MOORE, Brandon C*; COOK, Robert W; CHUNG, Koo Whang; ALVERS, Ashley L; WOODRUFF, Teresa K; GUILLETTE, Louis J; University of Florida, Gainesville; Northwestern University, Evanston; University of Florida, Gainesville; University of Florida, Gainesville; Northwestern University, Evanston; University of Florida, Gainesville: Ovarian Response to Gonadotropin in Alligator Neonates

Ovarian folliculogenesis is a fundamental process of ovarian development modulated by many factors including estrogens, gonadotropins, and transforming growth factor ligands. These molecular mechanisms regulating primordial follicle formation are poorly understood across vertebrates, especially in non-mammalian species. The American alligator first forms follicles during the months following hatching. We have investigated the ovarian endocrine milieu of the neonatal, non-follicular alligator ovary. We have observed that the neonatal, non-follicular ovary responds to exogenous gonadotropin, with significant induction of gene expression for follicle stimulating hormone receptor, estrogen receptors, follistatin, and inhibin/activin subunits. Elevated gene expression occurred concomitantly with an increase in plasma estradiol and inhibin alpha concentrations. We will present further results examining the effects of varying treatment dosages and durations on these molecular and endocrine responses. Additionally, we have investigated differences in these responses between alligators hatched from clutches collected at a highly polluted Florida lake verses those collected at a lake in a relatively uncontaminated wildlife reserve. These results will be presented in light of the ability of early life exposures to detrimentally influence ovarian function and development.