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Updated: Aug 11, 2026

A Tissue Culture Model of Estrogen-producing Primary Bovine Granulosa Cells
Published on: September 6, 2018
Release of norepinephrine from human ovary: coupling to steroidogenic response
H E Lara1, A Porcile, J Espinoza
1Departamento de Bioquimica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad de Chile, Santiago. hlara@ll.ciq.uchile.cl
Abstract:
We investigated the possibility that norepinephrine from the human ovary is released after nerve stimulation and that this neurotransmitter is coupled to a steroidogenic response. Biologically significant levels of both norepinephrine and dopamine were found in human ovarian biopsies. [3H]norepinephrine incorporated in vitro was readily released by electrical stimulation in a Ca2+-dependent process. Ovarian membrane preparations exhibited specific binding sites for the beta-adrenergic antagonist [3H]dihydroalprenolol. Displacement of [3H]dihydroalprenolol with zinterol (a specific beta2-agonist) indicated that 72% of these sites were type beta2-receptors. beta-receptors were also present on granulosa cells. Stimulation of granulosa cells with luteinizing hormone or the beta-agonist isoproterenol increased the release of progesterone after 4 d in culture. These results suggest that the sympathetic nerves present in human ovary are coupled to beta-adrenergic receptors present in endocrine cells and, as in nonprimate mammals, appear to participate in the regulation of ovarian function.
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