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Yuan C, Cao M, Chen L, Zhao Y, Chen X, Shen C, Li C, Zhou X. Follicular fluid exosomes inhibit BDNF expression and promote the secretion of chemokines in granulosa cells by delivering miR-10b-5p. Theriogenology 2023; 199:86-94. [PMID: 36709652 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Ovulation is an inflammatory response. Before ovulation, follicle cells release chemokines to recruit immune cells and promote ovulation. The objective of this study was to investigate whether follicular fluid exosomes promote chemokine secretion by granulosa cells (GCs). Porcine follicular fluid exosomes and follicular GCs were isolated in vitro. GCs were treated with follicular fluid exosomes in vitro and the differential gene expression profiles of the exosome-treated and control groups were obtained by transcriptome sequencing. The results showed that, when compared to the controls, the expression of the chemokines CCL2 and CXCL8 was significantly increased, whereas the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was significantly decreased. The miRNA expression profiles in follicular fluid exosomes were obtained by microRNA sequencing. The results showed that exosomes carried many microRNAs, and that miR-10b-5p carried by exosomes could promote the secretion of CCL2 and CXCL8 by targeting BDNF. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that exosomes promote the secretion of CCL2 and CXCL8 by granulosa cells through the miR-10b-5p/BDNF axis to promote ovulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenfeng Yuan
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China.
| | - Maosheng Cao
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China.
| | - Lu Chen
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China.
| | - Yun Zhao
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China.
| | - Xue Chen
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China.
| | - Caomeihui Shen
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China.
| | - Chunjin Li
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China.
| | - Xu Zhou
- College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130062, China.
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Moderate Aerobic Exercise Regulates Follicular Dysfunction by Initiating Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)-Mediated Anti-Apoptotic Signaling Pathways in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11195584. [PMID: 36233452 PMCID: PMC9571561 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11195584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder among women. Moderate aerobic exercise intervention is considered an initial treatment strategy for managing PCOS. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an important molecular mediator and a beneficial response to exercise. We aimed to investigate the expression pattern and underlying molecular mechanisms of this neurotrophic factor during follicle development in ovarian tissues. The PCOS model was established by subcutaneous injection of 60 mg/kg dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) into the neck of Sprague Dawley rats for 35 consecutive days. PCOS rats then received aerobic exercise for 8 weeks. Body/ovarian weight and peripheral serum hormone levels were observed. Immunohistochemistry combined with Western blot analysis and fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction were used to detect the changes in BDNF-TrkB/p75NTR pathway, apoptosis, and inflammatory factors. We show that moderate aerobic exercise not only reverses the PCOS phenotype but also activates the BDNF-TrkB pathway and initiates downstream targets. p-TrkB upregulates and phosphorylates phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (Akt) to inhibit apoptosis. In addition, aerobic exercise therapy reduces the high expression of p75NTR in the ovarian tissue of PCOS rats and initiates the anti-apoptotic effect from the downstream pathway of NF-κB/JNK. Our in vitro results state that treatment with BDNF ameliorated dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-induced granulosa cells (GCs) apoptosis by provoking p-TrkB activation and upregulating the PI3K/AKT pathway. The present study suggests that moderate aerobic exercise regulates follicular dysfunction in PCOS-like rats. One possible mechanism is to initiate the BDNF-mediated anti-apoptotic signaling pathway.
