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A Chakravorty

Publications and source records attributed to A Chakravorty.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Oxygen atom transfer from nitrogenous ReVO reagents to diphosphines and subsequent transformations. Rhenium(III) products and reaction models.

The concerned diphosphines are Ph2P(CH2)nPPh2 (1), abbreviated PnP, and the ReVO reagents are ReOCl3L (2) and ReOCl3L' (3), where L and L' are the azopyridine and pyridine-imine ligands p-ClC6H4N=NC5H4N and p-MeC6H4N=CHC5H4N, respectively. One atom transfer from 2 to 1 has afforded Re(OPnP)Cl3L (4a, n = 1; 4b, n = 2; 4c, n = 3). Of these 4b and 4c are stable, but 4a undergoes spontaneous isomerization to Re(PlPO)Cl3L (5) in solution. Two-atom transfer studied with both 2 and 3 has afforded binuclear LCl3Re(OPnPO)ReCl3L (8a, n = 2; 8b, n = 3) and L'Cl3Re(OPnPO)ReCl3L' (9a, n = 2; 9b, n = 3) for n = 2, 3 and mononuclear Re(OP1PO)Cl3L (11) and Re(OP1PO)Cl3L' (12) for n = 1. The mixed system L'Cl3Re(OP2PO)ReCl3L (10) has been prepared from 3 and 4b. The complex Re(PPh3)Cl3L (7a) is furnished by the reaction of Re(OPPh3)Cl3L (6a) or 4b or 11 with PPh3. The species have been characterized with the help of spectral, electrochemical, and X-ray structural data. All the complexes have mer geometry except 5 and 7a, which have fac geometry. The latter is best suited for concurrent Re-N and Re-P back-bonding. Variable-temperature rate data of the reaction 4a-->5 are consistent with an intramolecular strongly associative transition state (delta S++, -22.6 eu) in which the dangling phosphine function lies close to the metal. Two-atom transfer to P1P is believed to proceed via a transient binuclear intermediate which undergoes cleavage at one end due to steric crowding, affording 11 and 12. Crystal data for the complexes are as follows: 5.1.5 C6H6, empirical formula C45H39Cl4N3OP2Re, crystal system triclinic, space group P1, a = 10.034(2) A, b = 10.737(2) A, c = 20.357(4) A, alpha = 89.38(3) degrees, beta = 87.79(3) degrees, gamma = 80.22(3) degrees, V = 2159.7(7) A3, Z = 2; 7a.CH2Cl2, empirical formula C30H25Cl6N3PRe, crystal system monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n, a = 11.695(6) A, b = 17.745(7) A, c = 15.459(9) A, beta = 100.94(5) degrees, V = 3150(3) A3, Z = 4; 9a, empirical formula C52H48Cl6N4O2P2Re2, crystal system monoclinic, space group C2/c, a = 19.769(12) A, b = 12.864(6) A, c = 22.20(2) A, beta = 101.76(6) degrees, V = 5530(6) A3, Z = 4; 11, empirical formula C36H30Cl4N3O2P2Re, crystal system monoclinic, space group I2/a, a = 16.866(6) A, b = 12.583(6) A, c = 34.78(2) A, beta = 99.22(4) degrees, V = 7285(7) A3, Z = 8.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Chemistry of metal-bound anion radicals. A family of mono- and bis(azopyridine) chelates of bivalent ruthenium.

