Steroidogenesis in primary cultures of neonatal porcine Leydig cells from Duroc and Norwegian Landrace breeds

Abstract

Breed differences in steroidogenic activity between primary Leydig cells derived from neonatal purebred Duroc and Norwegian Landrace boars were investigated in vitro. Concentrations of testosterone, estradiol, androstenone, cortisol and progesterone produced into the medium were determined. To explore underlying mechanisms the cellular expression of a suite of genes relevant in steroidogenesis was measured using reverse transcription and quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Basal steroid concentrations indicated a larger production capacity for steroids in unstimulated Duroc cells. Stimulation of the cells with LH increased steroid hormone secretion significantly in both breeds in a dose dependent manner. Testosterone and androstenone concentrations increased approximately 50- and 15-fold, respectively, whereas concentrations of estradiol, cortisol and progesterone increased to a lesser extent. At levels of maximal LH stimulation, absolute steroid concentrations were higher in Duroc. However, the relative increase in hormone concentrations was significantly lower in Duroc cells for estradiol, progesterone and cortisol when compared to basal levels. LH exposure was associated with a general up-regulation of mRNA levels for steroidogenic genes, stronger in Duroc than in Norwegian Landrace. This was in agreement with the higher absolute concentrations of steroid hormones measured in culture medium from the LH-stimulated Duroc Leydig cells, but did not concur with the fact that the relative increase in hormone production was lower in Duroc than in Norwegian Landrace Leydig cells for some hormones. It was concluded that breed differences in steroid hormone concentrations and gene expression between Norwegian Landrace and Duroc are complex and cannot be explained by a simple mechanism of action.