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Strączyńska P, Papis K, Morawiec E, Czerwiński M, Gajewski Z, Olejek A, Bednarska-Czerwińska A. Signaling mechanisms and their regulation during in vivo or in vitro maturation of mammalian oocytes. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2022; 20:37. [PMID: 35209923 PMCID: PMC8867761 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-022-00906-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is currently one of the most effective methods of infertility treatment. An alternative to commonly used ovarian hyperstimulation can become extracorporeal maturation of oocytes (in vitro maturation; IVM). Fertilization and normal development of the embryo depends on the cytoplasmic, nuclear and genomic maturity of the oocyte. The microenvironment of the ovarian follicle and maternal signals, which mediate bidirectional communication between granulosa, cumulus and oocyte cells, influence the growth, maturation and acquisition of oocyte development capability. During oogenesis in mammals, the meiosis is inhibited in the oocyte at the prophase I of the meiotic division due to the high cAMP level. This level is maintained by the activity of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP, NPPC) produced by granulosa cells. The CNP binds to the NPR2 receptor in cumulus cells and is responsible for the production of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). The cGMP penetrating into the oocyte through gap junctions inhibits phosphodiesterase 3A (PDE3A), preventing cAMP hydrolysis responsible for low MPF activity. The LH surge during the reproductive cycle reduces the activity of the CNP/NPR2 complex, which results in a decrease in cGMP levels in cumulus cells and consequently in the oocyte. Reduced cGMP concentration unblocks the hydrolytic activity of PDE3A, which decreases cAMP level inside the oocyte. This leads to the activation of MPF and resumption of meiosis. The latest IVM methods called SPOM, NFSOM or CAPA IVM consist of two steps: prematuration and maturation itself. Taking into account the role of cAMP in inhibiting and then unblocking the maturation of oocytes, they have led to a significant progress in terms of the percentage of mature oocytes in vitro and the proportion of properly developed embryos in both animals and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrycja Strączyńska
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Oncological Gynecology in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
- Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
- Gyncentrum Fertility Clinic, Katowice, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Papis
- Center for Translational Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.
- nOvum Fertility Clinic, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Emilia Morawiec
- Gyncentrum Fertility Clinic, Katowice, Poland
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine in Zabrze, University of Technology in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | | | - Zdzisław Gajewski
- Center for Translational Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anita Olejek
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Oncological Gynecology in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
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Ovarian BDNF promotes survival, migration, and attachment of tumor precursors originated from p53 mutant fallopian tube epithelial cells. Oncogenesis 2020; 9:55. [PMID: 32471985 PMCID: PMC7260207 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-020-0243-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Revised: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) is the most lethal gynecological malignancy. New evidence supports a hypothesis that HGSOC can originate from fallopian tube epithelium (FTE). It is unclear how genetic alterations and pathophysiological processes drive the progression of FTE tumor precursors into widespread HGSOCs. In this study, we uncovered that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the follicular fluid stimulates the tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB)-expressing FTE cells to promote their survival, migration, and attachment. Using in vitro and in vivo models, we further identified that the acquisition of common TP53 gain-of-function (GOF) mutations in FTE cells led to enhanced BDNF/TrkB signaling compared to that of FTE cells with TP53 loss-of-function (LOF) mutations. Different mutant p53 proteins can either increase TrkB transcription or enhance TrkB endocytic recycling. Our findings have demonstrated possible interplays between genetic alterations in FTE tumor precursors (i.e., p53 GOF mutations) and pathophysiological processes (i.e., the release of follicular fluid upon ovulation) during the initiation of HGSOC from the fallopian tube. Our data revealed molecular events underlying the link between HGSOC tumorigenesis and ovulation, a physiological process that has been associated with risk factors of HGSOC.
