Biomaterial Database

Ovarian follicular fluid beta-endorphin levels in normal and polycystic ovaries. 1987

F A Aleem, and G H Eltabbakh, and R A Omar, and A L Southren

The possibility of local ovarian production of beta-endorphin prompted us to measure beta-endorphin levels in 19 follicular fluid samples obtained from normal ovaries and compare them with beta-endorphin plasma levels in 19 women with normal ovulation. beta-Endorphin was extracted through Sepharose-treated chromatography columns and assayed with a specific anti-beta-endorphin antibody. Follicular fluid beta-endorphin levels (21.3 +/- 10.8 pg/ml) were significantly higher (p less than 0.01) than the plasma levels (15.5 +/- 3.35 pg/ml). There was no significant correlation between plasma and follicular fluid beta-endorphin concentrations. Follicles greater than 1 cm in size contained more beta-endorphin than follicles less than 1 cm in size (22.7 +/- 3.5 versus 18.7 +/- 4.4 pg/ml, p less than 0.05). Five follicular fluid samples were obtained from polycystic ovaries. The mean beta-endorphin content (45.1 +/- 7.7 pg/ml) in these follicles was significantly higher than that of normal ovaries (p = 0.001). It is concluded that the ovaries produce beta-endorphin and that polycystic ovaries produce more beta-endorphin than normal ovaries.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D010053	Ovary	The reproductive organ (GONADS) in female animals. In vertebrates, the ovary contains two functional parts: the OVARIAN FOLLICLE for the production of female germ cells (OOGENESIS); and the endocrine cells (GRANULOSA CELLS; THECA CELLS; and LUTEAL CELLS) for the production of ESTROGENS and PROGESTERONE.	Ovaries
D011085	Polycystic Ovary Syndrome	A complex disorder characterized by infertility, HIRSUTISM; OBESITY; and various menstrual disturbances such as OLIGOMENORRHEA; AMENORRHEA; ANOVULATION. Polycystic ovary syndrome is usually associated with bilateral enlarged ovaries studded with atretic follicles, not with cysts. The term, polycystic ovary, is misleading.	Stein-Leventhal Syndrome,Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome,Polycystic Ovary Syndrome 1,Sclerocystic Ovarian Degeneration,Sclerocystic Ovaries,Sclerocystic Ovary Syndrome,Ovarian Degeneration, Sclerocystic,Ovarian Syndrome, Polycystic,Ovary Syndrome, Polycystic,Ovary, Sclerocystic,Sclerocystic Ovary,Stein Leventhal Syndrome,Syndrome, Polycystic Ovary,Syndrome, Stein-Leventhal
D004723	Endorphins	One of the three major groups of endogenous opioid peptides. They are large peptides derived from the PRO-OPIOMELANOCORTIN precursor. The known members of this group are alpha-, beta-, and gamma-endorphin. The term endorphin is also sometimes used to refer to all opioid peptides, but the narrower sense is used here; OPIOID PEPTIDES is used for the broader group.	Endorphin
D005260	Female		Females
D006080	Ovarian Follicle	An OOCYTE-containing structure in the cortex of the OVARY. The oocyte is enclosed by a layer of GRANULOSA CELLS providing a nourishing microenvironment (FOLLICULAR FLUID). The number and size of follicles vary depending on the age and reproductive state of the female. The growing follicles are divided into five stages: primary, secondary, tertiary, Graafian, and atretic. Follicular growth and steroidogenesis depend on the presence of GONADOTROPINS.	Graafian Follicle,Atretic Follicle,Ovarian Follicles,Atretic Follicles,Follicle, Atretic,Follicle, Graafian,Follicle, Ovarian,Follicles, Atretic,Follicles, Graafian,Follicles, Ovarian,Graafian Follicles
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001615	beta-Endorphin	A 31-amino acid peptide that is the C-terminal fragment of BETA-LIPOTROPIN. It acts on OPIOID RECEPTORS and is an analgesic. Its first four amino acids at the N-terminal are identical to the tetrapeptide sequence of METHIONINE ENKEPHALIN and LEUCINE ENKEPHALIN.	Endorphin, beta,beta-Endorphin (1-31),beta Endorphin