Steroidogenic cell populations in follicles of the chicken ovary

A two cell theory for steroidogenesis in preovulatory follicles of the chicken ovary states that the granulosa layer metabolizes cholesterol to progestins and progestins are, then, metabolized to androgens and estrogens by the theca layer. However, the precise site of steroidogenic cells in the theca layer of preovulatory follicles and in small follicles of the chicken ovary has not been identified. Therefore, objectives of my dissertation were: (1) to identify steroidogenic cells in the theca layer of preovulatory follicles by immunocytochemistry for P450 steroidogenic enzymes and to measure steroid production by isolated theca cells in a short term cell incubation (Experiment 1); (2) to localize cell populations containing P450 steroidogenic enzymes in small follicles by immunocytochemistry (Experiment 2); and (3) to identify the site of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) in small, preovulatory, and postovulatory follicles (Experiment 3). Follicles were obtained from regularly laying chickens 2 hours after oviposition of the first egg of a clutch. P450 steroidogenic enzymes stained in Experiments 1 and 2 were cholesterol side-chain cleavage cytochrome P450, 17α-hydroxylase cytochrome P450, and aromatase cytochrome P450 to identify pregnenolone-, androgen-, or estrogen-producing cells, respectively.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Animal Science

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Nitta, Hiroaki

Contributors dc:contributor

• Bahr, Janice M.

• Biology, Anatomy
• Biology, Animal Physiology
• Biology, Veterinary Science

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 1992 Nitta, Hiroaki

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

AAI9236553
(UMI)AAI9236553

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/19514