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Chen S, Wang F, Liu Z, Zhao Y, Jiang Y, Chen L, Li C, Zhou X. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor promotes proliferation and progesterone synthesis in bovine granulosa cells. J Cell Physiol 2018; 234:8776-8787. [PMID: 30456817 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.27536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2018] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is involved in regulating the growth of ovarian follicles, maturation of the oocyte, and development of the early embryo through its receptor, tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB). However, it is still unclear as to how BDNF influences proliferation and steroidogenesis of bovine granulosa cells (GCs). In this paper, we confirmed that BDNF and TrkB were expressed in bovine GCs, and that proliferation and steroidogenesis by bovine GCs were reduced by knockdown of BDNF or inhibition of TrkB. With respect to GC proliferation, BDNF enhanced cellular viability and the percentage of cells in the S phase. BDNF also activated both protein kinase B (PKB, also known as AKT) and the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2)-signaling pathway. Through the AKT-signaling pathway, BDNF increased the expression of proliferation-related genes, including cyclin A1 (CCNA1), cyclin E2 (CCNE2), cyclin D1 (CCND1), and cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1). However, through the ERK1/2 signaling pathway, BDNF only increased the expression of CCNA1 and CCNE2. Regarding steroidogenesis by bovine GCs, BDNF promoted progesterone (P 4 ) synthesis, but had no effect on estradiol; it also activated the AKT-signaling pathway and increased the expression of steroidogenesis-related genes, including steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR) and hydroxy-δ-5-steroid dehydrogenase, 3β- and steroid δ-isomerase 1 (HSD3B1). In summary, our data are the first to show that BDNF promotes the proliferation of bovine GCs through TrkB-AKT and ERK1/2 signaling pathways and increases P4 synthesis by bovine GCs through the TrkB-AKT signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuxiong Chen
- Laboratory for Regulation of Reproduction, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Fengge Wang
- Laboratory for Regulation of Reproduction, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zhuo Liu
- Laboratory for Regulation of Reproduction, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yun Zhao
- Laboratory for Regulation of Reproduction, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yanwen Jiang
- Laboratory for Regulation of Reproduction, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Lu Chen
- Laboratory for Regulation of Reproduction, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Chunjin Li
- Laboratory for Regulation of Reproduction, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xu Zhou
- Laboratory for Regulation of Reproduction, College of Animal Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Tamadon A, Hu W, Cui P, Ma T, Tong X, Zhang F, Li X, Shao LR, Feng Y. How to choose the suitable animal model of polycystic ovary syndrome? TRADITIONAL MEDICINE AND MODERN MEDICINE 2018. [DOI: 10.1142/s2575900018300047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a gynecological metabolic and endocrine disorder with uncertain etiology. To understand the etiology of PCOS or the evaluation of various therapeutic agents, different animal models have been introduced. Considering this fact that is difficult to develop an animal model that mimics all aspects of this syndrome, but, similarity of biological, anatomical, and/or biochemical features of animal model to the human PCOS phenotypes can increase its application. This review paper evaluates the recently researched animal models and introduced the best models for different research purposes in PCOS studies. During January 2013 to January 2017, 162 studies were identified which applied various kinds of animal models of PCOS including rodent, primate, ruminant and fish. Between these models, prenatal and pre-pubertal androgen rat models and then prenatal androgen mouse model have been studied in detail than others. The comparison of main features of these models with women PCOS demonstrates higher similarity of these three models to human conditions. Thereafter, letrozole models can be recommended for the investigation of various aspects of PCOS. Interestingly, similarity of PCOS features of post-pubertal insulin and human chorionic gonadotropin rat models with women PCOS were considerable which can make it as a good choice for future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amin Tamadon
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
| | - Wei Hu
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
| | - Peng Cui
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
| | - Tong Ma
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoyu Tong
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
| | - Feifei Zhang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, P. R. China
| | - Xin Li
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, P. R. China
| | - Linus R. Shao
- Department of Physiology/Endocrinology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg 40530, Sweden
| | - Yi Feng
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science, Brain Science Collaborative Innovation Center, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Fudan Institutes of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, P. R. China
