SOD2 deficiency-induced oxidative stress attenuates steroidogenesis in mouse ovarian granulosa cells. Molecular and cellular endocrinology Zaidi, S. K., Shen, W. J., Cortez, Y. n., Bittner, S. n., Bittner, A. n., Arshad, S. n., Huang, T. T., Kraemer, F. B., Azhar, S. n. 2020: 110888

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of SOD2 (MnSOD)-deficiency-induced excessive oxidative stress on ovarian steroidogenesis in vivo and isolated and cultured granulosa cells using WT and Sod2?±?mice. Basal and 48?h eCG-stimulated plasma progesterone levels were decreased ~50% in female Sod2?±?mice, whereas plasma progesterone levels were decreased ~70% in Sod2?±?mice after sequential stimulation with eCG followed by hCG. Sod2?±?deficiency caused about 50% reduction in SOD2 activity in granulosa cells. SOD2-deficiency also caused a marked reduction in progestins and estradiol in isolated granulosa cells. qRT-PCR measurements indicated that the mRNA expression levels of StAR protein and steroidogenic enzymes are decreased in the ovaries of Sod2?±?mice. Further studies showed a defect in the movement of mobilized cytosolic cholesterol to mitochondria. The ovarian membrane from Sod2?±?mice showed higher susceptibility to lipid peroxidation. These data indicates that SOD2-deficiency induced oxidative stress inhibits ovarian granulosa cell steroidogenesis primarily by interfering with cholesterol transport to mitochondria and attenuating the expression of Star protein gene and key steroidogenic enzyme genes.

View details for DOI 10.1016/j.mce.2020.110888

View details for PubMedID 32717420