水牛胎儿卵泡细胞和卵母细胞凋亡的特征

选择5月龄胎儿水牛的卵巢，采用石蜡切片、HE染色的光镜观察和DNA末端原位标记技术（TUNEL）进行了研究。结果表明：5月龄胎儿卵巢上分布着大量的凋亡细胞；在皮质部存在的大量腔前卵泡中，均匀分布有单个凋亡的卵泡细胞和卵母细胞，凋亡细胞的主要组织学变化是细胞缩小，核浓缩；DNA末端标记变化主要显示出TUNEL阳性。上述结果提示：水牛卵泡细胞和卵母细胞凋亡在胎儿时期已经存在，细胞凋亡是启动水牛腔前卵泡闭锁的潜在机理。     

水牛有腔卵泡颗粒细胞凋亡的生物形态学特征

为了解水牛有腔卵泡闭锁的起因和有腔卵泡中是否存在卵泡颗粒细胞凋亡，本研究选择青春期前水牛和成年（发情间期和发情期）水牛的卵巢，采用石蜡组织切片、HE染色技术进行光镜观察，并采用DNA原位末端标记（TUNEL）技术和透射电镜观察研究了卵泡颗粒细胞凋亡的特征。结果表明：青春期前水牛的健康有腔卵泡上无或仅有极个别凋亡的卵泡颗粒细胞（GCs），而闭锁有腔卵泡上存在有多量凋亡的GCs，凋亡的形式：GCs层内出现单个或多个凋亡细胞，卵泡腔内出现凋亡小体群。在成年水牛发情间期的闭锁大卵泡上，GCs层弯曲皱折，存在多量凋亡的GCs。发情期水牛成熟卵泡的GCs层也存在GCs凋亡，排卵前的GCs层细胞全部脱落到卵泡腔内。本研究首次在同一组织切片上先后分别应用HE染色和TUNEL检查细胞凋亡，且证实了水牛有腔卵泡GCs凋亡的存在。超微结构显示了GCs凋亡的核边集化、核浓缩及凋亡小体的形态。上述结果提示：在水牛闭锁有腔卵泡中存在着GCs凋亡，GCs凋亡是启动水牛有腔卵泡闭锁的潜在机理。     

不同品种牛卵泡液对水牛卵母细胞体外受精效果的影响

试验利用水牛卵泡液(BuFF)和黄牛卵泡液(BoFF)对不同来源水牛卵母细胞体外受精效果的影响进行了探讨,以完善水牛体外受精培养系统,进一步提高水牛胚胎体外生产效率。试验按成熟培养液中添加卵泡液替代胎牛血清量共分4个组。不添加卵泡液(0%+10%胎牛血清)为Ⅰ组(对照组);添加5%卵泡液+5%胎牛血清为Ⅱ组;添加10%卵泡液+0%胎牛血清为Ⅲ组;添加15%卵泡液+0%胎牛血清为Ⅳ组。结果表明,添加BuFF对活体采集卵母细胞和屠宰场收集卵母细胞的体外受精卵分裂率无显著影响(P0.05),但添加5%和10%BuFF对卵母细胞体外受精后的胚胎发育有明显促进作用,囊胚率均极显著高于对照组和15%BuFF组(P0.01),5%和10%BuFF组间无显著差异(P0.05);添加15%BuFF囊胚率有降低的趋势,但与对照组相比差异不显著(P0.05)。而添加10%BoFF组活体采集卵母细胞体外受精的受精卵分裂率和囊胚率均极显著高于对照组和5%BoFF组(P0.01),添加5%BoFF组的受精卵分裂率和囊胚率与对照组无显著差异(P0.05);添加BoFF对屠宰场收集水牛卵母细胞体外受精卵分裂率无显著差异(P0.05),但添加5%和10%BoFF组的囊胚率均显著高于对照组和15%组(P0.05),添加15%BoFF组与对照组相比,囊胚率显著降低(P0.05),5%和10%BoFF组间囊胚率无显著差异(P0.05)。综合以上结果,在水牛卵母细胞成熟培养液中添加5%～10%的BuFF或BoFF代替牛血清,可明显提高水牛体外胚胎生产效率,且以添加同种的BuFF效果略好。     

