1
|
Rawan AF, Langar H, Munetomo M, Yamamoto Y, Kawano K, Kimura K. Effects of insulin-like growth factor-1 on the mRNA expression of estradiol receptors, steroidogenic enzymes, and steroid production in bovine follicles. J Reprod Dev 2023; 69:337-346. [PMID: 37940556 PMCID: PMC10721850 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2023-047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) plays a crucial role in follicular growth and stimulates steroid hormone production in bovine follicles. Steroid hormones are synthesized through the actions of steroidogenic enzymes, specifically STAR, CYP11A1, HSD3B, and CYP19A1 in both theca cells (TCs) and granulosa cells (GCs), under the influence of gonadotropins. Particularly, estradiol 17β (E2) assumes a central role in follicular development and selection by activating estrogen receptors β (ESR2) in GCs. We assessed ESR2 mRNA expression in GCs of developing follicles and investigated the impact of IGF-1 on the mRNA expression of ESR2, CYP19A1, FSHR, and LHCGR, STAR, CYP11A1, and HSD17B in cultured GCs and TCs, respectively. Additionally, we assessed the influence of IGF-1 on androstenedione (A4), progesterone (P4), and testosterone (T) production in TCs. Small-sized follicles (< 6 mm) exhibited the highest levels of ESR2 mRNA expression, whereas medium-sized follicles (7-8 mm) displayed higher levels than large-sized follicles (≥ 9 mm) (P < 0.05). IGF-1 increased the mRNA expression of ESR2, CYP19A1, and FSHR in GCs of follicles of both sizes, except for FSHR mRNA in medium-sized follicles (P < 0.05). IGF-1 significantly elevated mRNA expression of LHCGR, STAR, CYP11A1, and CYP17B in TCs of small- and medium-sized follicles (P < 0.05). Moreover, IGF-1 augmented the production of A4 and P4 but had no impact on T production in TCs of small- and medium-sized follicles. Taken together, our findings indicate that IGF-1 upregulates steroidogenic enzymes and steroid hormone production, underscoring the crucial role of IGF-1 in follicle development and selection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Farid Rawan
- Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
- Pre-Clinic Department, Veterinary Science Faculty, Nangarhar University, 2603, Afghanistan
| | - Hikmatullah Langar
- Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
| | - Maho Munetomo
- Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
| | - Yuki Yamamoto
- Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
- Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-0054, Japan
| | - Kohei Kawano
- Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
| | - Koji Kimura
- Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology, Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cheng J, Pan Y, Yang S, Wei Y, Lv Q, Xing Q, Zhang R, Sun L, Qin G, Shi D, Deng Y. Integration of transcriptomics and non-targeted metabolomics reveals the underlying mechanism of follicular atresia in Chinese buffalo. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 212:105944. [PMID: 34144152 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2021.105944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Follicular atresia is a complex physiological process, which results in the waste of follicles and oocytes from the ovary. Elucidating the physiological mechanism of follicular atresia will hopefully reverse the fate of follicles, thereby improve the reproductive efficiency of female animals. However, there are still many gaps to be filled during the follicular atresia process. In this study, we first comprehensively summarized and compared a variety of methods to classify Chinese buffalo follicles with different extent of atresia. Then follicular fluid and granulosa cells from the corresponding follicles with different extent of atresia were collected for non-targeted metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis, respectively. After the detection and analysis of 129 follicles, a reasonable classification standard was formed: on the basis of morphological classification, the relative concentrations of estradiol (E2) and progesterone (PROG) in the follicular fluid were determined, follicles with an estradiol-to-progesterone (E2/PROG) ratio >5 were classified as healthy follicles (HF), 1≤ E2/PROG ≤5 as early atretic follicles (EF) and E2/PROG <1 as late atretic follicles (LF). Correspondingly, follicles with granulosa cells apoptosis rate less than 15 % were divided into HF, 15%-25% were classified as EF and more than 25 % were classified as LF. The integration analysis of non-targeted metabolomics and transcriptomics highlights the following three aspects: (1) Atresia seriously damaged the lipid metabolism homeostasis of follicle, in which PPARγ play important roles. (2) Energy metabolism and nucleotide metabolism of atretic follicles were inhibited. (3) Bilirubin is involved in follicular atresia, and it may be the main force to prevent lipid peroxidation in follicular cells. In summary, results of this study provide new understanding of the molecular mechanisms of Chinese buffalo follicular atresia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juanru Cheng
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Animal Reproduction Institute, Guangxi University, Nanning, PR China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Buffalo Genetics, Guangxi Buffalo Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanning, PR China
| | - Yu Pan
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Animal Reproduction Institute, Guangxi University, Nanning, PR China
| | - Sufang Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Animal Reproduction Institute, Guangxi University, Nanning, PR China
| | - Yaochang Wei
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Animal Reproduction Institute, Guangxi University, Nanning, PR China
| | - Qiao Lv
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Animal Reproduction Institute, Guangxi University, Nanning, PR China
| | - Qinghua Xing
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Animal Reproduction Institute, Guangxi University, Nanning, PR China
| | - Ruimen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Animal Reproduction Institute, Guangxi University, Nanning, PR China
| | - Le Sun
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Animal Reproduction Institute, Guangxi University, Nanning, PR China
| | - Guangsheng Qin
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Buffalo Genetics, Guangxi Buffalo Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Ministry of Agriculture, Nanning, PR China
| | - Deshun Shi
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Animal Reproduction Institute, Guangxi University, Nanning, PR China.
