Roles of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 activation and cleavage in induction of multi-oocyte ovarian follicles in the mouse by 3-nitropropionic acid

Ferritin heavy chain participated in ameliorating 3-nitropropionic acid-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis of goose follicular granulosa cells

Oxidative stress is the major culprits responsible for ovarian dysfunction by damaging granulosa cells (GCs). Ferritin heavy chain (FHC) may participate in the regulation of ovarian function by mediating GCs apoptosis. However, the specific regulatory function of FHC in follicular GCs remains unclear. Here, 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NPA) was utilized to establish an oxidative stress model of follicular GCs of Sichuan white geese. To explore the regulatory effects of FHC on oxidative stress and apoptosis of primary GCs in geese by interfering or overexpressing FHC gene. After transfection of siRNA-FHC to GCs for 60 h, the expressions of FHC gene and protein decreased significantly (P < 0.05). After FHC overexpression for 72 h, the expressions of FHC mRNA and protein upregulated considerably (P < 0.05). The activity of GCs was impaired after interfering with FHC and 3-NPA coincubated (P < 0.05). When overexpression of FHC combined with 3-NPA treatment, the activity of GCs was remarkably enhanced (P < 0.05). After interference FHC and 3-NPA treatment, NF-κB and NRF2 gene expression decreased (P < 0.05), the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level increased greatly (P < 0.05), BCL-2 expression reduced, BAX/BCL-2 ratio intensified (P < 0.05), the mitochondrial membrane potential decreased notably (P < 0.05), and the apoptosis rate of GCs aggravated (P < 0.05). While overexpression of FHC combined with 3-NPA treatment could promote BCL-2 protein expression and reduce BAX/BCL-2 ratio, indicating that FHC regulated the mitochondrial membrane potential and apoptosis of GCs by mediating the expression of BCL-2. Taken together, our research manifested that FHC alleviated the inhibitory effect of 3-NPA on the activity of GCs. FHC knockdown could suppress the expression of NRF2 and NF-κB genes, reduce BCL-2 expression and augment BAX/BCL-2 ratio, contributing to the accumulation of ROS and jeopardizing mitochondrial membrane potential, as well as exacerbating GCs apoptosis.

Expression Regulation and Physiological Role of Transcription Factor FOXO3a During Ovarian Follicular Development

In mammals, developing ovarian follicles transform from primordial follicles to primary follicles, secondary follicles, and mature follicles, accompanied by changes in follicular secretory functions. FoxO3a is a member of the forkhead transcription factor family (FoxO), which plays an important role in the cell cycle, DNA damage repair, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and energy metabolism. Recent studies have shown that FOXO3a is involved in the physiological regulation of follicular development and pathological progression of related ovarian diseases, which will provide useful concepts and strategies for retarding ovarian aging, prolonging the ovarian life span, and treating ovarian diseases. Therefore, the regulation of FOXO3a expression, as well as the physiological contribution during ovarian follicular development are detailed in this paper, presenting an important reference for the further study of ovarian biology.

PDGFRα/β-PI3K-Akt pathway response to the interplay of mitochondrial dysfunction and DNA damage in Aroclor 1254-exposed porcine granulosa cells

Metabolic dysfunction and genomic instability are known to affect female fertility. Aroclor 1254 (A1254) is an endocrine disruptor that affects mitochondrial function following ingestion, inhalation, or dermal exposure. Numerous studies to date have addressed associations between A1254 toxicity and chronic neurological disorders, while A1254 exposure is little known to have a toxic effect on the female reproductive system. Furthermore, interactive mechanisms between metabolic dysfunction and the repair of DNA damage deserve further investigation. In this paper, an in vitro porcine primary granulosa cell (GC) culture model was used to investigate the mechanisms of exposure and effects of the exogenous chemical carcinogen A1254 on reproductive toxicology. High-throughput RNA sequencing obtained 2329 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) to be analyzed using COG classification, GO, and KEGG. When combined with immunofluorescence, Western blot analysis, and real-time RT-PCR analysis, this data showed that the mitochondrial-ROS-driven feed-forward loop increased phospho-PDGFRα/β, which stimulates apoptosis by suppressing the PI3K-Akt pathway. We also noticed that inhibition of the Akt-PDP1-PDK1 axis attenuated mitochondrial function. In contrast, following iPath analysis, partial metabolic pathways were enhanced. Importantly, we found that A1254 activated a DNA damage response, the major regulators of which belong to the PI3K-related protein kinases (PIKKs) and oncogenes, which led to the "Warburg effect". It is not easy to restore the damage that A1254 causes to metabolism through dysregulation and the Warburg effect, owing to the fact that oncogenes can regulate cytoplasmic metabolism. Therefore, we suspect that the PDGFR-PI3K-Akt pathway may be a latent interaction between mitochondrial dysfunction and the response of DNA damage.

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy Using Human Umbilical Cord in a Rat Model of Autoimmune-Induced Premature Ovarian Failure

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is one of the principal causes of female infertility, and although its causes are complex and diverse, autoimmune deficiency may be involved. Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs) can be used for tissue regeneration and repair. Therefore, the present study was designed to determine the role of UCMSCs in immune factor-induced POF in rats. In this study, different concentrations of UCMSCs were injected into induced POF rats. Ovarian functions were examined by evaluating the estrus cycle, follicular morphology, hormonal secretion, and the proliferation and apoptosis of granulosa cells. Our results showed that the estrus cycle of rats returned to normal and follicular development was significantly improved after transplantation of UCMSCs. In addition, serum concentrations of 17-estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4), and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) increased significantly with treatment. Transplantation of UCMSCs also reduced the apoptosis of granulosa cells and promoted the proliferation of granulosa cells. All of these improvements were dose dependent. Furthermore, the results of related gene expression showed that transplanted human UCMSCs upregulated the expression of Bcl-2, AMH, and FSHR in the ovary of POF rats and downregulated the expression of caspase-3. These results further validated the potential mechanisms of promoting the release of cell growth factors and enhancing tissue regeneration and provide a theoretical basis for the clinical application of stem cells in the treatment of premature ovarian failure.

Resveratrol Protects against Restraint Stress Effects on Stomach and Spleen in Adult Male Mice

The objectives were to investigate whether restraint stress (which is known as a mixture of psychologic and physical stress) exerts negative effects on the stomach and spleen, and whether the phenolic compound resveratrol (RES) exerts any protective roles. Fifty adult male mice were divided into five groups, with 10 mice per group as follows: control (C), restraint stress (RS), RS with vehicle (RS + V), RS with 2 mg/kg of resveratrol (RS + 2 mg RES), and RS with 20 mg/kg of resveratrol (RS + 20 mg RES). Mice were restrained in conical centrifuge tubes for 4 h daily to establish the RS model. RS + 2 mg RES, RS + 20 mg RES, and RS + V groups were given an oral dose of resveratrol or vehicle for 15 consecutive days, while the control group was not exposed to restraint stress. Herein, we showed that restraint stress decreased body weight and food and water consumption in stressed groups RS and RS + V compared to controls, while the groups treated with resveratrol showed improvements. Moreover, restraint stress caused acute damage to the morphology of gastric cells and reduced the quantitative distribution of parietal cells along with their decreased size and diameter, pointing to gastritis or ulcer. Furthermore, the antibody against the apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) was highly attached in the RS groups. Splenic size, weight, and length were also greatly augmented in the stressed groups compared to the controls, while these phenomena were not observed in the RS + 2 mg RES group. Our findings proved significant ameliorating effects of resveratrol against restraint stress in adult male mice.