Regulation of Progesterone Biosynthesis by Androgens and Estrogen in the Domestic Hen

Janice Bahr博士计划用母鸡作为模型系统来研究排卵的调节。家母鸡有一种独特的产蛋模式，它在连续几天的晚些时候下蛋，直到下午晚些时候下最后一个蛋。然后母鸡跳过一天，重新设置生物钟，以便下一组蛋的第一个蛋在清晨下。这项持续研究的目标是了解内分泌系统、大脑（生物钟）和生殖系统之间的相互作用，从而产生这种独特的模式。这项工作的重点是控制排卵诱导激素LH（由垂体产生）对卵泡壁颗粒细胞中黄体酮产生的调节作用的因素。孕激素激增触发卵泡排卵；因此，这些细胞中雌激素和雄激素合成孕酮的调节对排卵的调节至关重要。垂体产生的黄体生成素受血液中黄体酮和雌激素水平以及下丘脑（大脑）控制的释放因子的调节。这些结果对我们理解脊椎动物物种的排卵控制具有重要意义。

Dr. Janice Bahr plans to study the regulation of ovulation using the hen as a model system. The domestic hen has a unique egg laying pattern, in that it lays an egg at a later time on sequential days until the last egg is laid late in the afternoon. The hen then skips a day and resets the biological clock so that the first egg of the next sequence of eggs is laid early in the morning. The objective of this continuing research effort is to understand the interplay between the endocrine system, the brain (biological clock) and the reproductive system that gives rise to this unique pattern. The focus of the work is on factors controlling the action of the ovulation inducing hormone, LH, (produced by the pituitary) on the regulation of progesterone production in the granulosa cells in the wall of the follicle. Progesterone surges trigger ovulation from the follicle; therefore, the regulation of progesterone synthesis from estrogens and androgens in these cells is critical in the regulation of ovulation. LH production by the pituitary is regulated by both blood levels of progesterone and estrogen and by releasing factors that are under the control of the hypothalamus (brain). The results are of prime importance to our understanding of the control of ovulation in vertebrate species.