| | - Yanfei Deng
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Subtropical Agro-bioresources, Animal Reproduction Institute, Guangxi University, Nanning, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lange A, Schwieger R, Plöntzke J, Schäfer S, Röblitz S. Follicular competition in cows: the selection of dominant follicles as a synergistic effect. J Math Biol 2018; 78:579-606. [PMID: 30194480 DOI: 10.1007/s00285-018-1284-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Revised: 08/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The reproductive cycle of mono-ovulatory species such as cows or humans is known to show two or more waves of follicular growth and decline between two successive ovulations. Within each wave, there is one dominant follicle escorted by subordinate follicles of varying number. Under the surge of the luteinizing hormone a growing dominant follicle ovulates. Rarely the number of ovulating follicles exceeds one. In the biological literature, the change of hormonal concentrations and individually varying numbers of follicular receptors are made responsible for the selection of exactly one dominant follicle, yet a clear cause has not been identified. In this paper, we suggest a synergistic explanation based on competition, formulated by a parsimoniously defined system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) that quantifies the time evolution of multiple follicles and their competitive interaction during one wave. Not discriminating between follicles, growth and decline are given by fixed rates. Competition is introduced via a growth-suppressing term, equally supported by all follicles. We prove that the number of dominant follicles is determined exclusively by the ratio of follicular growth and competition. This number turns out to be independent of the number of subordinate follicles. The asymptotic behavior of the corresponding dynamical system is investigated rigorously, where we demonstrate that the [Formula: see text]-limit set only contains fixed points. When also including follicular decline, our ODEs perfectly resemble ultrasound data of bovine follicles. Implications for the involved but not explicitly modeled hormones are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Lange
- Computational Systems Biology, Zuse Institute Berlin, Berlin, Germany. .,Department of Applied Biosciences and Process Engineering, Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Köthen, Germany.
| | - Robert Schwieger
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julia Plöntzke
- Computational Systems Biology, Zuse Institute Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Schäfer
- Computational Systems Biology, Zuse Institute Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanna Röblitz
- Computational Systems Biology, Zuse Institute Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Transcriptomic signature of the follicular somatic compartment surrounding an oocyte with high developmental competence. Sci Rep 2017; 7:6815. [PMID: 28755009 PMCID: PMC5533789 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-07039-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2017] [Accepted: 06/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
During antral folliculogenesis, developmental competence of prospective oocytes is regulated in large part by the follicular somatic component to prepare the oocyte for the final stage of maturation and subsequent embryo development. The underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Oocytes reaching the advanced stage of follicular growth by administration of exogenous follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) possess higher developmental competence than oocytes in FSH-untreated smaller follicles. In this study, the transcriptomic profile of the cumulus cells from cows receiving FSH administration (FSH-priming) was compared, as a model of high oocyte competence, with that from untreated donor cows (control). Ingenuity Pathway Analysis showed that cumulus cells receiving FSH-priming were rich in down-regulated transcripts associated with cell movement and migration, including the extracellular matrix-related transcripts, probably preventing the disruption of cell-to-cell contacts. Interestingly, the transcriptomic profile of up-regulated genes in the control group was similar to that of granulosa cells from atretic follicles. Interferon regulatory factor 7 was activated as the key upstream regulator of FSH-priming. Thus, acquisition of developmental competence by oocytes can be ensured by the integrity of cumulus cells involved in cell-to-cell communication and cell survival, which may help achieve enhanced oocyte-somatic cell coupling.
