Ovarian granulosa and theca interstitial cells: a morphological and physiological analysis in guanethidine denervated rats at pre-puberty.

Since ovary denervation causes delayed puberty, we investigated the relative importance of ovary innervation on the morphology and physiology of theca interstitial cells (TIC) and granulosa cells (GC) in female rats at pre-puberty. Elimination of the sympathetic innervation was performed by long term post natal treatment with guanethidine (GD), an adrenergic blocking agent. The sympathectomized rats exhibited: reductions in follicular volume (40%), granulosa cells area (43%) and theca interstitial cell volume (50%). Ovarian concentrations of pregnenolone (P5) and progesterone (P4) were decreased whereas no differences were observed in androstenedione (A) and estradiol (E2). The intensity of the immunocytochemical reaction for 3 beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta-HSD) detected only in interstitial cells, did not show any difference. These in vivo results include the TIC in the bulk of ovarian structures affected by GD denervation at pre-puberty as it was already observed for GC. The reduced area/volume occupied by these cells in the GD treated ovary is associated to a blockade of the initial steps of the steroidogenic pathway, probably at the level of the cholesterol side chain cleavage enzyme (P450 s.c.c.), previously to P5 synthesis, since P5 is reduced. Similar intra ovarian concentrations of androgens are discussed in terms of possible pineal deafferentation promoted by GD at high doses.