Expression localisation and functional activity of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and their receptors in mouse ovary

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) positively affect several parameters correlated with the ovulatory process. PACAP is transiently expressed in rat preovulatory follicles, while VIP is present in nerve fibres at all stages of development. These two peptides act by interacting with three types of receptors: PACAP type I receptor (PAC1 -R), which binds with higher affinity to PACAP, and two VIP receptors (VPAC1 -R and VPAC2-R), which bind to PACAP and VIP with equal affinity. The aim of the present study was to characterise the PACAPNIP/receptor system in the mouse ovary. Results obtained by RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridisation showed that PACAP was transiently expressed in granulosa cells of preovulatory follicles after human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) stimulation, while VIP mRNA was never observed. All the receptors were present in 22-day-old untreated mice. In preovulatory follicles, PAC1-R was expressed both in granulosa cells and in residual ovarian tissue but was stimulated by hCG mainly in granulosa cells; VPAC2-R was present in both the cell compartments and was only mildly stimulated; VPAC1 -R was present mainly in the residual ovarian tissue and was downregulated by hCG. PACAP and VIP were equipotent in inhibiting apoptosis in granulosa cells, confirming the presence of functional PACAPNIP receptors. The contemporary induction by hCG of PACAP and PAC1 -R in granulosa cells of preovulatory follicles suggests that, also in mouse ovary, PACAP may play a significant role around the time of ovulation. Moreover, the presence of PACAPNIP receptors in the untreated ovary suggests a possible role for PACAP and VIP during follicle development.