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Transforming growth factor-beta1 inhibits luteinization and promotes apoptosis in bovine granulosa cells

Xiaofeng Zheng1, Derek Boerboom, Paul D Carrière

  • 1Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Centre de Recherche en Reproduction Animale (CRRA), Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada.

Reproduction (Cambridge, England)
|March 25, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFB1) affects bovine granulosa cell steroidogenesis. TGFB1 inhibits progesterone production and promotes an estrogenic phenotype, while increasing apoptosis in these cells.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Granulosa cells are crucial for ovarian follicle development and hormone production.
  • Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFB1) is known to modulate steroidogenesis in various cell types.
  • Previous studies indicated TGFB1 inhibits estradiol (E(2)) and progesterone (P(4)) biosynthesis in FSH-stimulated bovine granulosa cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of TGFB1 on E(2) and P(4) steroidogenesis in bovine granulosa cells without FSH stimulation.
  • To evaluate TGFB1's impact on granulosa cell proliferation and apoptosis, with and without FSH.
  • To understand TGFB1's role in regulating the expression of key steroidogenic genes.

Main Methods:

  • Bovine granulosa cells from small follicles were cultured in serum-free medium.
  • Cells were treated with TGFB1 in the presence or absence of FSH.
  • Hormone secretion (E(2), P(4)), mRNA levels of steroidogenic genes (STAR, CYP11A1, HSD3B1, GSTA, CYP19A1, HSD17B1, HSD17B7), cell proliferation, and apoptosis were measured.

Main Results:

  • In the absence of FSH, TGFB1 decreased P(4) secretion and related gene expression.
  • TGFB1 partially reversed FSH-withdrawal-induced decline in E(2) secretion and stimulated E(2) biosynthesis and related gene expression (CYP19A1, HSD17B1).
  • TGFB1 reduced cell cycle progression and increased apoptosis, evidenced by propidium iodide staining and cleaved caspase-3 levels, irrespective of FSH presence.

Conclusions:

  • TGFB1 inhibits luteinization in cultured bovine granulosa cells.
  • TGFB1 promotes an estrogenic phenotype while suppressing progesterone production.
  • The observed effects of TGFB1 are associated with increased granulosa cell apoptosis.

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