
%0 Journal Article
%A Basini, G. 
%A Mainardi, G. L. 
%A Bussolati, S. 
%A Tamanini, C. 
%T Steroidogenesis, proliferation and apoptosis in bovine granulosa cells: role of tumour necrosis factor-&#945; and its possible signalling mechanisms
%J Reproduction, Fertility and Development
%D 2002/06/05
%V 14
%N 3
%P 141-150
%K 
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/RD01049
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/RD01049 
%X This study was designed to investigate the presence of bioactive tumour necrosis factor-&#945; (TNF-&#945;) in bovine fluid collected from small (&#60;5 mm) and large (&#62;8 mm) follicles, as well as the production of the cytokine by the granulosa cells collected from the same type of follicles. Moreover, the effectiveness of 10, 1 and 0.1 ng mL-1 of human TNF-&#945; (hTNF-&#945;) in affecting the main parameters of granulosa cell function, progesterone (P4) and oestradiol-17&#946; (E2) production, cell proliferation and apoptosis, was tested. In addition, the study aimed to determine whether the signalling mechanisms of TNF-&#945; in these cells involve cAMP, nitric oxide or prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and F2&#945; (PGF2&#945;). It emerged that bioactive TNF-&#945; is present in follicular fluid from both types of follicles and can be measured in media conditioned by granulosa cells from large follicles. As for the effects of hTNF-&#945; , it inhibits P4 production in cells from both types of follicles and stimulates E2 output in those from small follicles; it does not affect proliferation, but it stimulates granulosa cell apoptosis. Finally, the effects of hTNF-&#945; on bovine granulosa cells are not mediated by nitric oxide or cAMP, as neither of these substances were affected by treatment with the cytokine; however, in some way, they could be mediated through PGE2 and PGF2&#945;, the production of which was inhibited by TNF-&#945; in cells from small follicles. 