抑制BET蛋白对水牛支持细胞自噬的影响

旨在探究抑制水牛BET(bromodomain and extra terminal, BET)蛋白对支持细胞自噬调控的影响。以水牛支持细胞(sertoli cells, SCs)为研究对象,首先从睾丸中分离纯化得到高纯度的SCs,通过免疫荧光法及RT-PCR法检测出水牛SCs的标记基因均正常表达。结果显示,BET蛋白被抑制后,水牛SCs形态和数量发生显著变化,细胞的体积变大,数量减少,折光性减弱,免疫荧光分析和MDC分析也证实其生物学功能受到影响。超微结构分析发现,水牛SCs中产生大量自噬体、自噬溶酶体以及自噬空泡,且自噬相关标记基因的表达量显著提升。说明抑制BET蛋白可引起水牛SCs活性和自噬活性降低,并导致自噬体增多。结果表明,本试验为BET蛋白调控雄性生殖机制的研究提供了依据。     

水牛卵泡颗粒细胞对卵母细胞体外成熟的影响

为了系统研究颗粒细胞对水牛卵母细胞体外成熟的影响,使用颗粒细胞条件液处理或单层颗粒细胞和卵母细胞共培养的方法,探讨颗粒细胞共培养对水牛卵母细胞体外成熟和早期胚胎发育的影响.结果显示,添加颗粒细胞传代接种第2天收集的20％颗粒细胞条件液到水牛卵母细胞成熟液中能显著提高水牛卵母细胞体外成熟率和囊胚发育率(P＜0.05);然...     

胶原酶对水牛腔前卵泡的分离及培养的影响

研究旨在找出一种水牛腔前卵泡的有效分离方法。采用酶消化结合机械法来分离水牛的腔前卵泡 ,并分别进行培养。来自屠宰场的水牛卵巢 ,先用剪刀去掉髓质部 ,用眼科手术剪刀将其剪碎 ,然后分别用浓度为 0 (CK )、0 0 2 %、0 0 4%、0 0 8%的胶原酶消化 2 0分钟 ,采集腔前卵泡 ,每个卵巢分别获得 3 3 5 6± 6 1 5、40 3 8±6 1 2、47 75± 6 84和 5 2 69± 6 1 5个腔前卵泡 ,试验组的数量明显多于对照组 ( p <0 0 5 )。体外培养 72h后的腔前卵泡存活率分别为 5 0 86%、43 5 5 %、43 0 6%和 2 7 3 1 % ,用 0 0 8%胶原酶消化的存活数显著低于其它组 ( p <0 0 1 )。用胶原酶分离水牛的腔前卵泡 ,适宜的浓度为 0 0 4%。     

水牛卵泡GCs体外培养发生凋亡的生物学特征

为了解水牛卵巢卵泡中颗粒细胞（GCs）和卵母细胞在体外培养过程中发生凋亡的变化特征,通过体外培养、血清撤除法诱导水牛卵泡GCs凋亡,并应用苏木精伊红（HE）染色和DNA原位末端标记的TUNEL方法观察其病理特征;通过水牛腔前卵泡体外培养、诱导或等待其中的卵母细胞及卵泡细胞发生凋亡,然后应用透射电镜技术检查其超微结构改变。结果显示：凋亡卵泡GCs的HE染色特征包括细胞体积缩小,染色较深呈紫黑色,且多成簇分布。DNA原位末端标记检查的特征是DNA发生降解,其降解碎片呈TUNEL阳性。原始卵泡体外培养中调亡卵母细胞的超微结构表现为胞核碎裂成电子密度高的大碎片,或出现形态奇特的凋亡小体;初级卵泡中的调亡GCs,细胞内外均出现凋亡小体,细胞内还见有典型的螺层状内质网结构,其中包涵部分核质。     

