Effect of the estrous cycle on zinc transporter expression in bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes and oviduct epithelial cells.

ABSTRACT

During the luteal and follicular phases of the estrous cycle, cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) and oviduct epithelial cells (OEC) undergo notable physiological and morphological changes. Maintaining proper zinc (Zn) homeostasis is crucial in both somatic and germinal mammalian cells. This study aimed to assess the impact of the estrous phase (luteal or follicular) on Zn transporter expression in bovine COC and OEC (BOEC). The expression of Zn transporters Slc39a6 (ZIP6), Slc39a8 (ZIP8), Slc39a14 (ZIP14), Slc30a3 (ZnT3), Slc30a7 (ZnT7), and Slc30a9 (ZnT9) was analyzed in COC and BOEC from cows during the luteal or follicular phases. Gene expression of ZIP6, ZIP14, and ZnT9 was quantified in COC and BOEC. The gene expression in the remaining transporters could not be quantified due to low mRNA levels (ZIP8 and ZnT3 in COC and BOEC; ZnT7 in BOEC) or absence of expression (ZnT7 in COC). In COC, the relative expression (RE) of all three transporters was higher in the luteal phase compared to the follicular phase (P ≤ 0.05). In BOEC, the luteal phase increased the RE of ZIP 6 (P ≤ 0.05), decreased the RE of ZnT9 (P ≤ 0.05), and did not modify the RE of ZIP14 (P > 0.05) compared to the follicular phase. In conclusion, the study reveals differences in the gene expression of ZIP6, ZIP14, and ZnT9 according to the estrous cycle phase in ex vivo samples of bovine COC and OEC.