Inactivation of glucocorticoids by 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzymes increases during the meiotic maturation of porcine oocytes.

Recent reports have shown that glucocorticoids can modulate oocyte maturation in both teleost fish and mammals. Within potential target cells, the actions of physiological glucocorticoids are modulated by 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD11B) isoenzymes that catalyse the interconversion of cortisol and cortisone. Hence, the objective of this study was to establish whether HSD11B enzymes mediate cortisol-cortisone metabolism in porcine oocytes and, if so, whether the rate of glucocorticoid metabolism changes during oocyte maturation.

Implication of cortisol and 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzymes in the development of porcine (Sus scrofa domestica) ovarian follicles and cysts.

This study investigated cortisol inactivation by 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11beta HSD) enzymes in porcine granulosa cells from antral follicles at different developmental stages and in ovarian cysts. In granulosa cells, cortisol oxidation increased threefold with antral follicle diameter (P < 0.001).