The reaction of the dihydride [RuII(H)2(CO)(PPh3)3], 3, with excess azo-2,2'-bipyridine (abp) in boiling dry benzene has afforded the diradical bischelate [RuII(abp.-)2(CO)(PPh3)], 4, and the hydridic monochelate monoradical [RuII(abp.-)(H)(CO)(PPh3)2], 5. A similar reaction between 3 and 2-(p-chlorophenylazo)pyridine (Clpap) did not yield a bischelate, but the hydridic monoradical [RuII(Clpap.-)(H)(CO)(PPh3)2], 6, has been isolated. Upon treatment of 4-6 with NH4PF6 in a wet dichloromethane-acetonitrile medium, the one-electron-oxidized salts 4+PF6-, 5+PF6-, and 6+PF6- are isolated, H+ being the oxidizing agent. The X-ray structures of 4+PF6-.CH2Cl2, 5+PF6-.H2O, and 6+PF6- have been determined. In the monoradical 4+ the azo N-N bond lengths in the two chelate rings are 1.284(6) and 1.336(6) A, showing that the radical electron is localized in the latter ring. The half-filled extended Hückel HOMO is indeed found to be so localized, and it has a large azo character. Complexes 4-6 display radical redox couples with E1/2 in the range -0.5 to +0.10 V vs SCE. The E1/2 values qualitatively correlate with corresponding vco values (1900-2000 cm-1). The monoradicals (S = 1/2) 4+, 5, and 6 uniformly display a strong EPR signal near g = 2.00. Metal-mediated magnetic interaction makes the EPR-silent diradical 4 strongly antiferromagnetic with J = -299 cm-1. Crystal data are as follows: (4+PF6-.CH2Cl2, C40H33Cl2F6N8-OP2Ru) monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c (no. 14), a = 14.174(6) A, b = 16.451(4) A, c = 18.381(4) A, beta = 98.00(3) degrees, Z = 4; (5+PF6-.H2O, C47H41F6N4O2P3Ru) monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n (no. 14), a = 9.433(2) A, b = 38.914(17) A, c = 13.084(3) A, beta = 103.47(2) degrees, Z = 4; (6+PF6-, C48H39ClF6N3OP3Ru) monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n (no. 14), a = 10.496(5) A, b = 22.389(8) A, c = 19.720(6) A, beta = 90.53(3) degrees, Z = 4.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Azo anion radical complexes of osmium and related nonradical species.

The reaction of [Os(H)(Br)(CO)(PPh3)3], 5, with 2-(phenylazo)pyridine (pap) in boiling dry heptane has afforded the azo anion radical complex [Os(pap.-)(Br)(CO)(PPh3)2], 6a, as the major product and [Os(pap)(H)(CO)(PPh3)2]Br, 7, as a minor byproduct. Upon replacing pap by the better pi-acceptor azo-2,2'-bipyridine (abp) in the above synthesis, the radical complex [Os(abp.-)(Br)(CO)(PPh3)2], 6b, becomes the sole product. It is proposed that 6 is formed via homolytic cleavage of the Os-H bond in 5; in the formation of 7, the Os-Br bond of 5 is heterolytically cleaved. The X-ray structures of 6b and 7.CH2Cl2 have been determined. In 6b, the N-N length is 1.35(2) A, consistent with the anion radical description; in 7.CH2Cl2 the length is 1.27(1) A. The spin-bearing extended Huckel HOMO in a model of 6 is found to be approximately 70% azo-pi* in character associated with a small metal contribution. An electronic band observed in the range 600-700 nm in solutions of 6 is assigned to the HOMO --> LUMO transition, the LUMO being 95% pyridine-pi* in character. One-electron paramagnetic 6 displays well-defined anisotropic EPR features near g = 2.00. The anisotropy arises from the metal character of HOMO and is magnified by the large spin-orbit coupling in osmium. In a moisture-free environment 6 is indefinitely stable in the solid state, but in CH2Cl2-MeCN solution 6a is rapidly oxidized by air, affording [Os(pap)(Br)(CO)(PPh3)2]+, 6a+, which has been isolated as the diamagnetic PF6- salt; 6b+PF6- has been similarly prepared. The voltammetric reduction potentials of the 6+/6 couple follow the order 6a+/6a < 6b+/6b, and the carbon monoxide stretching frequencies follow the order 6a < 6b and 6a+ < 6b+. These trends are consistent with the pi-acidity order pap < abp. Crystal data are as follows: (6b, C47H38BrN4OOsP2) monoclinic, space group P21/c (no. 14), a = 10.215(4) A, b = 17.634(7) A, c = 22.473(8) A, beta = 97.67(3) degrees , Z = 4; (7.CH2Cl2, C49H42BrCl2N3OOsP2) monoclinic, space group P2(1/n) (no. 14), a = 15.323(7) A, b = 15.201(6) A, c = 19.542(7) A, beta = 92.51(3) degrees, Z = 4.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Chemistry of the rhenium-azopyridine family: an oxo parent and derivatives thereof including a novel oxo-imido dimer.

