H. Hamada et al., [H-3] NALOXONE BINDING-SITES IN PORCINE OVARIAN FOLLICLES AND CORPORA-LUTEA DURING THE OVARIAN CYCLE, European journal of endocrinology, 132(5), 1995, pp. 622-626
We demonstrated the presence of opioid receptors in the porcine ovary
using [H-3]naloxone. We also examined the change in the number of opio
id receptors during follicular maturation. in addition, we found speci
fic binding of [H-3]naloxone in the porcine ovary using naloxone, beta
-endorphin, methionine-enkephalin and dynorphin. The binding of [H-3]n
aloxone to porcine granulosa cells and the 2000-g subcellular fraction
of corpora lutea was examined to demonstrate the presence of specific
[H-3]naloxone binding in the porcine ovary. Binding of [H-3]naloxone
td porcine granulosa cells was displaced by cold naloxone and beta-end
orphin but not by dynorphin and methionine-enkephalin. A similar pheno
menon was also demonstrated in the 2000 g subcellular fraction of porc
ine corpora lutea. However, Scatchard analyses revealed a single class
of high-affinity (K-d = 28.5 x 10(-9) mol/l) and low-capacity binding
sites (B-max = 30.5 fmol/5 x 10(6) cells) in porcine granulosa cells.
Similar binding parameters were obtained in the 2000-g subcellular fr
action of porcine luteal tissue (K-d = 28.3 x 10(-9) mol/l, B-max = 59
.3 nmol/kg protein). [H-3]Naloxone binding sites in the porcine ovary
showed binding characteristics similar to those of opioid receptors in
other organs like brain, uterus and placenta. Furthermore, we demonst
rated that the specific binding sites of [H-3]naloxone in porcine gran
ulosa cells decreased during follicular maturation. Opioid receptors h
ave been detected in the uterus, placenta and Sertoli cell cultures in
some species. However, there is no detailed study on opioid receptors
in granulosa cells and luteal tissues in any species. Our data sugges
t a relationship between folliculogenesis and ovarian opioid peptides.
The opioid system may participate in the regulation of follicular mat
uration.