Objectives

Susceptibility to obesity in humans is driven by the intricate interplay of genetic, environmental and behavioural factors. Moreover, the mechanisms linking maternal obesity to infertility remain largely understudied. In this study, we investigated how variable susceptibility to obesity in mice affects ovarian steroidogenesis, with a particular focus on the leptin-mediated dysregulation of Nodal signalling pathway in theca cells (TC).

Methods

C56BL/6J (B6) and 129S1/SvlmJ (129) mice, models of maternal obesity (MO), were fed a chow diet (CD) and a high fat diet (HFD) for 16 weeks. To investigate the contrasting effects of leptin on ovarian steroidogenesis, B6 mice pharmacologically treated with leptin for 16 days on CD were used to model hyperleptinemia, while homozygous ob/ob (−/−) mice with genetic leptin deficiency, also on a CD, were used to examine the effects of obesity in the absence of leptin. Following the characterisation of the mouse phenotype, gonadal fat (GON), whole ovaries (WO), ovarian TC and granulosa cell (GC) fractions were collected for mRNA transcription and protein expression analysis. Finally, in vitro treated ovarian explants obtained from B6 mice were used to further elucidate the effects of Nodal on steroidogenesis.

Results

The significant gain in body weight (BW) and fat mass (FM) in HFD-fed B6 mice (p < 0.05), was associated with increased mRNA transcription of the adipose tissue expansion genes Polymerase I and transcript release factor (Cavin), Secreted frizzled-related protein 5 (Sfrp5) and Mesoderm specific transcript (Mest) in GON (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the HFD-fed B6 mice presented also impaired glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity (p < 0.05). In contrast, the HFD-fed 129 mice exhibited no changes in BW and FM, maintaining glucose and insulin metabolism. At the ovarian level, decreased protein expression of Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein (StAR) in WO obtained from HFD-fed B6 mice (p = 0.05), was followed by reduced transcription of key steroidogenic genes like Star and Cytochrome P450 17a1 (Cyp17a) in TC (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the transcription of Nodal and its receptors was downregulated (p < 0.05), whereas mRNA levels of Suppressor of cytokine signalling 3 (Socs3) and SMAD family member 7 (Smad7) were upregulated in TC obtained from HFD-fed B6 mice (p < 0.05). No changes were seen in the genes regulating steroidogenesis, Nodal signalling, or Socs3 and Smad7 activity in the ovaries of HFD-fed 129 mice. Importantly, the pharmacological treatment of lean mice with leptin, upregulated the ovarian transcription of Socs3 and Smad7, while downregulating Nodal and its receptors (p < 0.05). Finally, in vitro pharmacological inhibition of Nodal signalling pathway in ovarian explants isolated from CD-fed B6 mice decreased the transcription of Star and Cyp17a in TC (p < 0.05), whereas Nodal treatment of explants obtained from HFD-fed B6 mice restored the transcription of both genes (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Increased susceptibility to obesity in MO is associated with systemic hyperleptinemia and hypoestrogenism due to compromised ovarian steroidogenesis, largely driven by the inhibitory effects of leptin-Smad7 pathway on Nodal signalling activity in the TC compartment of ovarian follicles.