Effects of relaxin on matrix remodeling enzyme activity of cultured equine ovarian stromal cells.
Abstract: Relaxin participates in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling in many reproductive organs, including the ovary, by regulating proteolytic enzyme activity. Accumulated evidence indicates this action of relaxin is involved in ovarian follicle development and ovulation. Equine follicles are embedded in cortex that is at the center of the ovary and they must expand/emigrate to the fossa, the only site in the ovary for ovulation. Due to the tremendous expansion of the follicle in this species, we hypothesized that ovarian stromal remodeling would be extensive. Therefore, cultured equine ovarian stromal cell (EOSC) lines were obtained from stroma at the apex of large follicles and the effects of relaxin on gelatinases A and B, tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs), plasminogen activators (PAs) and PA inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) activities were assessed. Our results showed that equine relaxin increased the activity of total gelatinase A (both pro forms and mature forms) and latent progelatinase B present in conditioned medium, latent progelatinase A present in cell extracts, and TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 present in conditioned medium. This study also revealed that equine relaxin increased the urokinase-type PA activity in conditioned medium and cell extracts, tissue-type PA activity in ECM and PAI-1 activity in conditioned medium. These results suggest that relaxin may contribute to equine follicle growth and migration, and facilitate ovulation by modulating the degradation of ECM in ovarian stromal tissue.
Publication Date: 2001-05-12 PubMed ID: 11348785DOI: 10.1016/s0378-4320(01)00100-2Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
This article discusses research into the effects of a hormone called relaxin on the activity of matrix remodeling enzymes in equine ovarian stromal cells. The study suggests that relaxin could play a role in equine ovarian follicle growth, migration, and ovulation through its influence on the degradation of the extracellular matrix in ovarian stromal tissue.
Role of Relaxin in Extracellular Matrix Remodeling
- The hormone relaxin is involved in the remodeling of the extracellular matrix in reproductive organs, including the ovary.
- It does this through the regulation of the activity of proteolytic enzymes, which are responsible for the degradation of protein.
- This action of relaxin is linked to the development of ovarian follicles and ovulation.
Effects of Relaxin on Equine Ovarian Stromal Cells
- The study was conducted on cultured equine ovarian stromal cell lines, obtained from the stroma at the apex of large follicles.
- The effects of relaxin on several enzymes integral to the remodeling of the extracellular matrix were analyzed. These included gelatins A and B, tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs), plasminogen activators (PAs), and PA inhibitor-1 (PAI-1).
Study Results
- The research found that relaxin increased the activity of total gelatinase A and latent progelatinase B in the conditioned medium, and latent progelatinase A in cell extracts.
- It also increased the activity of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in the conditioned medium.
- Relaxin also increased the activity of urokinase-type PA in both the conditioned medium and cell extracts, tissue-type PA in the extracellular matrix, and PAI-1 in the conditioned medium.
Implications
- The results suggest that relaxin may contribute to the growth and migration of equine follicles, and facilitate ovulation.
- It does this by modulating the degradation of the extracellular matrix in ovarian stromal tissue.
- Possible future applications of this knowledge could include the development of fertility treatments or interventions for equine reproduction.
Cite This Article
APA
Song L, Ryan PL, Porter DG, Coomber BL.
(2001).
Effects of relaxin on matrix remodeling enzyme activity of cultured equine ovarian stromal cells.
Anim Reprod Sci, 66(3-4), 239-255.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0378-4320(01)00100-2 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ont. N1G 2W1, Canada.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cells, Cultured
- Culture Media, Conditioned
- Extracellular Matrix / metabolism
- Female
- Horses
- Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / metabolism
- Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / metabolism
- Ovary / drug effects
- Ovary / enzymology
- Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 / metabolism
- Plasminogen Activators / metabolism
- Relaxin / pharmacology
- Stromal Cells / drug effects
- Stromal Cells / enzymology
- Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 / metabolism
- Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 / metabolism
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Peserico A, Barboni B, Camerano Spelta Rapini C, Di Berardino C, Capacchietti G, Canciello A, Konstantinidou F, Donato M, Stuppia L, Gatta V. Transcriptomic Profile of Early Antral Follicles: Predictive Somatic Gene Markers of Oocyte Maturation Outcome. Cells 2025 May 12;14(10).
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
