Granulosa Cell Exposure to Excess Androgens Inhibits Their Ability to Proliferate in the Cow Which May Cause or Perpetuate Androgen Excess

Authors

Andrea S. Cupp, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Sarah Romereim, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Adam F. Summers Summers, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
William E. Pohlmeier, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Renee M. McFee, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Renata Spuri- Gomes, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Scott G. Kurz, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Anthony K. McNeel, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Robert A. Cushman, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
John S. Davis, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Jennifer R. Wood, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2016

Citation

2016 Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Comments

© The Board Regents of the University of Nebraska. All rights reserved.

Abstract

Within the UNL physiology herd, a group of cows have been identified with excess androgen (androstenedione, A4) in their dominant follicle (30 fold higher than controls) and a 17% reduction in calving rate, suggesting subfertility. Th e objective was to identify altered granulosa cell gene expression that could be preventing these cells from converting excess androgen into estrogen. Microarray analysis suggests these granulosa cells experience inhibited proliferation resulting in a reduced total population of cells. Improved understanding of the causes of this phenotype may provide beef producers with tools to identify potentially subfertile cattle and improve reproductive efficiency.