CYP17A1 mRNA levels in the theca cells and androstenedione levels in the spent media were also determined. Antibodies Rabbit polyclonal anti phospho Akt anti bodies and anti total Akt antibodies were purchased from Cell Signaling Technologies. Goat anti rab bit IgG coupled to horseradish peroxidase was purchased from Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc. Reagents Human LH was provided by the National Institutes of Health and Dr. A. F. Parlow. LY294002 was from Sigma Chemical Co, and wort mannin, H89, and U0126 were pur chased from Calbiochem Novabiochem Corp. Theca cell culture Bovine ovaries were collected less than 15 min after slaughter at a local abattoir. The ovaries were placed in an ice cold buffered salt solution and transferred to the labo ratory less than 90 min after collection.

The estrous cycle stage was determined morphologically, as described pre viously by Ireland et al, only those ovaries with a regressing corpus luteum were used for this study. Theca cells were isolated from the ovaries under sterile condi tions, as described previously. SH-4-54 supplier Briefly, small antral follicles with clear surfaces were cut into halves and theca interna removed in situ using fine forceps. Granulosa cells, together with part of the theca cell layer, were removed by scraping with a scalpel under a stereomicroscope. The resultant thin thecal layer was minced and subsequently treated with a Hanks HEPES buffer containing collagenase and DNase, 0. 4% BSA, and 0. 2% glucose. Cell dissociation was allowed to continue for 30 60 min at 37 C with continu ous stirring at 80 rpm and 0.

25% pancreatin in a Hanks HEPES buffer for 7 min. Dispersed inhibitor CORM-3 cells were washed three times. Cell viability, as deter mined using the trypan blue dye exclusion test, was 90 93%. Purity of the theca cell preparation used in this study was substantiated by the secretion of estradiol, prepared theca cells did not produce estradiol in the presence or absence of forskolin, whereas granulosa cells obtained from the same follicle secret significant. Isolated theca cells were plated onto serum coated dishes with serum free medium for 36 h. Then they were stimu lated with LH for various durations. Preliminary data indicated that 100 ng ml of LH is the minimal effective concentration for inducing a significant increase in androgen production and CYP17A1 expres sion in our culture system. Western blot analysis Western blot analysis was conducted as described previ ously. Briefly, primary cultures at the end of incuba tion with the appropriate stimulant or no stimulation as indicated in each experiment were rinsed with ice cold PBS and once with buffer A and were subsequently harvested in buffer A plus proteinase inhibitors. Cell lysates were centrifuged at 20,000 �� g for 20 min.