@article{zorrilla_sriperumbudur_gadsby_2010, title={Endothelin-1, endothelin converting enzyme-1 and endothelin receptors in the porcine corpus luteum}, volume={38}, ISSN={["0739-7240"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.domaniend.2009.08.006}, abstractNote={Porcine corpora lutea (CL) fail to show a luteolytic response to prostaglandin-F-2alpha (PGF-2alpha) (ie, luteolytic sensitivity [LS]) until about day 12-13 of the estrous cycle. Although little is known of the control of LS in any species, endothelin-1 (EDN1) is believed to play a role in LS control in ruminants. Therefore, we measured mRNA and protein expression and examined the cellular localization of EDN1 precursor (pre-pro EDN1, or ppEDN1), EDN-converting enzyme-1 (ECE1), and EDN receptors (A, EDNRA and B, EDNRB) in porcine CLs collected on days 4, 7, 10, 13, and 15 of the estrous cycle to look for differences between CLs displaying (days 13-15) versus those lacking (days 4-10) LS. Abundance of ppEDN1 mRNA was greatest (and significant vs all other days) on day 7 of the cycle, whereas EDN1 protein expression did not vary during the cycle and was localized exclusively to endothelial cells (EC). Abundance of ECE1 mRNA was also greatest on day 7 (vs all other days), but ECE1 protein was significantly elevated on day 10 (vs day 4) and was immunolocalized to ECs and large luteal cells (LLC). Abundance of EDNRA mRNA was also maximal on day 7 (vs all other days) of the cycle, whereas EDNRA protein expression was not significantly changed during the cycle and was observed in LLCs, ECs, and small luteal cells (SLC). On day 13, EDNRB mRNA was significantly decreased (versus day 7). Expression of EDNRB protein was decreased on day 10 (versus all other days), and on days 13-15 (vs day 4), and was primarily localized to ECs. In conclusion, the observed elevation in ECE1 protein concentrations on day 10 and the presence of EDNRA on LLC suggests a possible role for EDN1 (resulting from the actions of ECE1) acting via EDNRA in the control of LS in the pig.}, number={2}, journal={DOMESTIC ANIMAL ENDOCRINOLOGY}, author={Zorrilla, L. M. and Sriperumbudur, R. and Gadsby, J. E.}, year={2010}, month={Feb}, pages={75–85} }
 @article{sriperumbudur_zorrilla_gadsby_2010, title={Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta) and its signaling components in peni-ovulatory pig follicles}, volume={120}, ISSN={["1873-2232"]}, DOI={10.1016/j.anireprosci.2010.03.003}, abstractNote={The present studies investigated the hypothesis that TGFβ plays a role in mediating LH/hCG-induced maturation, ovulation and/or luteinization of follicles in the pig. In Experiment 1, the temporal and spatial gene expression patterns of TGFβ signaling components were examined in pig follicles which had been induced to ovulate and luteinize in vivo by hCG treatment, or by the LH-surge. Pre-pubertal pigs were injected with PG-600 followed by hCG, and ovaries were collected surgically at 0, 1, 12, 24 and 48 h post-hCG. Post-ovulatory follicles were also collected from cycling gilts on Day 4 (D4) of the estrous cycle. Pre- and post-ovulatory follicles were used for the measurement of mRNA (PCR) and protein (Western blots) abundance and for protein localization by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Steady state amounts of mRNA for TGFβ3 and TGFβR2 were increased (P < 0.05, as compared to 0 h) at 12 h and on D4, respectively, while TGFβ2 protein showed a tendency to increase on D4. TGFβ signaling components did not change significantly. By IHC, the localization of TGFβ components was as follows: pre-ovulatory follicles; TGFβ1 – granulosa cells (GC), TGFβ2 – theca cells (TC), TGFβR1 and 2 – GC and TC: post-ovulatory follicles; TGFβ1 and 2 and TGFβR1 and 2 – luteinizing TC and GC. In Experiment 2, TGFβ1 (1–100 ng/ml) alone had no significant effect on progesterone (P4) secretion by pig GC in culture. Furthermore, while LH + IGF-1 (positive control) stimulated P4 ∼10-fold, TGFβ at 10 and 100 ng/ml added in combination with LH + IGF-1, had no effect on P4 accumulation. In conclusion, data from the present study on temporal and spatial patterns of expression of the TGFβ-system suggest that TGFβ may play a role in the overall process of luteinization, but it appears not to influence steroidogenesis in luteinizing pig follicles.}, number={1-4}, journal={ANIMAL REPRODUCTION SCIENCE}, author={Sriperumbudur, Rajagopal and Zorrilla, Leah and Gadsby, John E.}, year={2010}, month={Jul}, pages={84–94} }