Collapse
|
5
|
Kafi M, Maleki M, Davoodian N. Functional histology of the ovarian follicles as determined by follicular fluid concentrations of steroids and IGF-1 in Camelus dromedarius. Res Vet Sci 2015; 99:37-40. [PMID: 25633585 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2015.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2014] [Revised: 11/25/2014] [Accepted: 01/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Ovaries were collected from sexually mature non-pregnant dromedary she-camels. Follicles 6 to 19 mm in diameter per pair of ovaries were randomly selected and classified into clear (n = 30), or opaque (n = 14) based on macroscopic examination of the follicle surface, and then were divided into four classes: clear follicles with 6- 9.9 and 10-19 mm diameter; opaque follicles with 6- 9.9 and 10-19 mm diameter. Follicular fluid (FF) was aspirated for measurement of estradiol-17β, progesterone and IGF-I concentrations, and then a section of tissue through the exposed surface of the follicle wall was removed and fixed in and processed for histological examination. Mean (±SE) number of clear follicles observed on the ovaries that contained a large dominant follicle was less than that on the ovaries which contained a large atretic follicle (p < 0.05; 2.6 ± 1 vs 8.6 ± 0.6). In conclusion, the estrogenic large follicles have suppressive effects on the growth of other follicles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Kafi
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, 71345, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - M Maleki
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Mashad University, 48974 Mashad, Iran
| | - N Davoodian
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, 71345, Shiraz, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Mirakhori F, Zeynali B, Tafreshi AP, Shirmohammadian A. Lithium induces follicular atresia in rat ovary through a GSK-3β/β-catenin dependent mechanism. Mol Reprod Dev 2013; 80:286-96. [PMID: 23426897 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2012] [Accepted: 02/06/2013] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Lithium chloride (LiCl) is a drug used to treat bipolar disorder, but has side effects in the female reproductive system. Although lithium is known to decrease folliculogenesis and induce follicular atresia in rodent ovaries, its cellular and molecular effects in the ovary have not yet been addressed. To investigate these effects, 23-day-old immature female rats were injected with 10 IU pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG), followed by injections of 250 mg/kg LiCl every 12 hr for four doses. Ovaries were removed 40 and 48 hr after PMSG administration and prepared for histology, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and DNA laddering analysis. Our results showed that in the ovaries of LiCl-treated rats, few antral but more atretic follicles were present compared to those of the control rats. The induction of atresia by LiCl was further confirmed by the presence of DNA fragmentation, accompanied by a reduced level of 17β-estradiol in the serum. At the cellular level, lithium significantly decreased the number of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive cells and conversely increased the number of TUNEL-positive cells in the granulosa layer of the antral follicles. At the molecular level, lithium increased the level of phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase-3β, and unexpectedly decreased the expression of active (stabilized) β-catenin. Altogether, our results indicate that lithium disrupts the balance between proliferation and apoptosis in granulosa cells, leading to follicular atresia possibly through the reduction in both the stabilized β-catenin and 17β-estradiol synthesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fahimeh Mirakhori
- Developmental Biology Lab, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Hostens M, Fievez V, Vlaeminck B, Buyse J, Leroy J, Piepers S, De Vliegher S, Opsomer G. The effect of marine algae in the ration of high-yielding dairy cows during transition on metabolic parameters in serum and follicular fluid around parturition. J Dairy Sci 2011; 94:4603-15. [PMID: 21854933 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2010-3899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2010] [Accepted: 05/27/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Sixteen Holstein cows were assigned to 2 groups to evaluate the caloric and metabolic effect of feeding marine algae (ALG) from 3 wk prepartum until 12 wk postpartum. Milk production characteristics and the profiles of hormones and