The concerned azo ligands are 2-(phenylazo)pyridine (HL) and 2-((p-chlorophenyl)azo)pyridine (ClL). The reaction of KReO4 with HL in hot concentrated HCl is attended with metal reduction and ligand chlorination affording the oxo complex ReVOCl3(ClL), 2, which furnishes ReIII(OPPh3)Cl3(ClL), 3, upon treatment with PPh3. Aromatic amines, ArNH2, convert 2 to the imido complex ReV(NAr)Cl3(ClL), 5, and the unusual oxo-imido dimer (ClL)-Cl2(O)ReVOReV(NAr)Cl2(ClL), 7. The complex ReIII(OPPh3)Cl3(HL), 4, has been generated from ReVOCl3(PPh3)2 and HL. Reaction of 4 with HL has yielded ReV(NPh)Cl3(HL), 6, via azo splitting. The complexes have been characterized with the help spectral, magnetic, and X-ray structural data (2, 3, 5c (Ar = pClC6H4) and 7.CH2Cl2 (Ar = pMeC6H4)). In 2, 3, and 5c the ReCl3 fragment is meridionally disposed, and in 7 the ReCl2 fragments have a trans configuration. The Re-O(oxo) bond, 1.663(6) A, in 2 and Re-N(imido) bond, 1.719(5) A, in 5c are triple bonds. The corresponding bonds are slightly longer in 7 wherein the (O)Re(1)-O(2)-Re(2)(NAr) bridge is angular (151.0(5) degrees) and unsymmetrical, the Re(1)-O(2) bond, 1.849(7) A, having a large double-bond character (Re(2)-O(2), 1.954(7) A). In effect, cis-ReVO2 acts as a monodentate oxygen ligand toward ReVNAr in 7. In all cases the pyridine nitrogen binds trans to the oxo, OPPh3, or NAr donor. Bond length data are consistent with the presence of substantial d(Re)-pi*(azo) back-bonding. In acetonitrile solution the complexes display electrochemical one-electron metal (ReVI/ReV or ReIV/ReIII) and azo redox. The imido ligand in 5 stabilizes the ReVI state (E1/2 approximately 1.4 V) better than the oxo ligand in 2 (approximately 1.9 V). Parallely it is more difficult to reduce the azo group in 5 (approximately -0.4 V) than in 2 (approximately 0.0 V). In 7 the metal (approximately 1.0 V) and azo (approximately -0.4 V) couples correspond to the imido and oxo halves, respectively. The significantly higher (by 0.2-0.6 V) metal reduction potentials of the azopyridine compared to pyridine-2-aldimine complexes is ascribed to the superior pi-acidity and electron-withdrawing character of the azo function relative to the aldimine function. This also makes the transfer of the ReVO oxygen function much more facile under azopyridine chelation as in 2. For the same reason, ReOCl3(PPh3)2 reacts with HL affording only 4 while it reacts with pyridine-2-aldimines furnishing oxo species. Crystal data for the complexes are as follows: 2, empirical formula C11H8Cl4N3ORe, crystal system triclinic, space group P1, a = 7.118(4) A, b = 8.537(4) A, c = 13.231(9) A, alpha = 79.16(5) degrees, beta = 78.03(5) degrees, gamma = 70.96(4) degrees, V = 737.2(7) A3, Z = 2; 3, empirical formula C29H23Cl4N3OPRe, crystal system monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n, a = 11.264(2) A, b = 15.221(3) A, c = 17.628(4) A, beta = 94.21(3) degrees, V = 3014(1) A3, Z = 4; 5c, empirical formula C17H12Cl5N4Re, crystal system triclinic, space group P1, a = 9.683(3) A, b = 10.898(3) A, c = 11.522(3) A, alpha = 63.67(2) degrees, beta = 71.24(2) degrees, gamma = 86.79(2) degrees, V = 1026(1) A3, Z = 2; 7.CH2Cl2, empirical formula C30H25Cl8N7O2Re2, crystal system triclinic, space group P1, a = 12.522(6) A, b = 12.857(8) A, c = 13.182(7) A, alpha = 67.75(4) degrees, beta = 88.30(4) degrees, gamma = 82.09(4) degrees, V = 1945(2) A3, Z = 2.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Hepatitis G virus (HGV) infection in voluntary and commercial blood donors in India.

The prevalence of hepatitis G virus (HGV) has been determined in commercial as well as voluntary blood donors from India by detecting viral RNA genome using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay. 45 professional blood donors from private blood banks and 50 healthy controls who opted for voluntary blood donation were recruited for the study. Both the groups were also screened serologically for HBV and HCV infection. The prevalence of HGV in the general population in India was found to be 4% but significantly a higher frequency (46.6%; p<0.001) of HGV was observed in commercial blood donors.

