RESUMO
It is known that noradrenergic sympathetic nerve fibers connect the ovary and the spleen from the celiac ganglion. The modulation of the ovarian steroidogenesis in rats with polycystic ovary (PCO) by secretions of culture splenocytes from control (non PCO), PCO and PCO rats with superior ovarian nerve transection (PCO+SON-t) is investigated. Splenocytes from PCO rats increased progesterone (P) and decreasing estradiol (E) and androstenedione (A) release, a steroidogenic response different from that obtained with splenocytes of control rats. PCO also decreased the number of splenocyte beta-adrenergic receptors (betaR). SON transection reverted the effect of PCO on splenocytes betaR numbers and secretions of these splenocytes also reverted the stimulatory effect of PCO on P release, while norepinephrine (NE) treatment to PCO+SON-t splenocytes decreased their betaR number and their secretions restored the stimulation on progesterone release. Inversely, PCO+SON-t splenocyte secretions intensified the inhibition in estradiol with no effect on A. Treatment of PCO+SON-t splenocytes with NE or neuropeptide Y partially reverted the effects of PCO and SON-t The P and E-A response of PCO ovary might be differentially regulated by the splenocyte secretions through the neural connection involving ovary, SON, celiac ganglion and spleen and the neurotransmitter NE.