细胞松弛素B对水牛体细胞核移植效果的影响

以水牛耳皮成纤维细胞为供体细胞,采用电融合方法,探讨细胞松弛素B(CB)对水牛体细胞核移植效果的影响.体外成熟培养22～24 h的水牛卵母细胞去核后.将经0.1 mg/L Aphidicolin(APD)+0.5%FBS培养2～9 d的水牛耳皮成纤维细胞注射到卵周隙中再经电融合(100 V/mm,15μs,电脉冲3次)构建核移植重构胚.重构胚经化学激活后(5 μmol/L)离子霉素5 min,2 mmol/L 6-DMAP 3 h)培养,7～9 d评定其胚胎发育能力.结果显示,在含CB(3 mg/L)的融合液中进行电融合后,核移植的融合率、重组胚的存活率、卵裂率和囊胚率与对照组(不含CB)相比均无显著差异(P>0.05);核移植重组胚激活前用含CB(6 mg/L)的培养液培养1 h,其激活后的存活率(97.52%)和体外囊胚发育率(22.09%)均显著地高于未经CB处理的重组胚的存活率(93.87%)和囊胚率(13.25%,P<0.05);重组胚经离子霉素激活5 min后,在6-DMAP+CB中培养3 h的分裂率明显低于放在6-DMAP中培养3 h的分裂率(65.37% vs 78.92%,P<0.05),但囊胚发育率无显著差异(11.19% vs 10.96%,P>0.05).这表明水牛体细胞核移植电融合时,融合液中不添加CB,而核移植重组胚激活前经CB培养处理后,有利于胚胎的进一步发育,但激活后用CB培养处理会降低胚胎的发育率.     

水牛健康与闭锁优势卵泡中颗粒细胞凋亡的生物学特征

采用组织学苏木精伊红(HE)染色与光镜检查、荧光显微镜检查和DNA电泳技术,检查了水牛健康优势卵泡(HDF)和闭锁优势卵泡(ADF)中颗粒细胞(GCs)凋亡的生物学特征。此外还应用孕酮处理早期的ADF,应用流式细胞术(FCM)方法检查该激素诱发GCs凋亡的情况。HE染色和荧光显微镜检查结果显示,HDF和ADF都含有凋亡的GCs,只是ADF中凋亡的GCs较多。凋亡GCs的HE染色表现细胞体积缩小,染色浓黑,荧光原位检测发现核浓缩。DNA电泳分析表明,在HDF中未发现GCs的DNA降解,而在ADF中因闭锁程度不同而表现不同程度的DNA降解,出现典型的"拖尾"带,但均未出现具有细胞凋亡特征的DNA"Ladder"。FCM检查结果见到早期的ADF存在着DNA的降解,孕酮处理使DNA降解碎片显著增加。上述结果提示,在水牛的HDF中,GCs的凋亡很少,在ADF中GCs的凋亡较多。水牛ADF中GCs的死亡,少量是以凋亡方式发生的,而坏死是主要方式。     

Theca cell-conditioned medium enhances steroidogenesis competence of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) granulosa cells

Theca cells (TCs) play a crucial role in follicular development and atresia. TCs synthesize androgens that act as substrate for granulosa cells (GCs) aromatization to oestrogens needed for follicular growth. However, the effects of TCs in the form of conditioned medium on steroidogenesis in buffalo GCs remain unclear. In the present study, the impacts of TC-conditioned medium (TCCM) on oestrogen synthesis in buffalo GCs were examined. The results showed that TCs secreted principally testosterone, but almost no androstenedione or oestradiol into TCCM. TCs at passage 3 had a stronger secretion capacity of testosterone in TCCM. Furthermore, TCCM collected at 72 hr improved both the expression levels of oestrogen synthesis-related genes (CYP11A1, CYP19A1, 3β-HSD and 17β-HSD) and the secretion levels of estradiol in GCs. The treatment of 72 hr in TCCM promoted both the expression levels of oestrogen synthesis-related genes (CYP11A1, CYP19A1 and 3β-HSD) and the secretion levels of estradiol in GCs. Besides, TCCM that was collected at 72 hr and applied to GCs for 72 hr (72 & 72 hr) improved the sensitivity of buffalo GCs to FSH. This study indicates that TCCM (72 & 72 hr) enhances the steroidogenesis competence of GCs mainly through facilitating the responsiveness of GCs to FSH in buffalo.     