metabolites in the serum were monitored from -7 to 46 d in milk (DIM) and in follicular fluid (FF) from 14 to 46 DIM. All cows received a corn- and grass silage-based partially mixed ration supplemented with concentrate and protein supplement. In the diet of the ALG group, 2 kg of the concentrate was replaced by a concentrate containing ALG (44 g/d of docosahexaenoic acid). Diets were isocaloric (net energy basis) and equal in intestinal digestible protein. The ALG diet increased milk yield (41.2 vs. 38.2 kg/d) and decreased milk fat yield (1.181 vs. 1.493 kg/d) and milk fat content (31.6 vs. 40.7 g/kg). Protein yield (1.336 vs. 1.301 kg/d) was not affected but a tendency toward decreased milk protein content (32.8 vs. 34.7 g/kg) was observed. Marine algae supplementation increased the β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) concentration in FF of the ALG cows compared with that in the controls (0.992 vs. 0.718 mmol/L). The total protein concentration in FF was decreased in ALG (62.9 vs. 67.6 g/L). Plasma and serum metabolites did not significantly differ between treatments except for a tendency toward a lower concentration of urea in the serum of the control compared with ALG (4.69 vs. 5.13 mmol/L). Based on metabolizable energy calculations, a daily energy-sparing effect of 3.48 Mcal was obtained due to milk fat depression (MFD). The concomitant increase in milk yield suggests that at least part of this spared energy is used to stimulate milk production. Theoretically, 3.48 Mcal of ME could lead to an increase in milk yield of 7.43 kg/d, which is higher than the observed 3 kg/d. However, when evaluating nutrient requirements during MFD in early lactation, we calculated that increased milk production is caused by a propionate-saving effect of 2.71 mol in the udder when milk fat is depressed. Concurrent increased BHBA concentrations in FF in the ALG group cannot be attributed to a worsened energy status of the animals because all other indicators contradict any change in energy balance, indicating that BHBA might not be an appropriate metabolic parameter to estimate the energy balance in early lactating dairy cows during MFD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Hostens
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Effect of follicular wave synchronization on in vitro embryo production in heifers. Anim Reprod Sci 2010; 117:201-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2009.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2008] [Revised: 04/14/2009] [Accepted: 04/27/2009] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
|
9
|
Rodgers RJ, Irving-Rodgers HF. Morphological classification of bovine ovarian follicles. Reproduction 2009; 139:309-18. [PMID: 19786400 DOI: 10.1530/rep-09-0177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Follicle classification is an important aid to the understanding of follicular development and atresia. Some bovine primordial follicles have the classical primordial shape, but ellipsoidal shaped follicles with some cuboidal granulosa cells at the poles are far more common. Preantral follicles have one of two basal lamina phenotypes, either a single aligned layer or one with additional layers. In antral follicles <5 mm diameter, half of the healthy follicles have columnar shaped basal granulosa cells and additional layers of basal lamina, which appear as loops in cross section ('loopy'). The remainder have aligned single-layered follicular basal laminas with rounded basal cells, and contain better quality oocytes than the loopy/columnar follicles. In sizes >5 mm, only aligned/rounded phenotypes are present. Dominant and subordinate follicles can be identified by ultrasound and/or histological examination of pairs of ovaries. Atretic follicles <5 mm are either basal atretic or antral atretic, named on the basis of the location in the membrana granulosa where cells die first. Basal atretic follicles have considerable biological differences to antral atretic follicles. In follicles >5 mm, only antral atresia is observed. The concentrations of follicular fluid steroid hormones can be used to classify atresia and distinguish some of the different types of atresia; however, this method is unlikely to identify follicles early in atresia, and hence misclassify them as healthy. Other biochemical and histological methods can be used, but since cell death is a part of normal homoeostatis, deciding when a follicle has entered atresia remains somewhat subjective.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R J Rodgers
- The Robinson Institute, Research Centre for Reproductive Health, Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia.
| | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Nemcova L, Machatkova M, Hanzalova K, Horakova J, Kanka J. Gene expression in bovine embryos derived from oocytes with different developmental competence collected at the defined follicular developmental stage. Theriogenology 2006; 65:1254-64. [PMID: 16169583 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2005.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2005] [Revised: 07/23/2005] [Accepted: 08/14/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to compare the expression of selected genes in bovine embryos developed from oocytes with different developmental competence. Four oocyte populations were collected, separately either from small (2-5 mm) or medium (6-10 mm) follicles, in the growth/stagnation (G/S) or dominance/regression (D/R) stage of the first follicular wave. They were matured, fertilized and cultured to D7 or D8 blastocysts by a standard protocol. Poly (A)+ mRNA was extracted from pooled blastocysts and the expression of bax-alpha (Bax), connexin 43 (Cx 43) and connexin 31 (Cx 31) was estimated using real-time RT-PCR. The cleavage rates were significantly higher in oocytes collected from both medium and small follicles, (p < or = 0.05 and p < or = 0.01, respectively) in the G/S than in the D/R stage. There were no significant differences in the D7 blastocyst rates between oocytes from both medium and small follicles in the G/S or D/R stage. But the D8 blastocyst rate was significantly higher in oocytes from small follicles in the G/S stage compared with those in the D/R stage. The relative abundance of Bax and Cx 31 made no significant difference in both D7 and D8 blastocysts developed from oocytes collected from medium or small follicles in the G/S or D/R stages. But the relative abundance of the Cx 43 transcript was significantly higher in D8 blastocysts developed from oocytes collected from both medium and small follicles in the G/S stage compared with those in the D/R stage. We conclude that the relative abundance of Cx 43 can be used as a marker of developmental potential for embryos derived from oocytes with different developmental competence because the level of Cx 43 transcript was greater in embryos derived from oocytes with greater developmental competence compared with those derived from oocytes with lesser developmental competence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Nemcova
- Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Rumburská 89, 277 21 Libechov, Czech Republic
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Greenaway J, Gentry PA, Feige JJ, LaMarre J, Petrik JJ. Thrombospondin and vascular endothelial growth factor are cyclically expressed in an inverse pattern during bovine ovarian follicle development. Biol Reprod 2004; 72:1071-8. [PMID: 15616224 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.104.031120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis does not normally occur in most adult tissues. However, in the ovary, there are cyclical vascular changes including angiogenesis that involve the interaction of numerous cytokines and growth factors. Angiogenic processes are regulated by a balance between pro- and antiangiogenic factors. The purpose of this study was to determine the expression of the antiangiogenic thrombospondin family and proangiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in various sizes of healthy bovine follicles. Ovaries were collected from slaughterhouse animals and healthy follicles were sorted based on size (< 0.5 cm, small; 0.5-1.0 cm, medium; >1.0 cm, large). Thrombospondin (TSP) protein levels were significantly higher in small follicles. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the granulosa layer as the primary area within the follicle involved in TSP generation and that small follicles had the highest proportion of immunopositive cells. TSP-1 and -2 mRNA levels were significantly higher in small follicles than either medium or large follicles. TSP colocalized with CD36 on granulosa cells (GC) in the follicle and in cultured cells. In contrast with TSP, VEGF expression increased during growth and development of the follicle. FSH stimulated GC expression of TSP, while LH had no effect. In summary, TSP-1 and -2 were coordinately expressed in the extravascular compartment of the ovary during early follicle development. VEGF was inversely expressed, with expression increasing as follicles developed. Regulated expression and localization of these proteins suggests that they may be involved in regulating growth and development of the follicle in a novel fashion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James Greenaway
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Algriany O, Bevers M, Schoevers E, Colenbrander B, Dieleman S. Follicle size-dependent effects of sow follicular fluid on in vitro cumulus expansion, nuclear maturation and blastocyst formation of sow cumulus oocytes complexes. Theriogenology 2004; 62:1483-97. [PMID: 15451257 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2004.