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Secretion from neuropeptide-treated splenocytes modifies ovarian steroidogenesis
L Oliveros1, M Forneris, L Aguado
1Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción, Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, San Luis, Chacabuco y Pedernera, 5700 San Luis, Argentina.
Medicina
|March 27, 2001
Summary
Sympathetic nervous system signals modulate ovarian function. Transecting the superior ovarian nerve in rats altered ovarian hormone release, which was reversed by treating spleen cells with VIP or NPY in vitro.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Immunology
- Reproductive Biology
Background:
- The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) influences immune function.
- Norepinephrine (NE) is a key SNS neurotransmitter.
- The spleen is innervated by the SNS via the superior ovarian nerve (SON).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of SNS denervation of the spleen on ovarian steroidogenesis.
- To explore the role of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) in modulating this interaction.
Main Methods:
- Superior ovarian nerve (SON) transection in rats.
- Isolation and in vitro culture of rat splenocytes.
- Incubation of intact rat ovaries with conditioned media from splenocyte cultures.
- Treatment of splenocytes with VIP and NPY.
Main Results:
- SON transection altered ovarian release of progesterone and estradiol.
- Treatment of transected rat splenocytes with VIP or NPY in vitro reversed these ovarian steroidogenic changes.
- VIP and NPY modulated androgen release differently.
Conclusions:
- SNS signaling, potentially involving neurotransmitters beyond NE, impacts ovarian steroidogenesis via the spleen.
- In vitro application of VIP and NPY to splenocytes can restore normal ovarian steroid hormone release profiles, suggesting a potential therapeutic avenue.