Theca cell-conditioned medium added to in vitro maturation enhances embryo developmental competence of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) oocytes after parthenogenic activation

Theca cells (TCs) play a key role in follicular growth and atresia. TCs synthesize androgens that act as substrate for granulosa cells (GCs) aromatization to estrogens needed for oocyte maturation. However, the effects of TCs in the form of conditioned medium on in vitro maturation (IVM) and developmental competence of buffalo oocytes remain unclear. In the present study, we examined the impacts of TC-conditioned medium (TCCM) on maturation efficiency and embryo development of buffalo oocytes after parthenogenic activation (PA). Our results showed that TCCM that was collected on day 2 and added to IVM medium at a 20% proportional level (2 days & 20%) exerted no significant effect on IVM rate (43.06% vs. 44.71%), but significantly (p  < .05) enhanced embryo development (oocyte cleavage, 80.93% vs. 69.66%; blastocyst formation, 39.85% vs. 32.84%) of buffalo oocytes after PA compared with the control group. However, monolayer TC significantly (p < .05) promoted both maturation efficiency (48.84% vs. 44.53%) and embryo development (oocyte cleavage, 80.39% vs. 69.32%; blastocyst formation, 35.38% vs. 29.25%) of buffalo oocytes after PA compared to that in the control group. Furthermore, TCs secreted some testosterone into the conditioned medium, which significantly (p < .05) promoted the expression levels of oestrogen synthesis-related genes (CYP11A1, CYP19A1 and 17β-HSD) in buffalo cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs). Our study indicated that TCCM (2 days & 20%) did not significantly affect IVM efficiency, but enhanced embryo developmental competence of oocytes after PA principally by stimulating the secretion of testosterone and facilitating estradiol synthesis of buffalo COCs.     

The impact of bisphenol S on bovine granulosa and theca cells

Bisphenol S (BPS) is an endocrine‐disrupting chemical with multiple potential mechanisms of action, including as an oestrogen receptor agonist. BPS is increasingly used in plastics and thermal receipts as a substitute for bisphenol A, which has been phased out due to concerns about human health implications. The ability of BPS to alter female reproductive function in mammals has not been widely studied, despite the importance of normal hormone signalling for female reproduction. The aim of this study was to investigate how BPS (in a wide range of doses, including very low doses) affects granulosa cell and theca cell steroid hormone production and cell viability in the bovine. Granulosa cell oestradiol production was stimulated when cells were exposed to 100 μM BPS under basal conditions, but there was no effect of BPS when cells were stimulated with follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH). Additionally, there was no effect of BPS on granulosa cell progesterone production or cell viability under basal or FSH‐stimulated conditions. BPS did not affect theca cell androstenedione or progesterone production, or theca cell viability under basal or luteinizing hormone‐stimulated conditions. This study suggests for the first time that BPS may alter oestradiol production by bovine granulosa cells, albeit at a concentration that is unlikely to be physiologically relevant. Further studies are needed to determine the effects of BPS on the bovine oocyte and on other functions of follicular cells.     

Co-culture model reveals the characteristics of theca cells and the effect of granulosa cells on theca cells at different stages of follicular development

Theca cells (TCs) play an important role in follicular development, which cannot be separated from granulosa cells (GCs). However, compared with mammals, the TCs and the effects of GCs on TCs at different follicular development stages (FDSs) have specific characteristics in avian species, but none of them have been clearly defined. In this study, we established an in vitro co-culture (with GC at the corresponding stage) model of goose TCs at different FDSs (pre-hierarchical, hierarchical and F1) by using a transwell system. The properties of TCs in co-culture at the three FDSs, including cell morphology, activity and intracellular lipid content, as well as the expression of key genes involved in de novo lipogenesis, steroidogenesis, proliferation and apoptosis, were examined and defined. We further compared the mono-culture and co-culture groups. After co-culture, the activity of TCs showed significant (p < .01) increases in all stages; moreover, in pre-hierarchical TCs, the expression levels of FAS, SREBP, 3β-HSD and CCND1 were promoted, and PPARγ, CYP19, BCL2 and CAS3 were inhibited (p < .05); in the hierarchical TCs, the expression levels of PPARγ, FAS, CYP19, CCND1 and BCL2 were promoted, and SREBP, STAR, 3β-HSD and CAS3 were inhibited (p < .05), whereas in the F1 TCs, the expression levels of PPARγ, FAS, 3β-HSD, CYP19 and CCND1 were promoted, and STAR and CAS3 were inhibited (p < .05). These results suggested that GCs at the three FDSs have dynamic and complex influences on the physiological characteristics of TCs, and the influences on TCs at the three FDSs were varied.     

Wingless-type mouse mammary tumor virus integration site regulation of bovine theca cells

Ovarian paracrine mediation by components of the wingless-type mouse mammary tumor virus integration site ligands (WNT1 to 11) and their receptors, frizzled family members (FZD1 to 10), has been proposed. Secreted truncated forms of FZD proteins (e.g., secreted frizzled-related protein 4 [SFRP4]) block the action of WNT ligands. Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) is another WNT antagonist, and R-spondin-1 (RSPO1) is one of a group of four secreted proteins that enhance WNT/β-catenin signaling. Our hypothesis was that granulosa cells signal theca cells (TCs) via SFRP4, DKK1, RSPO1, and WNT secretion to regulate TC differentiation and proliferation. Therefore, in vitro experiments were conducted to study the effects of WNT family member 3A (WNT3A), WNT5A, RSPO1, DKK1, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7), Indian hedgehog (IHH), and fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) on bovine TC proliferation and steroidogenesis. TCs of large (8 to 20 mm) and small (3 to 6 mm) follicles were collected from bovine ovaries; TC monolayers were established in vitro and treated with various doses of recombinant human WNT3A, WNT5A, RSPO1, DKK1, IGF1, FGF9, BMP7, IHH, and/or ovine luteinizing hormone (LH) in serum-free medium for 48 h. In experiment 1, using LH-treated TC, IGF1, IHH, and WNT3A increased (P < 0.05) cell numbers and androstenedione production, whereas WNT3A and BMP7 inhibited (P < 0.05) progesterone production. In experiment 2, FGF9 blocked (P < 0.05) the WNT3A-induced increase in androstenedione production in LH plus IGF1-treated TC. In experiment 3, RSPO1 further increased (P < 0.05) LH plus IGF1-induced progesterone and androstenedione production. In experiment 4, SFRP4 and DKK1 alone had no significant effect on TC proliferation or progesterone production of large-follicle TC but both blocked the inhibitory effect of WNT5A on androstenedione production. In contrast, DKK1 alone inhibited (P < 0.05) small-follicle TC androstenedione production whereas SFRP4 was without effect. We conclude that the ovarian TC WNT system is functional in cattle, with WNT3A increasing proliferation and androstenedione production of TC.     

Gossypol inhibits LH‐induced steroidogenesis in bovine theca cells

Gossypol, a polyphenolic aldehyde found in cottonseed, has been shown to perturb steroidogenesis in granulosa and luteal cells of rats, pigs and cattle. However, little is known about the direct effect of gossypol on theca cell functions in any species. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of gossypol on the steroidogenesis and the expression of genes involved in it in cultured bovine theca cells. Theca cells were isolated from healthy preovulatory follicles and were cultured in the presence of luteinizing hormone (LH) for up to 7 days. During the culture period, main steroid products of the theca cells shifted from androstenedione (A4) at day 1 to progesterone (P4) from day 2 onward. At days 1 and 7, theca cells were treated with gossypol (0‐25 μg/mL) for 24 h. Gossypol inhibited LH‐stimulated theca cell A4 and P4 production in a dose‐dependent manner at both occasions. The viability of theca cells was not affected by gossypol at any doses used. Gossypol down‐regulated expressions of steroidogenic enzymes CYP11A1, HSD3B1 and CYP17A1, but not that of LHR. These results indicate that gossypol inhibits thecal steroidogenesis through down‐regulating gene expressions of steroidogenic enzymes but without affecting cell viability in cattle.     

磷酸二酯酶抑制剂对水牛卵母细胞减数分裂成熟的影响

本研究探讨了磷酸二酯酶抑制剂米力农(milrinone)对水牛卵母细胞体外自发成熟和促性腺激素诱导成熟的影响,以便提高卵母细胞体外成熟质量。试验对水牛卵丘卵母细胞复合体(COCs)培养不同时间或采取不同处理后,取出卵母细胞剥光后固定,然后用间苯二酚蓝染色,观察卵母细胞核成熟情况。结果表明:(1)Milrinone对水牛COCs的自发成熟具有抑制作用,且具有剂量依赖关系;(2)Milrinone对水牛卵母细胞体外自发成熟的抑制作用随培养时间的延长没有减弱,可作为水牛卵母细胞成熟过程中的核成熟抑制剂;(3)Milrinone能显著抑制促卵泡激素(FSH)诱导的水牛COCs体外成熟,但是随着时间的延长,这种抑制作用可以部分被FSH克服。