REGULATION OF ANGIOTENSIN II RECEPTOR EXPRESSION IN OVARIAN FOLLICLES

SUMMARY The regulation of angiotensin (Ang) II receptor expression in ovarian follicles was reviewed. Ang II receptor expression, assessed as the Ang II binding capacity, varied with the animal species and the developmental stage of the follicle. In cows, the expression correlated positively with follicular size and negatively with the active renin concentration in the follicular wall tissue. No relations were found to the follicular fluid concentrations of prorenin, estradiol or progesterone. In cell cultures, luteinizing hormone up-regulated Ang II receptor expression in cows, whereas it was decreased by follicle-stimulating hormone, Ang II and testosterone in rats. These data support the concept of an active and regulated RAS in ovarian follicles. The species differences in Ang II expression suggest varying functional roles of the RAS between species.