In mammals, proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-related peptides are involved in reproductive processes at both the hypothalamopituitary and ovarian levels. Through immunocytochemical and physiological in vitro studies, evidence for a diffuse POMC-related opioid system in the lizard Podarcis s. sicula is provided. In the lizard ovary, beta-endorphin (beta-EP)-like immunoreactive cells were observed within the granulosa layer; the immunoresponse showed seasonal variation, being most pronounced in the winter ovary. HPLC followed by immunoassay showed that acetyl beta-EP is the main form of POMC-related peptide in both pituitary and ovary. In vitro studies showed that picomolar amounts of beta-EP stimulate follicular estrogen production during both the reproductive and winter phases; induction was found to be higher in the reproductive phase. The data reported here provide evidence for the physiological role played by beta-EP in the reproductive function of Podarcis s. sicula via induction of ovarian production of estradiol-17 beta, which is the main factor responsible for the vitellogenic process.
Presence and steroidogenetic activity of beta-endorphin in the ovary of the lizard, Podarcis s. sicula raf / A., Polzonetti Magni; Facchinetti, Fabio; O., Carnevali; G., Mosconi; M., Pestarino; M., Vallarino; G., Ciarcia. - In: BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION. - ISSN 0006-3363. - STAMPA. - 50:(1994), pp. 1059-1065.
Presence and steroidogenetic activity of beta-endorphin in the ovary of the lizard, Podarcis s. sicula raf.
FACCHINETTI, Fabio;
1994
Abstract
In mammals, proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-related peptides are involved in reproductive processes at both the hypothalamopituitary and ovarian levels. Through immunocytochemical and physiological in vitro studies, evidence for a diffuse POMC-related opioid system in the lizard Podarcis s. sicula is provided. In the lizard ovary, beta-endorphin (beta-EP)-like immunoreactive cells were observed within the granulosa layer; the immunoresponse showed seasonal variation, being most pronounced in the winter ovary. HPLC followed by immunoassay showed that acetyl beta-EP is the main form of POMC-related peptide in both pituitary and ovary. In vitro studies showed that picomolar amounts of beta-EP stimulate follicular estrogen production during both the reproductive and winter phases; induction was found to be higher in the reproductive phase. The data reported here provide evidence for the physiological role played by beta-EP in the reproductive function of Podarcis s. sicula via induction of ovarian production of estradiol-17 beta, which is the main factor responsible for the vitellogenic process.Pubblicazioni consigliate
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