Blood Donors↗
PubMed2000

The changing epidemiological pattern of hepatitis A in an urban population of India: emergence of a trend similar to the European countries.

The present study was undertaken to determine the seroprevalence of the antibody against hepatitis A virus (IgG anti-HAV) in an urban population sample from Delhi (India) and to assess any change in the epidemiological pattern of HAV infection in this part of the world. A total of 500 healthy subjects were enrolled and divided into groups on the basis of age, sex and per capita income and evaluated for the presence of IgG anti HAV antibodies using a commercially available kit. The mean age of all the subjects was 32.6 +/- 13.2 yr. and the male:female ratio was 1.5:1. The overall prevalence of IgG anti-HAV in all subjects was 71.2% (356/500). The prevalence in subjects >35 years (92.1% [186/202]) was significantly higher than that in subjects <35 years (92.1% [186/202]) was significantly higher than in subjects <35 years (57% [170/298]). No statistically significant difference was observed between male and female subjects (71.4% [217/304] vs. 70.9% [139/196]) or between subjects belonging to middle and low socioeconomic groups (68.9% [135/196] vs. 72.7% [221/304]). These findings when compared with the results that were obtained in 1982, showed a decreasing prevalence of IgG anti-HAV, most significantly in younger age groups (16-35 years). Thus, we may conclude that the seroepidemiology of hepatitis A virus infection in urban population of India seems to be changing with seroprevalence in the younger population approaching a figure similar to that of the more developed European countries.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Corticotropin-releasing hormone stimulates P450 17alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase in human fetal adrenal cells via protein kinase C.

CRH directly stimulates dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) production in human fetal adrenal cells. In the human fetal and adult pituitary, CRH acts via protein kinase A (PKA). We determined the CRH signal transduction pathway in fetal adrenal cells, i.e. whether CRH modulates human fetal adrenal steroidogenesis via PKA and/or protein kinase C (PKC). In primary cultures, CRH increased inositol trisphosphate. After CRH treatment, inositol tris-, bis-, and monophosphates increased within 1 min, reaching maximal levels at 5 min. In contrast, PGF2alpha, known to act via PKC, induced a sustained response for up to 20 min. The response to CRH was dose dependent, maximal at 1 micromol/L at both 1 and 5 min. CRH increased DHEAS production, with a much lesser effect on cortisol. CRH did not stimulate inositol phospholipid in adult adrenal glands, suggesting that this pathway is unique to the fetal adrenal. CRH increased messenger ribonucleic acid encoding 17alpha-hydroxylase/17,20 lyase (P450c17), but not 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/delta(4-5) isomerase. However, 3betaHSD expression was stimulated by ACTH. PKC, but not PKA, inhibitors blocked CRH-stimulated P450c17 induction, whereas PKA inhibitors blocked ACTH-stimulated cortisol. Thus, CRH is coupled to the phospholipase C-inositol phosphate second messenger system and preferentially induces the expression of P450c17 and DHEAS, suggesting a unique role of CRH regulating human fetal adrenal function via PKC.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases↗
PubMed1994

Fungal colonization of untreated peptic ulcer.

AIM: To evaluate the relationship between Candida and peptic ulcer. METHODS: One hundred consecutive patients with untreated peptic ulcer (81 with duodenal ulcer and 19 with gastric ulcer) were studied using histopathology, culture and fungal serology. Twenty subjects with non-ulcer dyspepsia were taken as controls. RESULTS: Forty seven patients (47%) with peptic ulcer were colonized by Candida as compared to 3 patients (15%) with non ulcer dyspepsia (p < 0.05). Confluent growth of Candida on culture of gastric aspirate or biopsy from ulcer edge was a more sensitive method for diagnosis of peptic ulcer-associated candidiasis than histological examination. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of Candida isolation in relation to age or sex of the patients, smoking habit and alcoholism. Large ulcers (> 2 cm) were, however, more often colonized by Candida (75%) than smaller ones (43%) (p < 0.05). Candida albicans was the commonest species isolated (60%). Invasive candidiasis was associated with Candida agglutinin titer of 1:128 in 81% of cases. CONCLUSION: Candida colonization rate in peptic ulcer is significantly higher than in non-ulcer dyspepsia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Characterization of insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I actions in the bovine luteal cell: regulation of receptor tyrosine kinase activity, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase, and deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis.

