The epithelial Na⁺ channel (ENaC) in ovarian granulosa cells modulates Ca²⁺ mobilization and gonadotrophin signaling for estrogen homeostasis and female fertility.

ABSTRACT: Ovarian granulosa cells are essential to gonadotrophin-regulated estrogen production, female cycle maintenance and fertility. The epithelial Na⁺ channel (ENaC) is associated with female fertility; however, whether and how it plays a role in ovarian cell function(s) remained unexplored. Here, we report patch-clamp and Na⁺ imaging detection of ENaC expression and channel activity in both human and mouse ovarian granulosa cells, which are promoted by pituitary gonadotrophins, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) or luteinizing hormone (LH). Cre-recombinase- and CRISPR-Cas9-based granulosa-specific knockout of ENaC α subunit (Scnn1a) in mice resulted in failed estrogen elevation at early estrus, reduced number of corpus luteum, abnormally extended estrus phase, reduced litt

SUBMITTER: Ma X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11323461 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature