• 한국동물생명공학회지
• /
• 제36권1호
• /
• pp.51-58
• /
• 2021

Kisspeptin, a neuropeptide and the master controller of reproductive axis upstream to GnRH neurons, and its receptor are also expressed in extra-hypothalamic tissues, such as ovaries. As systemic kisspeptin has been shown to modulate follicular dynamics in cattle, we hypothesized that kisspeptin has direct actions on the ovarian follicular development. We also hypothesized that kisspeptin regulation of primordial follicle development is via modulation of VEGF expression. In order to test these hypotheses, we cultured caprine ovarian cortical strips in vitro for 7 days with supplementation of kisspeptin at 1, 10 and 100 µM concentration and observed the development of primordial follicles into intermediate, primary and secondary follicles. We also studied the alteration in the expression profile of VEGF and VEGF transcript variant 2 mRNA during follicular development in the presence of kisspeptin. We confirmed the presence of GPR54 in goat ovaries in our preliminary studies. Supplementation of kisspeptin at 1 and 10 µM concentration facilitated the development of primordial follicles into intermediate, primary and secondary follicles with less number of degenerated follicles while the same at 100 µM resulted in degeneration of follicles. We observed a drastic increase in the expression profile of VEGF and VEGF transcript variant 2 mRNA upon culture which was independent of kisspeptin treatment. In conclusion, our studies show that kisspeptin facilitates ovarian primordial development in vitro.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• 제30권1호
• /
• pp.47-55
• /
• 2003

Objectives: Bok, Bcl-2-related ovarian killer, is a proapoptotic Bcl-2 family protein identified in the ovary based on its dimerization with the antiapoptotic protein Mcl-1. The present study examined the hormonal regulation and localization of Bok messenger RNA levels in the mouse ovary during the follicle development. Methods: The animals were implanted subcutaneously with Silastic brand capsules containing the synthetic estrogen, DES at $21{\sim}23$ days of age. Ovaries were collected $1{\sim}3$ days after implantation for RNA analysis and in situ hybridization. Some mice were removed capsule for $1{\sim}2$ days to induce ovarian follicle apoptosis. Ovaries were also collected from 26 day-old immature mice at various times after treatment with 10 IU PMSG. Some mice received a single intraperitoneal injection of 10 IU hCG to induce ovulation, and ovaries were obtained at different time intervals for Northern blot and in situ hybridization analysis, respectively. Results: Treatment of immature mice with diethylstilbestrol (DES) for $24{\sim}48$ h increased ovarian Bok mRNA levels. Bok mRNA was remained the same levels in mice removed DES for $24{\sim}48$ h to induce apoptosis. High signals of Bok mRNA after DES treatment were detected in granulosa cells of early antral follicles. Treatment of immature mice with PMSG for 12 h increased markedly ovarian Bok mRNA expression which was detected mainly in preantral and atretic follicles. Interestingly, low levels of Bok mRNA were also expressed in granulosa cells of preovulatory follicles. Treatment of PMSGprimed mice with hCG stimulated strongly ovarian Bok mRNA expression at $6{\sim}9$ h. At that time, Bok mRNA was expressed in granulosa cells of atretic and small growing follicles. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that Bok is one of proapoptotic Bcl-2 members expressed in early growing and atretic follicles during the ovarian follicular development. Gonadotropins induce a transient increase of Bok gene expression in granulosa cells of preantral and preovulatory follicles indicating some role in the ovulatory process.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• 제15권11호
• /
• pp.1546-1552
• /
• 2002

Proliferation and differentiation of ovarian cells are regulated by gonadotrophins and various intraovarian factors, with many of their actions dependent on growth factors. Transforming growth factor-$\beta$ (TGF-$\beta$) has been reportedly involved in the regulation of ovarian follicular development. The overall objectives of the present study were to examine the influence of TGF-$\beta$1 expression in ovarian follicular development or yolk formation and to investigate the association of egg weight with ovarian TGF-$\beta$1 expression at 60 wk. Egg weights of 70 Korean Native Ogol Chicken (KNOC) were recorded from 20 to 60 wk. Ovaries were taken at 60 wk, and TGF-$\beta$1 was measured with ELISA, respectively. Based on egg weight up to 60 wk and TGF-$\beta$1 expression in ovary, the chickens were divided into high and low groups. Egg weights and follicle weight in the high TGF-$\beta$1 group were higher than those in the low groups. Also, TGF-$\beta$1 expression and follicle weight in high egg weight group were higher than those in the low groups. Taken together, the results indicate that TGF-$\beta$1 is associated with egg weight in KNOC. This association of TGF-$\beta$1 with egg weight in KNOC supports the report that TGF-$\beta$ is mainly involved in the development and differentiation of follicles in the poultry. Further studies about other endocrine factors related to yolk formation are required to fully understand the endocrine mechanism of egg weight in Korean Native Ogol Chickens.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• 제20권2호
• /
• pp.125-130
• /
• 1993

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) patients have a characteristic of high leuteinizing hormone (LH) to follicle -stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio. Usually, human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) is used to induce ovulation in clomiphene citrate-resistant PCOS patients. However, HMG contains two components, namely, LH and FSH, with 50%, respectively. Therefore, FSH is theoretically recommended to stimulate follicular maturation. From the pituitary, LH is secreted by pulsatile pattern. So, we have been using intermittent subcutaneous injection of pure FSH for ovulation induction in 10 PCOS patients from March, 1990 to August, 1992. We obtained good results by intermittent subcutaneous injection of pure FSH. Ovulation is 100% per patient, and 88.2% per cycle. Pregnancy rate is 80% per patient, and 23.5% per cycle. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is 50% per patient, 41.2% per all cycles, and 46.7% per all ovulated cycles. In comparison with HMG, pregnancy rate per cycle is relatively low. But, ovulation rate and pregnacy rate per person is higher than HMG. Because of the strict check of ovaries by the vaginal ultrasonography, OHSS rate is relatively high.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• 제19권12호
• /
• pp.1711-1715
• /
• 2006

To predict the number of preantral (primordial, primary and secondary) follicles retrieved from bovine ovaries, we examined the relationship between morphological parameters of ovaries and number of preantral follicles retrieved mechanically. The preantral follicles were retrieved mechanically by slicing ovarian tissue and the influences of size of the ovaries, number of antral follicles, and presence of cystic follicle and corpus luteum on the retrieval were evaluated. Total 77 ovaries were used and significant (p<0.05) relationship was detected between the number of antral follicles and the presence of cystic follicles, and the retrieval number. More preantral follicles were retrieved from the ovaries having more than 20 antral follicles than those having less than 20 antral follicles (17,760${\pm}$5,637 vs. 3,689${\pm}$537) in the ovarian cortex. The retrieval number was significantly reduced in cystic ovaries compared with non-cystic ovaries (5,167${\pm}$825 vs. 20,631${\pm}$6,507). However, neither ovary size (<3.5, 3.5 to 4.0, 4.0 to 4.5 and >4.5 cm) nor the presence of corpus luteum affected the follicle retrieval. In conclusion, the number of preantral follicles retrieved from the ovaries can simply be predicted by the number of antral follicles and the presence of cystic follicles in the ovarian cortex.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
• /
• 제4권1호
• /
• pp.13-17
• /
• 2000

FSH는 미성숙 설치류의 난포성장을 촉진하며, 강소형성 난포의 퇴화비율을 감소시킨다. 본 연구는 미성숙 생쥐에 난포성숙호르몬을 투여한 후 유발되는 난포의 조직학적인 변화를 규명하기 위해 시행되었다. 3주령의 ICR생쥐에 10 i.u.의 재조합 난포자극호르몬을 복강주사한 후 1일, 2일, 3일에 좌측 난소의 조직학적 변화를 관찰하였다. 강소형성전 난포의경우 FSH처리 후 시간에 따라 퇴화난포의 비율이 증가하였으나 강소형성 난포의 경우에는 유의한 변화를 보이지 않았다. 퇴화되는 양상은 난포 내 세포자연사하는 과립세포의 증가, 대식세포 및 다형다핵백혈구의 증가 등이 관찰되었다. 이상의 결과로 보아, 과량의 FSH처리 후에 유발되는 난포의 퇴화는 과립세포의 세포자연사뿐 아니라 급성 염증반응을 수반하는 것으로 생각된다.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
• /
• 제48권1호
• /
• pp.8-14
• /
• 2016

포유류의 난소에서 과립막 세포)는 난포내 난자를 둘러싸고 난자 뿐만 아니라 난포의 발달에 필요한 상태를 만드는데 중요한 역할을 한다, 그리고 협막세포 등의 성장과 분화를 조절하는 매우 복잡한 과정이다. 본 연구의 목적은 성장이 정지되어 있는 원시난포에서 성장이 개시되는 1차난포, 2차난포로 전환하는 동안에 관여하여 발현하는 유전자를 조사하는 것이다. 본 연구에서는 5일자, 12일자 난소로부터 총 리보핵산을 추출하여 동량의 RNA로부터 cDNA를 합성하여 ACP-PCR을 수행하였다. 서로 다르게 발현하는 유전자들 (DEGs)을 클로닝과 BLAST를 통한 염기서열 분석하였다. Anxa11과 Plekha5는 5일자 난소에서 높게 나타났으며 특히 난자핵과 세포질에서 높게 발현하였다. 이에 반해 과립막 세포에서는 난포발달단계에 따라 증가하는 양상을 보였다. 본 연구에서 성공적으로 5일, 12일 난소에서 서로 다르게 발현하는 발현유전자 목록을 일부 찾아 확인하였다. 이들은 막융합을 통해 난소의 난포발달과정에서 시간적-공간적인 조절 기전에 의해 이루어 질 것으로 보인다. 이 유전자 발현 정보는 원시난포의 개시와 성장을 위한 전환에 관여하는 기전을 이해하는 기초정보와 난소기능부전의 기전을 규명하는데 정보를 제공할 것으로 기대된다.

