Steroidogenesis-related gene expression in the rat ovary exposed to melatonin supplementation

Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2015 Feb;70(2):144-51. doi: 10.6061/clinics/2015(02)12.

Abstract

Objective: To analyze steroidogenesis-related gene expression in the rat ovary exposed to melatonin supplementation.

Methods: Thirty-two virgin adult female rats were randomized to two groups as follows: the control group GI received vehicle and the experimental group GII received melatonin supplementation (10 µg/night per animal) for 60 consecutive days. After the treatment, animals were anesthetized and the collected ovaries were immediately placed in liquid nitrogen for complementary deoxyribonucleic acid microarray analyses. A GeneChip(®) Kit Rat Genome 230 2.0 Affymetrix Array was used for gene analysis and the experiment was repeated three times for each group. The results were normalized with the GeneChip(®) Operating Software program and confirmed through analysis with the secondary deoxyribonucleic acid-Chip Analyzer (dChip) software. The data were confirmed by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis. Genes related to ovarian function were further confirmed by immunohistochemistry.

Results: We found the upregulation of the type 9 adenylate cyclase and inhibin beta B genes and the downregulation of the cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element modulator and cytochrome P450 family 17a1 genes in the ovarian tissue of GII compared to those of the control group.

Conclusion: Our data suggest that melatonin supplementation decreases gene expression of cyclic adenosine monophosphate, which changes ovarian steroidogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenylyl Cyclases / genetics*
  • Adenylyl Cyclases / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cyclic AMP / metabolism
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element Modulator / genetics
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element Modulator / metabolism
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Female
  • Gene Expression / drug effects*
  • Inhibin-beta Subunits / genetics*
  • Inhibin-beta Subunits / metabolism
  • Melatonin / metabolism
  • Melatonin / pharmacology*
  • Models, Animal
  • Ovary / drug effects*
  • Ovary / metabolism
  • RNA, Complementary / isolation & purification
  • Random Allocation
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase / drug effects
  • Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase / genetics
  • Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase / metabolism
  • Tissue Array Analysis / methods
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Crem protein, rat
  • Inhbb protein, mouse
  • RNA, Complementary
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element Modulator
  • Inhibin-beta Subunits
  • Cyclic AMP
  • CYP17A1 protein, rat
  • Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase
  • Adenylyl Cyclases
  • adenylate cyclase 9
  • Melatonin