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Vertebrate reproductive science and technology
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Effects of thyroid hormone on ovarian cell apoptosis in the rat

Qiaozhi Wang A , Xiaoshu Ma A and Cheng Zhang https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2962-0839 A B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A College of Life Science, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, P.R. China.

B Corresponding author. Email: zhch8012@163.com

Reproduction, Fertility and Development 32(12) 1060-1066 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD20110
Submitted: 18 April 2020  Accepted: 18 June 2020   Published: 13 July 2020

Abstract

Follicle development is a complicated process regulated by thyroid hormone (TH). TH dysregulation is associated with reproductive disorders; however, the mechanism underlying these relationships remains unclear. Glucose-related protein 78 (GRP78) is a well-characterised endoplasmic reticulum stress protein related to ovarian cell apoptosis. To clarify whether GRP78 is regulated by TH and the involvement of GRP78 in follicle development, we established rat models of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism and investigated the effects of TH dysregulation on levels of GRP78, C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) and cleaved caspase-3. TH dysregulation decreased levels of GRP78 and increased those of CHOP and cleaved caspase-3 in both rat models. However, treatment with equine chorionic gonadotrophin reversed these effects, as well as granulosa cell apoptosis induced by TH dysregulation. Together, these results provide evidence that TH dysregulation alters the GRP78 expression profile, triggering the apoptotic signalling pathway, and suggest that GRP78 is a novel mediator of TH in follicle development.

Graphical Abstract Image

Additional keywords: glucose-related protein 78 (GRP78), ovary.


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