The pleiotropic effects of insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) are mediated via the intrinsic tyrosine kinase activity of their receptors. The potential role of insulin and IGF-I receptor tyrosine kinases in the bovine luteal cell was investigated in terms of autophosphorylation of the receptor and phosphorylation of endogenous and exogenous substrates. Insulin and IGF-I receptors were isolated by wheat germ agglutinin-agarose chromatography and immunoprecipitation with antiphosphotyrosine antibodies (alpha PY20). Insulin and IGF-I treatment of purified receptors or luteal cells in culture resulted in phosphorylation of a protein of 95,000 mol wt. This phosphoprotein was further identified as the autophosphorylated beta-subunit of the insulin/IGF-I receptor by immunoprecipitation with an anti-beta-subunit receptor antibody. The protein tyrosine kinase activity of the receptors was also stimulated after insulin or IGF-I treatment, resulting in a 3- to 4-fold increase in phosphorylation of a synthetic substrate poly(Glu4:Tyr1). Insulin and IGF-I treatment also increased (4.5-fold) phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI-3-kinase) activity in alpha PY20 immunoprecipitates from whole cell lysates, suggesting that this enzyme was regulated by a receptor tyrosine kinase-mediated mechanism. The presence of PI-3-kinase in alpha PY20 immunoprecipitates was further confirmed by the sensitivity of the enzyme to detergents and by immunoblot analysis using a PI-3-kinase antibody. The actions of insulin and IGF-I on tyrosine kinase and PI-3-kinase activity were associated with increased protein and DNA synthesis. Insulin and IGF-I treatment of cultured luteal cells for 18 h increased [3H]thymidine incorporation (6- to 7-fold). The effects of insulin and IGF-I were optimal at 10 micrograms/ml and 50 ng/ml, respectively, and were not additive. The stimulatory effects of insulin and IGF-I on thymidine incorporation were blocked by genistein, a specific inhibitor of protein tyrosine kinase. These findings demonstrate a cascade of insulin and IGF-I receptor tyrosine kinase-mediated pathways in the bovine luteal cell, manifested as increased activity of signal transduction enzymes and increased DNA synthesis.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Control of peptides regulating mitosis of granulosa cells in immature rat ovary by oestrogen and gonadotrophin.

Previous studies in this laboratory have demonstrated the presence of a peptide that inhibits granulosa cell proliferation in medium sized follicles. This peptide was produced after 72-96 h of exposure to diethylstilboestrol (DES). This study analyses oestrogen and gonadotrophin modulation of this and another stimulatory peptide found in large follicles. Intact, immature, female rats were assigned to the following study groups: (i) one to four injections of DES (2 mg per rat) given at intervals of 24 h, animals killed 24 h after the last injection; (ii) DES at 0 and 24 h, animals killed 24 or 48 h after the last injection; and (iii) DES plus pentobarbital (37 mg kg-1 body weight) at 30 h, animals killed 48 h after the last injection. Small, medium and large follicles (diameters of < 200, 200-400 and > 400 microns, respectively) were isolated from ovaries, granulosa cells were harvested and follicular fluid supernatant (FFS) was collected. FFS proteins were tested for their effects on incorporation of [3H]thymidine into granulosa cell DNA. Results showed that unfractionated FFS protein (150 micrograms) from medium follicles in groups (i) (three and four injections only), (ii) and (iii) inhibited [3H]thymidine incorporation. Pentobarbital blockage of gonadotrophin secretion had no effect on the inhibitory peptide activity and two injections of diethylstilboestrol were enough to stimulate synthesis of the inhibitory peptide, provided sufficient time was allowed; FFS protein (150 micrograms) from large follicles was stimulatory, but only when it was collected 24 h after the second injection, and the effect was abolished with pentobarbital treatment. Fractionation of pooled FFS into proteins with three molecular mass ranges (< 10 kDa, 10-30 kDa and > 30 kDa) showed that the inhibitory activity was in the < 10 kDa fraction while the > 30 kDa fraction stimulated thymidine incorporation. The number of medium and large follicles increased 24 h after the second DES injection, but the number of granulosa cells in the large follicles was significantly reduced after pentobarbital blockage of gonadotrophins. Taken together, these findings show that (i) the inhibitory peptide is induced in effective amounts in the medium follicles 48 h after the second DES injection and induction is not modulated by gonadotrophins; and (ii) stimulatory activity seen in the large follicles is transient and under gonadotrophic control, since blockage of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion led to loss of stimulatory activity and a resulting reduction in number of granulosa cells in large follicles.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Regulation of follicular development by diethylstilboestrol in ovaries of immature rats.