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2003] [Revised: 02/18/2004] [Accepted: 02/19/2004] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Follicular fluid from 2 to 4 and 5 to 8 mm diameter non-atretic follicles (SFF and LFF, respectively) of sows was added during IVM of cumulus oocytes complexes (COCs) to study its effects on cumulus expansion, nuclear maturation, and subsequent fertilization and embryo development in presence or absence of recombinant human FSH. COCs aspirated from 2 to 5 mm follicles of sow ovaries, were cultured for the first 22 h in TCM-199 and 100 microM cysteamine, with or without 10% pFF and/or 0.05 IU/ml recombinant hFSH. For the next 22 h, the COCs were cultured in the same medium, but without pFF and FSH. After culture, cumulus cells were removed and the oocytes were either fixed and stained to evaluate nuclear stages or co-incubated with fresh sperm. Twenty-four hours after fertilization, presumptive zygotes were fixed to examine fertilization or cultured for 6 days to allow blastocyst formation. Subsequently, embryos were evaluated and the blastocysts were fixed and stained to determine cell numbers. When LFF was added to maturation medium, cumulus expansion and percentage of nuclear maturation (277 +/- 61 microm and 72%, respectively) of COCs were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those in SFF (238 +/- 33 microm and 55%, respectively). However, in the presence of FSH both FF stimulated cumulus expansion and nuclear maturation to a similar degree. No differences were observed with regards to sperm penetration, male pronucleus formation, and to polyspermia between fertilized oocytes matured either in SFF or LFF. Fertilized oocytes matured in the presence of LFF without or with FSH showed a higher cleavage (45 +/- 7% and 51 +/- 7%, respectively) and blastocyst (14 +/- 4% and 22 +/- 6%, respectively) formation rate compared to SFF (cleavage, 35 +/- 8% and 41 +/- 4%, blastocyst: 8 +/- 3 and 13 +/-3, respectively; P < 0.05). The mean number of cells per blastocyst did not differ significantly between treatments. These findings indicate that factor(s) within follicles at later stages of development play an important role during oocyte maturation and thereby enhance developmental competence to occur.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Omran Algriany
- Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 7, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Gastal EL, Gastal MO, Beg MA, Ginther OJ. Interrelationships among follicles during the common-growth phase of a follicular wave and capacity of individual follicles for dominance in mares. Reproduction 2004; 128:417-22. [PMID: 15454636 DOI: 10.1530/rep.1.00259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The changing diameter interrelationships among follicles during the interval from emergence to deviation (common-growth phase) were studied in 59 mares. All follicles of ≥6.0 mm were ablated 10 days after ovulation. The four largest follicles of the postablation wave were ranked D1, D2, D3 and D4 at the expected beginning of deviation (D1 ≥ 20.0 mm), according to descending diameter. The four follicles were also ranked independently, according to order of emergence at 6.0–6.9 mm as E1 (first to emerge), E2, E3 and E4. The follicles emerged during 1.3 ± 0.1 to 3.1 ± 0.1 days, and expected deviation began 6.5 ± 0.1 days after ablation. The frequency of emerging follicles becoming the largest follicle at the beginning of deviation was different (P < 0.0001; chi-square test) among follicles E1 (61%), E2 (25%), E3 (9%) and E4 (5%). There were no differences in growth rates among the four follicles throughout the common-growth phase (overall, 2.8 ± 0.04 mm/day). The differences in diameters between follicles E1 and E2 were similar between 3 days (2.7 ± 0.2 mm) and 6 days (2.9 ± 0.4 mm) after ablation. In controls and after ablation of D1; D1 and D2; or D1, D2 and D3 at the expected beginning of deviation, the largest remaining follicle became dominant in 26 of 34 mares (76%). In 10 of 15 mares (67%), the second-largest follicle became dominant when the largest follicle was ablated 1 or 2 days after the expected beginning of deviation. Results indicated the following: 1) the first follicle to emerge maintained its diameter advantage in most mares and average diameter growth rates were similar among the four follicles throughout the common-growth phase; 2) the hypothesis was supported that the capacity for dominance is similar among the four largest follicles at the beginning of deviation, but dominance by a smaller follicle is blocked when a larger follicle is present; and 3) the second-largest follicle retained the capacity for dominance in most mares for as long as 2 days after the beginning of deviation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E L Gastal
- Eutheria Foundation, Cross Plains, Wisconsin 53528, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Rubio Pomar FJ, Roelen BAJ, Slot KA, van Tol HTA, Colenbrander B, Teerds KJ. Role of Fas-Mediated Apoptosis and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone on the Developmental Capacity of Bovine Cumulus Oocyte Complexes In Vitro1. Biol Reprod 2004; 71:790-6. [PMID: 15128594 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.104.028613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Follicular atresia is believed to be largely regulated by apoptosis. To further understand how apoptosis can affect cumulus cells and oocytes we have evaluated the incidence and regulation of apoptosis affecting bovine cumulus oocyte complexes in vitro. Expression of components of the Fas signaling pathway was studied in both oocytes and cumulus cells by polymerase chain reaction after reverse transcription, immunoblotting, and indirect immunofluorescence. Furthermore, the Fas signaling pathway was activated in cumulus oocyte complexes with an agonistic anti-Fas antibody during in vitro maturation in the presence or absence of FSH. Viability and incidence of apoptosis in cumulus cells were evaluated by assessing membrane integrity and nuclear morphology. Oocyte nuclear maturation was also analyzed, as well as cleavage rates, blastocyst formation rates, and blastocyst quality, following in vitro fertilization. Fas mRNA and protein were expressed both in oocytes and cumulus cells. FasL protein was found in cumulus cells but could not be detected in oocytes, despite its mRNA expression. Both activation of the Fas pathway and presence of FSH during in vitro maturation increased the incidence of apoptosis in cumulus cells, affecting predominantly the middle and peripheral regions of the cumulus. The observed increase, however, had no effect on the developmental competence of the oocytes.
Collapse
|