Follistatin is known to be an important regulator of FSH secretion. FS gene expression has been found to be under the regulation of GnRH, gonadal steroids and gonadal peptides. It is unknown whether these hormones alter FS gene expression by alterations in gene transcription. To measure alteration in gene transcription, we have developed an assay quantifying primary transcript production by performing RT-PCR on pituitary RNA.
The first aim of this proposal will utilize this assay to quantify changes in FS gene transcription observed through the rat estrous cycle.
The second aim of this proposal is to study the regulation of FS gene transcription by GnRH, gonadal steroids and gonadal peptides. We hope that the results of the experiments proposed here will further our understanding of the selective regulation of FSH and reproductive physiology. This information, in turn, may lead to insights into the biology of human fertility.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
1F32HD042895-01
Application #
6550637
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F06 (20))
Program Officer
De Paolo, Louis V
Project Start
2002-08-25
Project End
Budget Start
2002-08-25
Budget End
2003-08-24
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$51,316
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Virginia
Department
Other Basic Sciences
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
001910777
City
Charlottesville
State
VA
Country
United States
Zip Code
22904
McCartney, Christopher R; Blank, Susan K; Prendergast, Kathleen A et al. (2007) Obesity and sex steroid changes across puberty: evidence for marked hyperandrogenemia in pre- and early pubertal obese girls. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 92:430-6
Prendergast, Kathleen A; Burger, Laura L; Aylor, Kevin W et al. (2004) Pituitary follistatin gene expression in female rats: evidence that inhibin regulates transcription. Biol Reprod 70:364-70