
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Basini, G. 
A1  - Mainardi, G. L. 
A1  - Bussolati, S. 
A1  - Tamanini, C. 
T1  - Steroidogenesis, proliferation and apoptosis in bovine granulosa cells: role of tumour necrosis factor-&#945; and its possible signalling mechanisms
JF  - Reproduction, Fertility and Development
JO  - Reprod. Fertil. Dev.
Y1  - 2002
VL  - 14
IS  - 3
SP  - 141
EP  - 150
KW  - 
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1071/RD01049 
N2  - This study was designed to investigate the presence of bioactive tumour necrosis factor-&#945; (TNF-&#945;) in bovine fluid collected from small (&#60;5 mm) and large (&#62;8 mm) follicles, as well as the production of the cytokine by the granulosa cells collected from the same type of follicles. Moreover, the effectiveness of 10, 1 and 0.1 ng mL-1 of human TNF-&#945; (hTNF-&#945;) in affecting the main parameters of granulosa cell function, progesterone (P4) and oestradiol-17&#946; (E2) production, cell proliferation and apoptosis, was tested. In addition, the study aimed to determine whether the signalling mechanisms of TNF-&#945; in these cells involve cAMP, nitric oxide or prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and F2&#945; (PGF2&#945;). It emerged that bioactive TNF-&#945; is present in follicular fluid from both types of follicles and can be measured in media conditioned by granulosa cells from large follicles. As for the effects of hTNF-&#945; , it inhibits P4 production in cells from both types of follicles and stimulates E2 output in those from small follicles; it does not affect proliferation, but it stimulates granulosa cell apoptosis. Finally, the effects of hTNF-&#945; on bovine granulosa cells are not mediated by nitric oxide or cAMP, as neither of these substances were affected by treatment with the cytokine; however, in some way, they could be mediated through PGE2 and PGF2&#945;, the production of which was inhibited by TNF-&#945; in cells from small follicles. 
ER  -

