Immunohistochemical localization of superoxide dismutase in the human ovary

Abstract

To elucidate the physiological function of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the ovary, we examined the immunohistochemical distribution of CuZn-SOD in the human ovary. We also measured the CuZn-SOD concentration in human follicular fluid by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The germinal epithelium and tunica albuginea showed no or weak immunoreactivity. No or weak staining activity was also observed in the non-antral follicle. Once the follicle began to form the antral cavity, theca interna cells began to show intensive immunostaining of SOD, as compared with no staining in the granulosa and theca externa cells. In the gestational corpus luteum, theca and granulosa lutein cells showed intensive and moderate staining activity, respectively. The concentration of CuZn-SOD was 0.222 +/- 0.186 ng/mg protein (mean +/- SD) in the preovulatory follicular fluid. In the present study, the immunohistochemical distribution of SOD was confirmed in the human ovary for the first time. Taking into consideration the fact that SOD catalyses the dismutation reaction of superoxide anion radicals, the present results suggest that theca interna cells play an important role in the protection of the developing oocyte from oxygen radicals by acting as a blood-follicular barrier during follicle maturation.

Age-related Accumulation of Non-heme Ferric and Ferrous Iron in Mouse Ovarian Stroma Visualized by Sensitive Non-heme Iron Histochemistry

“…By contrast, it has been also demonstrated that ROS, including superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, play critical roles in the regulation of ovarian functions, such as oocyte maturation, folliculogenesis, ovarian steroidogenesis, and luteolysis. Thus, there is a delicate balance between ROS and antioxidant enzymes in the ovarian tissue (Shiotani et al 1991;Behrman et al 2001;Sugino et al 2004;Agarwal et al 2005;Agarwal et al 2006;Tatone et al 2008). The imbalance of ROS and antioxidants has been suggested as a mechanism of ovarian aging, as shown by decreased levels of glutathione and glutathione S-transferase in ovulated oocytes from aged mouse or downregulation of superoxide dismutase (Cu/ZnSOD and MnSOD) and catalase genes in human granulosa cells (Tarin et al 2004;Tatone et al 2006;Tatone et al 2008).…”

The modulatory effect of estradiol benzoate on superoxide dismutase activity in the developing rat brain

“…It has been shown that erythrocyte GPx activity is higher in women than in men (1), and that the activities of SOD and GPx in liver (2) and SOD and CAT activities in macrophages (3) are significantly higher in female rats. The luteal content of SOD changes during the S. Peji et al ovulatory cycle in humans (4), whereas GPx activity in erythrocytes is positively correlated with plasma estradiol levels during the menstrual cycle (5). It has been reported that estradiol influences the expression of SOD in the corpus luteum (6) and significantly alters the activity of CAT (3) and the production of O 2 · -and H 2 O 2 (7) in rat macrophages.…”

A Review on the Role of Oxidative Stress in Female Infertility.

“…These biomarkers play roles in development of follicles and regulate processes involved in oocyte maturation, steroidogenesis and folliculogenesis (Suzuki et al, 1999). Studies by Shiotani et al (1991) on immunohistochemistry of antral follicles revealed the presence of antibody to Ad4-binding protein, which is a steroidogenic transcription factor that causes transcription of enzymes involved in steroidogenesis. This suggests a close association between steroidogenesis and oxidative stress.…”