| Research Abstract |
There exists PACAP, ANP, BNP CNP and angiotensin and their receptors both in rat and human ovaries. PACAP, angiotensin 2, ANP, BNP and CNP regulate ovarian functions mainly through type II PACAP receptor, angiotensin receptor types 1 (AT1) and 2 (AT2) and ANP receptor types A, B and C, respectively. PACAP, ANP and angiotensin 2 appears to regulate cyclic nucleotides, cytosolic Ca2+, intracellular voltage, apoptosis, and adhesion molecule. Furthermore, PACAP, ANP, BNP and angiotensin regulates not only ovarian steroidogenesis but also gonadotropin-induced steroidogenesis. As for DNA polymerase activities, PACAP, ANP and angiotensin 2 controls DNA polymerase a activity, a replicating enzyme for DNA synthesis, indicating the involvement of PACAP, ANP and angiotensin 2 in ovarian cellular proliferation. In addition, PACAP, ANP and angiotensin 2 are mutually and closely involved in each action, endothelin, gonadotropin and growth hormone actions, and further they appears to regulate each receptor. In contrast, the involvement of PACAP, ANP, BNP and CNP except for angiotensin 2 in neovascularization has not been shown well. PACAP, ANP, BNP, CNP and angiotensin 2 with each receptor exist mainly in the granulosa cells than in thecal and interstitial cells. PACAP, ANP and angiotensin 2 are also suggested to be involved in ovarian atresia and oocyte function through type II PACAP receptor, type B ANP receptor and AT2. Furthermore, PACAP, ANP and angiotensin 2 regulate ovarian ion channels, Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERKs) and programmed death (apoptosis).
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