen production while INSL3 knockdown reduced INHA and inhibin α secretion. These findings suggest a positive role of thecal inhibin α on androgen production. However, exogenous inhibin α did not raise androgen production. We hypothesised that inhibin α may modulate the opposing effects of BMP and inhibin on androgen production. However, this was not supported experimentally. Furthermore, neither circulating nor intrafollicular androgen concentrations differed between control and inhibin α-immunized heifers, casting further doubt on thecal inhibin α subunit having a significant role in modulating androgen production. Role(s), if any, played by thecal inhibin α remain elusive.
- Subjects
PROTEIN expression; INHIBIN; ANDROGENS; GLYCOPROTEIN hormones; FOLLICLE-stimulating hormone
- Publication
Scientific Reports, 2019, Vol 9, Issue 1, p1
- ISSN
2045-2322
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1038/s41598-019-55829-w