Endocrine Abstracts

The recent original data concerning interrelationships between metabolic hormones (ghrelin, leptin, obestatin) and feeding, action of metabolic hormones on basic ovarian functions (proliferation, apoptosis, secretory activity, response to gonadotropins, oocyte maturation) and intracellular mechanisms of its action in different species (rabbit, pig, human, chicken) are reviewed. It was shown, that metabolic hormones ghrelin, leptin and obestatin can control proliferation, apoptosis, release of ovarian hormones and alter response of ovarian cells to gonadotropin and other hormones, oocyte maturation and fecundity. Action of pharmacological blockers of protein kinases and of cell transfection with gene constructs for transcription factors demonstrated, that effects of metabolic hormones on ovarian cells are mediated by protein kinases A, MAP kinase, CDC2 kinase and transcription factors CREB, p53 and STAT-1. Malnutrition affects release of metabolic hormones and their action on ovarian cells, whilst administration of metabolic hormones can mimic, promote or prevent effect of food restriction on ovarian cells both in vivo and in vitro. The species-specific differences in ghrelin, leptin and obestatin action are discussed.

The present data suggest that metabolic hormones play an important role in control of ovarian functions in mammals and birds. It is proposed, that food restriction can control reproductive functions via changes in metabolic hormones output, which in turn, through protein kinases and transcription factors, can affect ovarian cell proliferation, apoptosis, secretory activity, response to gonadotropins and other hormonal stimulators and fecundity.

This study was performed during realization of the project CEGEZ 26220120042 supported by the Operational Programme Research and Development funded from the European Regional Development Fund.