Immature female rats received either one injection of 2 mg diethylstilboestrol (DES)/rat subcutaneously and were killed 12 h later or received two injections of DES at 0 and 24 h and were killed at 24, 36 and 48 h after the initial injection. The ovarian follicles were released by enzymic digestion with collagenase and separated into those of small, medium and large diameter (less than 200 microns, 200-400 microns and greater than 400 microns) by filtration through graded Teflon sieves and granulosa cells were extracted from these follicles. The ovaries of immature rats treated with pregnant mares' serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) were used for comparative purposes. Incorporation of [3H]thymidine into granulosa cell DNA was augmented by DES and by PMSG. Small follicles were more strongly stimulated by DES at 12 h than those of other sizes, but rates increased significantly in medium and large follicles at 48 h. Aromatase activity in the DES-treated group was low at all times and in all follicles. Rates of oestrogen and progesterone production in response to 36 h of exposure to follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in vitro were significantly lower than in the PMSG-treated group. FSH-stimulated steroid production in the DES group at 36-48 h was lower, particularly in the medium follicles. A significant rise in serum FSH, luteinizing hormone (LH) and progesterone concentrations was noted only at 36 h after DES treatment, while serum and follicular fluid oestrogen values remained unchanged. When these changes were compared with those in PMSG-treated rats, there were obvious differences. The pattern of thymidine incorporation and aromatase activity differed with time and follicle size. Serum FSH and LH values were not affected by PMSG treatment, but serum and follicular fluid oestradiol values increased with time. The PMSG-treated animals ovulated in response to human chorionic gonadotrophin, but the DES-treated rats did not ovulate in spite of the presence of some large antral follicles in the ovaries. These findings show that initial exposure of follicles to high concentrations of oestrogen results in follicles which fail to respond to subsequent gonadotrophin surges and are thereby restricted in their ability to differentiate fully.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Inhibition by diethylstilboestrol of proliferative potential of follicles of different sizes in immature rat ovaries.

Intact immature female rats were treated with 1, 2, 3 or 4 subcutaneous injections of 2 mg diethylstilboestrol (DES)/rat at intervals of 24 h and then killed. Ovaries were collected, cleaned, enzymically digested and serially filtered through Teflon sieves to yield follicles of diameter less than 200 microns (small), 200-400 microns (medium) and greater than 400 microns (large). Follicular supernatant was collected and granulosa cells were extracted from these isolated follicles. There was a general increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation in all sizes of follicles after 1 or 2 DES injections, the increase in the medium and large follicles being significant after 2 doses. With 3 and 4 injections of DES, there was a sudden decrease in the rates of [3H]thymidine incorporation, particularly in the medium-sized follicles, which also had higher concentrations of follicular supernatant protein. Protein contents in small and large follicles did not change significantly. The follicular supernatant protein had a specific and dose-dependent inhibitory effect on [3H]thymidine incorporation when added to cultures of rapidly dividing granulosa cells. Addition of the same amounts of bovine serum albumin (BSA) to the cultures had no effect. Heat-denaturing did not abolish the inhibition by the protein. Removal of the protein from the cultures after the first 48 h resulted in a rebound increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation during the following 48 h, showing that the inhibitory effects were reversible. Though aromatase activity after 1 or 2 DES injections abruptly decreased after 3 and 4 injections, follicular supernatant protein had no effect on steroidogenesis in cultured granulosa cells. Taken together, these findings suggest that oestrogen can inhibit follicular development, depending on the duration of exposure. We propose that the inhibitory effects of DES on cell proliferation are mediated via the synthesis of a specific peptide factor which is produced in high amounts in the medium-sized follicles only, on prolonged exposure to the oestrogen. This factor may be autocrine or paracrine, serving as an in-built autoregulatory control mechanism for follicle development, particularly at pro-oestrus, when oestrogen concentrations are highest.

Animals↗