• 한국동물생명공학회지
• /
• 제35권4호
• /
• pp.329-337
• /
• 2020

Cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) is a member of the cytochrome P450 superfamily enzymes in mammals and plays a major role in metabolizing endogenous hormones in the liver. In recent days, CYP1A2 expression has been found in not only the liver but also other tissues including the pancreas and lung. However, little information is available regarding the expression of CYP1A2 in the ovary, in spite of the facts that the ovarian follicle growth and atresia are tightly associated with controls of endocrine hormonal networks. Therefore, the expression of CYP1A2 in the ovaries of prepubertal and pubertal rats was investigated to assess its expression pattern and puberty-related alteration. It was demonstrated that the expression level of CYP1A2 was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in the pubertal ovaries than prepubertal counterparts. At the ovarian follicle level in both groups, whereas CYP1A2 expression was less detectable in the primordial, primary and secondary follicles, the strongly positive expression of CYP1A2 was localized in the granulosa cell layers in the antral and pre-ovulatory follicles. However, the ratio of CYP1A2-positive ovarian follicle was significantly (p < 0.01) higher in the ovary of pubertal group (73.1 ± 3.1%) than prepubertal one (41.0 ± 10.5%). During the Immunofluorescence, expression of CYP1A2 was mainly localized in Fas-positive follicles, indicating the atretic follicles. In conclusion, these results suggested that CYP1A2 expression was mainly localized at the atretic follicular cells and affected by the onset of puberty. Further study is still necessary but we hypothesize that CYP1A2 expresses in the atretic follicles to metabolize residue of the reproductive hormones. These findings may have important implications for the fields of reproductive biology of animals.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• 제46권4호
• /
• pp.152-165
• /
• 2019

Objective: This study aimed to examine the effect of vitrification on apoptosis and survival in human preantral follicles after thawing. Methods: This experimental study was conducted at an acute tertiary care hospital from March 2012 to April 2013. Ovaries were sliced into 5 × 5 × 1-mm pieces and divided into the following three groups: preantral follicle isolation, ovarian tissue vitrification-warming followed by follicle isolation, and immunohistochemistry of fresh ovarian tissue. For statistical analyses, the Student t-test, chi-square test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were used. Results: A total of 161 preantral follicles (70% secondary) were collected from ovarian cortex tissue of six women between 30 and 37 years of age who underwent oophorectomy due to cervical cancer or breast cancer. There were no significant differences in the follicular morphology of fresh preantral follicles and vitrified follicles after thawing. The mean Fas ligand (FasL) mRNA expression level was 0.43 ± 0.20 (relative to β-actin) in fresh preantral follicles versus 0.51 ± 0.20 in vitrified follicles (p= 0.22). The mean caspase-3 mRNA expression level in fresh preantral follicles was 0.56 ± 0.49 vs. 0.27 ± 0.21 in vitrified follicles (p= 0.233). One vitrified-thawed secondary follicle grew and developed to an antral follicle within 6 days of culture. Conclusion: Vitrification did not affect preantral follicle morphology or mRNA expression of the apoptosis markers FasL and caspase-3. Further studies are required to establish whether vitrification affects the outcomes of in vitro culture and the maturation of preantral follicles.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• 제48권4호
• /
• pp.347-351
• /
• 2021

Objective: We investigated the impact of vitamin D₃ (VD3) supplementation during mouse preantral follicle culture in vitro and the mRNA expression of 25-hydroxylase (CYP2R1), 1-alpha-hydroxylase (CYP27B1), and vitamin D receptor (VDR) in mouse ovarian follicles at different stages. Methods: Preantral follicles were retrieved from 39 BDF1 mice (7-8 weeks old) and then cultured in vitro for 12 days under VD3 supplementation (0, 25, and 50 pg/mL). Follicular development and the final oocyte acquisition were assessed. Preantral follicles were retrieved from 15 other BDF1 mice (7-8 weeks old) and cultured without VD3 supplementation. Three stages of mouse ovarian follicles were obtained (preantral, antral, and ruptured follicles). Total RNA was extracted from the pooled cells (from 20 follicles at each stage), and then reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was performed to identify mRNA for CYP2R1, CYP27B1, and VDR. Results: The survival of preantral follicles, rates of antrum formation and ruptured follicles (per initiated follicle) and the number of total or mature oocytes were all comparable among the three groups. Both CYP2R1 and CYP27B1 were expressed in antral and ruptured follicles, but not in preantral follicles. VDR was expressed in all three follicular stages. Conclusion: VD3 supplementation in vitro (25 or 50 pg/mL) did not enhance mouse follicular development or final oocyte acquisition. Follicular stage-specific expression of CYP2R1, CYP27B1, and VDR was observed.