Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 20, 2026

A Modified Co-Culture System for Understanding Granulosa-Theca Cell Interactions in the Bovine Ovary
Published on: September 19, 2025
Adrenergic innervation and steroidogenic activity of cystic porcine ovaries
A Dzienis1, M Majewski, J Wojtkiewicz
1Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Olsztyn, Poland. andzik@pan.olsztyn.pl
Abstract:
We studied both morphology and steroidogenic activity of porcine ovaries after dexamethasone (DMX)-induced polycystic status. In the polycystic-changed ovaries, an increase in the number of DbetaH-IR and/or NPY-IR nerve terminals was found in the wall of follicles, cysts and blood vessels. After DXM injections, we observed changes in the mean contents of progesterone, androstendione, estradiol-17beta, as well as noradrenaline, dopamine and adrenaline in the studied ovarian structures. The obtained data revealed that, in the polycystic ovaries of gilts, an increase in the number of adrenergic nerve terminals was associated with changes of the steroidogenic activity, what may suggest an important role of the adrenergic innervation in the ovarian cyst formation in the gilts.
Related Concept Videos
Hormones of the Adrenal Glands
The adrenal cortex, a powerhouse of hormone synthesis, generates over two dozen corticosteroid hormones. The zona glomerulosa produces mineralocorticoids, exemplified by aldosterone, influencing the electrolyte composition of body fluids. The synthesis of glucocorticoids such as cortisol and corticosterone...
Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle
Before puberty, the hypothalamus releases GnRH in a low frequency, low amplitude pulsatile manner. This along with the immature hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity, results in low estrogen levels and the absence of a fully functional ovarian cycle. At puberty, GnRH secretion increases in both frequency and...
Ovaries
On the ovarian surface, a layer of cuboidal...
Oogenesis
Anatomy of the Adrenal Glands
These glands possess a distinctive yellow tinge due to the stored cholesterol and fatty acids required for hormone synthesis. They are encased in a fibrous capsule and cushioned by fat.
The adrenal gland comprises two distinct regions...
Folliculogenesis

