Expression of manganese superoxide dismutase mRNA in reproductive organs during the ovulatory process and the estrous cycle of the rat.

Expression of manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) mRNA during the pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG)/human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG)-induced ovulatory process, and during the estrous cycle was examined in rat female reproductive organs. Mn-SOD mRNA levels in theca interna cells markedly increased in PMSG-primed rats and high levels of the transcripts were maintained after HCG injection. The PMSG-enhanced expression of Mn-SOD mRNA in follicular epithelial cells increased concomitantly with luteinization of these cells. The levels of Mn-SOD mRNA remained high and became equivalent in both granulosa and theca lutein cells 24 h after HCG injection. Neither luteinization nor the expression of Mn-SOD mRNA was observed in the epithelial cells of unovulated follicles. Luteal bodies had formed 3 days after HCG injection, and the same level of Mn-SOD mRNA expression continued in lutein cells, but not in stromal cells. During the estrous cycle, Mn-SOD mRNA was localized to theca interna cells on proestrus, to the epithelial cells of luteinizing follicles on estrus, and to newly formed luteal bodies on diestrus. The epithelial cells in the oviduct did not express Mn-SOD mRNA throughout the ovulatory process or the estrous cycle. Expression of Mn-SOD mRNA in the luminal epithelial cells of the uterus increased after PMSG injection, reaching a maximum after 24 h, and became relatively negative 3 days after HCG injection when corpora lutea had formed in the ovary. During the estrous cycle, uterine epithelial cells and leukocytes showed marked increases in Mn-SOD mRNA expression on estrus and on proestrus, respectively. Expression in the vaginal epithelium became apparent 3 days after HCG injection and continued for at least 12 days after HCG injection. The expression was localized to the superficial layer of the epithelium. During the estrous cycle, expression occurs in the basal layer on proestrus and estrus, transferring to the superficial layer on diestrus day 1, and expression stops on diestrus day 2. The relationship between the expression of Mn-SOD mRNA and hormone-induced metabolic changes, including steroidogenesis, is discussed.