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Wang DH, Zhou HX, Liu SJ, Zhou CJ, Kong XW, Han Z, Liang CG. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor supplementation promotes bovine in vitro oocyte maturation and early embryo development. Theriogenology 2018; 113:92-101. [PMID: 29477014 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Revised: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Paracrine factors such as glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), which was originally derived from the supernatants of a rat glioma cell line, play pivotal roles in oocyte maturation and early embryo development in mammals, such as mice, rats, pigs, sheep, and even humans. However, whether GDNF facilitates in vitro oocyte maturation or early embryo development in bovines is not yet known. We show for the first time that GDNF and its receptor, GDNF family receptor alpha-1 (GFRA1), are presented in ovarian follicles at different stages as well as during oocyte maturation and early embryo development. Immunostaining results revealed the subcellular localizations of GDNF and GFRA1 in oocytes throughout follicle development, first in germinal vesicles and during blastocyst embryo stages. The ability of exogenously applied GDNF to promote oocyte maturation and early embryo development was evaluated in culture, where we found that an optimal concentration of 50 ng/mL promotes the maturation of cumulus-oocyte complexes and the nuclei of denuded oocytes as well as the development of embryos after IVF. To further investigate the potential mechanism by which GDNF promotes oocyte maturation, bovine oocytes were treated with morpholinos targeting Gfra1. The suppression of GFRA1 presence blocked endogenous and exogenous GDNF functions, indicating that the effects of GDNF that are essential and beneficial for bovine oocyte maturation and early embryo development occur through this receptor. Furthermore, we show that supplementation with GDNF improves the efficiency of bovine IVF embryo production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Hui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation & Breeding of Grassland Livestock, The Research Center for Laboratory Animal Science, College of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong-Xia Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation & Breeding of Grassland Livestock, The Research Center for Laboratory Animal Science, College of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, People's Republic of China
| | - Shu-Jun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation & Breeding of Grassland Livestock, The Research Center for Laboratory Animal Science, College of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng-Jie Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation & Breeding of Grassland Livestock, The Research Center for Laboratory Animal Science, College of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiang-Wei Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation & Breeding of Grassland Livestock, The Research Center for Laboratory Animal Science, College of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhe Han
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation & Breeding of Grassland Livestock, The Research Center for Laboratory Animal Science, College of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng-Guang Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation & Breeding of Grassland Livestock, The Research Center for Laboratory Animal Science, College of Life Science, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, People's Republic of China.
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Gilchrist RB, Luciano AM, Richani D, Zeng HT, Wang X, Vos MD, Sugimura S, Smitz J, Richard FJ, Thompson JG. Oocyte maturation and quality: role of cyclic nucleotides. Reproduction 2016; 152:R143-57. [PMID: 27422885 DOI: 10.1530/rep-15-0606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2015] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The cyclic nucleotides, cAMP and cGMP, are the key molecules controlling mammalian oocyte meiosis. Their roles in oocyte biology have been at the forefront of oocyte research for decades, and many of the long-standing controversies in relation to the regulation of oocyte meiotic maturation are now resolved. It is now clear that the follicle prevents meiotic resumption through the actions of natriuretic peptides and cGMP - inhibiting the hydrolysis of intra-oocyte cAMP - and that the pre-ovulatory gonadotrophin surge reverses these processes. The gonadotrophin surge also leads to a transient spike in cAMP in the somatic compartment of the follicle. Research over the past two decades has conclusively demonstrated that this surge in cAMP is important for the subsequent developmental capacity of the oocyte. This is important, as oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) systems practised clinically do not recapitulate this cAMP surge in vitro, possibly accounting for the lower efficiency of IVM compared with clinical IVF. This review particularly focuses on this latter aspect - the role of cAMP/cGMP in the regulation of oocyte quality. We conclude that clinical practice of IVM should reflect this new understanding of the role of cyclic nucleotides, thereby creating a new generation of ART and fertility treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- R B Gilchrist
- Discipline of Obstetrics and GynaecologySchool of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - A M Luciano
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology LaboratoryDepartment of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
| | - D Richani
- Discipline of Obstetrics and GynaecologySchool of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - H T Zeng
- Center for Reproductive MedicineSixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - X Wang
- Discipline of Obstetrics and GynaecologySchool of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Department of Obstetrics and GynaecologySt George Public Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - M De Vos
- Follicle Biology LaboratoryUniversity Hospital UZBrussel, Medical School, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - S Sugimura
- Institute of AgricultureDepartment of Biological Production, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - J Smitz
- Follicle Biology LaboratoryUniversity Hospital UZBrussel, Medical School, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - F J Richard
- Centre de Recherche en Biologie de la ReproductionDépartement des Sciences Animales, Faculté des sciences de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - J G Thompson
- School of MedicineRobinson Research Institute and ARC Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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