1. Noga Chlamtac2, Zev Rosenwaks3, Leonid Poretsky1, Donna Seto-Young1
Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) is Expressed in Human Ovarian Cells, likely Mediating the Effects of Vitamin D on Steroidogenesis
Grishma Parikh1, Takako Araki1, Michael Goldman1,
Noga Chlamtac2, Zev Rosenwaks3,
Leonid Poretsky1, Donna Seto-Young1
1Division of Endocrinology & Friedman Diabetes Institute, Department of Medicine, Beth -- Israel Medical Center & Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10003
2Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016
3Center for Reproductive Medicine & Infertility, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY 10021

2. Introduction
1, 25-(OH)2D3 is active metabolite of vitamin D. Its primary role is to regulate calcium and phosphorus homeostasis and bone metabolism
Recently, many other actions of vitamin D have been identified. These include:
role in muscle physiology
immuno-modulator
anti-proliferative compound in a wide variety of cells including ovarian cancer cell lines
Holick MF 2007 N Engl J Med 357: , Ahonen MH et al 2000 Int J Cancer 86:40-6

3. Vitamin D metabolism

4. Introduction ( Cont.)
Effects of vitamin D are mediated through vitamin D receptor (VDR) - a member of nuclear receptor superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors
VDR is expressed widely in human tissues including colon, muscle, brain, ovary, heart, lymphocytes, mono-nuclear cells
VDR is expressed in animal ovarian cells and appears to be necessary for ovarian function in animals
Vitamin D deficiency in female rats is associated with reduced fertility
Agic A 2007 Reproductive Sciences 14: , Holick MF 2007 N Engl J Med 357: Yoshizawa T Nat Genet :391, Johnson JA Histochem Cell Biol :7-15,

5. Introduction (Cont.)
VDR-null mutant mice have gonadal insufficiency. These mice also exhibit impaired folliculogenesis and uterine hypoplasia in females; reduced sperm motility and sperm count are observed in males
Calcitriol stimulates estradiol and progesterone production in trophoblast cells cultured from human placenta
Abnormalities of Vitamin D and calcium homeostasis as possible pathologic mechanism of PCOS
Dukoh S Endocrinology :200-6, Kinuta K 1999 Endocrinology 141: , Barrera D 2007 Journal of Steroid Biochemistry & Molecular Biology 103:529–532, Thys-Jacobs S Steroids :430–435

6. Introduction (Cont.)
VDR-null mutant mice have gonadal insufficiency. These mice also exhibit impaired folliculogenesis and uterine hypoplasia in females; reduced sperm motility and sperm count are observed in males
Calcitriol stimulates estradiol and progesterone production in trophoblast cells cultured from human placenta
Abnormalities of Vitamin D and calcium homeostasis as possible pathologic mechanism of PCOS
Role of vitamin D, if any, in human ovarian function and, in particular, in steroid hormone synthesis is not known
Dukoh S Endocrinology :200-6, Kinuta K 1999 Endocrinology 141: , Barrera D 2007 Journal of Steroid Biochemistry & Molecular Biology 103:529–532, Thys-Jacobs S Steroids :430–435

7. Cell Cultures Human granulosa cells obtained
Ovum retrieval during IVF
Human granulosa cells obtained
during in vitro fertilization
Granulosa Cells Blood Cells Oocytes
Removal of oocytes for IVF
Remaining separated by Percoll gradient A B C D
discard
Blood Cells
Granulosa Cells
0.5x105 cells/ well in M199 tissue culture medium
supplemented with 10% FBS.
Human ovarian tissue obtained
during oophorectomy
Tissue fragments
Cut into 0.5x0.5 cm
Mixed ovarian cell culture
(granulosa, theca and stromal) A B C D
Incubated at 37°C, 5% CO2, 90% humidity

8. Vitamin D Receptor mRNA expression in human ovarian cells by RT-PCR
Granulosa cell culture
Mixed ovarian cell culture
341 bp
258 bp
203 bp
203 bp of VDR mRNA was detected in both human mixed ovarian cell culture and purified granulosa cell culture confirming the presence of VDR in human ovary

9. Effect of 1,25-(OH)2 Vitamin D3 on steroid hormone production in mixed ovarian cell cultures
1, 25-(OH)2D3 stimulated progesterone production in mixed ovarian cell culture by 15% (p<0.001) compared to control and had no effect on testosterone production

10. Effect of 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D3 on steroid hormone production in purified granulosa cells
1, 25-(OH)2D3 stimulated estradiol and estrone production in granulosa cell culture by 6% (p<0.05) and 21% (p<0.002) respectively compared to control

11. Synergistic effect of 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D3 with insulin on estradiol production in purified granulosa cell cultures
Insulin alone has no significant effect on estradiol production in granulosa cell culture but addition of 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D3 augments insulin induced estradiol production by up to 90% (p<0.006)

12. Conclusions
This report confirms presence of VDR in human ovarian cells and suggests that Vitamin D may have a physiological role in the human ovary
1, 25-(OH)2D3 stimulated steroid hormone production including progesterone, estradiol and estrone. Its effect on testosterone production was not significant. It may play a role in regulation of human ovarian steroidogenesis
Addition of 1, 25-(OH)2D3 enhances insulin-induced estradiol production, possible mechanism being increased insulin sensitivity in ovarian tissue

13. Significance
These findings suggest role of vitamin D in ovarian regulation and importance of detecting and correcting Vitamin D deficiency, especially in reproductive age women

14. Acknowledgements We are thankful for the support from:
Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman Foundation
Chinese American Medical Association & Chinese American Independent Practice Association