Activin promotes follicular integrity and oogenesis in cultured pre-antral bovine follicles.
Mol Hum Reprod
; 16(9): 644-53, 2010 Sep.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-20203128
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to determine the individual and combined effect of activin and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) on somatic and germ cell development in cultured pre-antral follicles. Pre-antral bovine follicles (mean diameter 157 +/- 3, range 132-199 microm) were cultured for 8 days in serum-free medium in the presence of either 100 ng/ml of recombinant human activin A (rhAct A), 100 ng/ml rhAct A combined with a high (100 ng/ml) or low (50 ng/ml) concentration of recombinant FSH (rFSH) or 50 ng/ml rFSH alone. Intrafollicular connexin 43 expression and actin-based cell adhesion were assessed on Day 2 and 4 of culture. Steroidogenesis was evaluated after Day 4 and 8. Follicles exposed to 100 ng/ml activin maintained expression of connexin 43 at the follicular periphery. In the presence of activin, with or without 100 ng/ml or 50 ng/ml FSH, follicles were steroidogenic undergoing significant growth (P < 0.01), granulosa cell proliferation (P < 0.01) and antral cavity formation (P < 0.05) compared with cultured controls. Maximum oocyte growth occurred in the presence of 100 ng/ml activin alone with a significant percentage of these oocytes maintaining normal morphology over controls (P < 0.05). These results are consistent with a role for activin in maintaining oocyte granulosa cell interactions due to increased peripheral granulosa cell adhesion to the basement membrane and retention of adhesion at the surface of the zona pellucida. Thus, the polarized expression of cell contact interactions promoted by activin supports ongoing folliculogenesis.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Oócitos
/
Oogênese
/
Ativinas
/
Subunidades beta de Inibinas
/
Folículo Ovariano
Limite:
Animals
/
Female
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Mol Hum Reprod
Assunto da revista:
BIOLOGIA MOLECULAR
/
MEDICINA REPRODUTIVA
Ano de publicação:
2010
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Reino Unido