Evidence for the Presence of Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Receptors During Ovarian Development in the Rat1

Abstract

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) is an intraovarian cytokine that may play a role in ovarian development and function. Effects of TNFalpha are mediated by binding to at least one of two TNFalpha receptor subtypes (with molecular masses of approximately 60 and 80 kDa); therefore, the overall goal of this study was to determine whether rat ovaries have TNFalpha receptors during critical times in development. Two approaches were used: 1) demonstration of specific binding of radiolabeled TNFalpha to ovarian cells and 2) semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis for each of the two TNFalpha receptors. Ovarian cells were obtained on Embryonic Day 19, day of birth (Day 0), and Days 2, 5, 10, and 20. TNFalpha binding was present on all days, with significantly greater binding on Day 20. Messenger RNA for both receptor subtypes was detected on all days using RT-PCR analysis but was significantly greater for the 60-kDa receptor on Day 20. In conclusion, rat ovaries contained receptors capable of binding TNFalpha and mRNA for both receptor subtypes. Identification of ovarian TNFalpha receptors provides support for a role of TNFalpha in ovarian development and function.

Role of Tumor Necrosis Factor in Preovulatory Follicles of Swine

“…ries, we have chosen this receptor type for our study. The positive immunological signal of the TNFR I in the GCs of sows confirms that TNF effects on follicular development and differentiation are due to a receptor-mediated pathway that has already been shown in rat [19], sow [23], and mouse [24].…”

“…The role of TNFR II is less understood and has been shown to be more restricted to hematopoetic cells [18]. A recent study on TNFR during ovarian development confirmed the prevalence of TNFR I in rat GCs [19]. Here we asked whether TNFR I in porcine GCs is influenced by its ligand.…”

Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) Receptor Type 2 Is an Important Mediator of TNF alpha Function in the Mouse Ovary1

“…1). While both receptor types are expressed in rat ovaries as early as Embryonic Day 19 [21], their localization has not been reported.…”

“…TNF immunoreactivity is observed in oocytes in neonatal rats, as well as in oocytes of all follicle stages in adult rat ovaries [20]. Additionally, both of its receptor types are present in rat ovaries beginning at Embryonic Day 19 [21]. To our knowledge, TNF receptor expression in neonatal mouse ovaries has not been reported.…”

Possible Actions of Tumor Necrosis Factor-.ALPHA. in Ovarian Function

“…Likewise, TNFα receptors are present on granulosa and theca cells [21,24,27]. From a functional standpoint, TNFα has been shown to inhibit follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)-, insulin-or insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF)-induced estradiol-17β (E2) production in granulosa cells [21,28] and luteinizing hormone (LH)-stimulated androstenedione production in theca cells [28].…”