Somatotropin: Effects on Ovarian Function in Swine and Transgenic Mice

Objectives:

Our long term objectives are to understand the actions of Somatotropin (ST) on reproductive functions in domestic animals. In this proposal, our primary objective is to further elucidate the role of ST as a molecular modulator of sterol metabolism, and follicle survival in the ovaries of swine and mice using an in vitro ovarian cell culture system.

Specific Aims:

1. To examine the effects ST and IGF-I in vitro on the expression of P450scc and LDLR mRNA in primary ovarian granulosa cells obtained from gilts, and normal and transgenic mice.

2. To determine whether ST (or IGF-I) influences apoptotic cell death in primary ovarian granulosa cells obtained from gilts, and normal and transgenic mice.

Publications:

Danilovich, N.A., W.G. Cao, A. Bartke, and T.A. Winters. 1998. In situ ovarian follicle apoptosis in bGH-transgenic and non-transgenic mice. Biol. Reprod. 58 (Suppl. 1):73

Cao, W.G., N.A. Danilovich, C.L. Hausler, A. Bartke, and T.A. Winters. 1998. In situ gene expression of ovarian steroidogenic enzymes in bGH-transgenic and non-transgenic mice. Biol. Reprod. 58 (Suppl.1): 187

Winters, T. A., J. A. Hanten, and J. D. Veldhuis. 1998. In situ amplification of the cytochrome P-450 cholesterol side chain cleavage enzyme mRNA in single porcine granulosa cells by IGF-I and FSH acting alone and in concert. Endocrine 9:57-63.

Bartke, A, V. Chandrashekar, D. Turyn, R.W.Steger, L. Debeljuk, T.A. Winters, J.A. Mattison, N.A. Danilovich, W. Croson, D.R. Wersing, and J.J. Kopchick. 1999. Effects of growth hormone overexpression and growth hormone resistance on neuroendocrine and reproductive functions in transgenic and knock-out mice. Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. Med. 222:113-123.

Danilovich, N.A., A. Bartke, and T.A. Winters. 2000. Ovarian follicle apoptosis in bovine growth hormone transgenic mice. Biol. Reprod. 62(1):103-107.

Research Progress,

August, 1996
July, 1997

1998 SSR Abstracts

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~~~~~Revised 2/3/00~~~~~ TAW