Expression of Connexin 43 in the Porcine Foetal Gonads During Development

This study was designed to reveal connexin 43 (Cx43) mRNA and protein expression in porcine foetal gonads using RT‐PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. Expression of Cx43 was investigated in porcine foetal ovaries and testes on days 50, 70 and 90 post coitum (p.c.). RT‐PCR results indicated that Cx43 mRNA was expressed in both foetal ovaries and testes at all gestational ages examined. Cx43 protein was found in the foetal ovary but its distribution varied across ovarian compartments and changed during development. In foetal ovaries, Cx43 was localized between the interstitial cells surrounding egg nests on all investigated days of prenatal period. Moreover, Cx43 expression was observed between germ cells on day 50 p.c. as well as between pre‐granulosa and granulosa cells of primordial and primary follicles on days 70 and 90 p.c. In the foetal testes, Cx43 protein was detected between neighbouring Leydig cells on all examined days of prenatal period and between adjacent Sertoli cells exclusively on day 90 p.c. The presence of Cx43 protein in all investigated foetal gonads was confirmed by Western blot analysis. Cx43 protein detection between pre‐granulosa cells of primordial follicles suggests its role in regulation of the initial stages of follicle development. The Cx43 immunoexpression between neighbouring Leydig and between Sertoli cells indicates its involvement in controlling their functions. We propose that Cx43‐mediated gap junctional communication is involved in the regulation of porcine foetal gonadal development.     

Expression and Hormonal Regulation of Hoxa10 in Canine Uterus During the Peri-implantation Period

Hoxa10, a homeobox gene, is necessary for endometrial receptivity to blastocyst implantation. The aim of this study was to investigate the differential expression of Hoxa10 in canine uterus during early pregnancy and its regulation under different conditions by in situ hybridization. Hoxa10 mRNA was mainly localized in glandular epithelium and myometrium in canine uterus. There was a low level of Hoxa10 expression in the glandular epithelium on days 6, 12 and 17 of pregnancy. On day 20 of pregnancy when embryo implanted, Hoxa10 mRNA was highly expressed in the glandular epithelium surrounding the embryo, but not in the luminal epithelium. The expression of Hoxa10 mRNA gradually declined from day 23 and reached a low level on day 28. In the myometrium, a low level of Hoxa10 mRNA signal was seen on days 6, 12 and 17 of pregnancy and reached a high level on day 20 of pregnancy. During the estrous cycle, a high level of Hoxa10 mRNA expression was seen in the estrous uterus. Either estrogen or progesterone significantly induced the expression of Hoxa10 mRNA in the ovariectomized canine uterus. These results suggest that Hoxa10 expression is closely related to canine embryo implantation and upregulated by estrogen and progesterone.     

超低温冷冻对小鼠桑椹胚多能性因子Oct-4表达的影响

本实验旨在探讨昆明白小鼠桑椹胚超低温冷冻后Oct-4表达的变化与胚胎发育潜力的关系。胚胎采用OPS法冷冻,即胚胎于10%EG+10%DMSO溶液中预处理30 s,然后再移入玻璃化溶液(EDFS30)中处理25 s,以OPS为承载器投入液氮中。毒性组胚胎未投入液氮,其他过程与冷冻组相同,新鲜胚胎为对照组。胚胎解冻后,检测Oct-4 mRNA与蛋白的表达,通过观察其形态正常率、囊胚发育率和囊胚细胞数来综合判断其体外发育能力。结果表明:冷冻组和毒性组较桑椹胚中Oct-4 mRNA的表达量对照组相比显著降低(P<0.05),蛋白表达量3组间无显著差异。桑椹胚处理后的形态正常率以及桑椹胚培养48 h后的囊胚发育率(96.67%～100%)和囊胚细胞数(89.67～92.33)3组间无显著差异。结果显示,玻璃化冷冻保存小鼠桑椹胚后多能性基因Oct-4 mRNA表达的变化并未影响其体外发育潜力。     

利用TALENs技术建立基因定点修饰的猪Oct-4-EGFP细胞系

本研究旨在建立一个用于干细胞示踪的报告体系,将EGFP cDNA及两侧带有LoxP位点的neo抗性基因插入五指山小型猪内源性Oct-4基因的终止密码子处,以Oct-4基因完整的5'调控区启动EGFP的表达,为猪干细胞研究提供有价值的工具。试验定制了针对猪Oct-4终止密码子的TALENs,与打靶载体共转染猪耳成纤维细胞,药物筛选得到抗性克隆点514个,经过PCR鉴定,共获得杂合阳性克隆点36个,打靶效率分别为5.6%和13.0%。本研究成功获得了Oct-4-EGFP转基因细胞系,并证明了TALENs技术可以明显提高同源重组效率。     

一氧化氮合酶在猪早期胚胎发育中表达的初步研究

本研究运用分子生物学手段探究了一氧化氮(NO)在猪早期胚胎发育过程中的表达情况及其相关的规律。应用RT-PCR方法将猪各发育阶段的早期胚胎的内皮型一氧化氮合酶(eNOS)和诱导型一氧化氮合酶(iNOS）进行检测,然后对产物进行半定量分析。结果表明,iNOS在猪早期胚胎发育的整个过程中都有表达,其相对表达量随着胚胎发育进程呈现上升的趋势,在桑葚/囊胚阶段达到最高;eNOS仅仅是在2-细胞期和4-细胞期有表达,其相对表达量在2～4-细胞期间的差异不明显;在猪2～4-细胞胚胎发育过程中,iNOS的相对表达量高于eNOS的相对表达量。结果表明,在猪早期胚胎发育中NO的产量主要由iNOS调节。     

抑肌素基因mRNA在猪肌肉组织表达差异的研究

抑肌素基因(Myostatin，MSTN)是肌肉生长抑制素基因的简称，又称GDF-8(Growth and Differential Factor-8)基因，具有抑制骨骼肌生长的作用，是骨骼肌生长的负调控因子。该基因在动物分子水平定向育种、提高产肉性能上具有极大的应用前景。研究发现，在牛和绵羊的心肌、猪的乳腺及鱼类的多种组织中均发现有其表达。在调节脂肪积累、参与骨折愈合、调节排卵、心脏发育及心肌的组织修复、以及乳腺的发生和泌乳等过程中可能也具有重要作用。     

Sialomucin Complex (Muc4) Expression in Porcine Endometrium During the Oestrous Cycle and Early Pregnancy

The non‐invasive type of implantation in the pig is characterized by the maintenance of a thick glycocalyx coating on the uterine epithelial surface microvilli. Present study investigated the alteration in the sialomucin complex (Muc4) expression during the oestrous cycle and early pregnancy in the pig. Endometrial tissue samples were immunostained with the primary antibody to the Muc4 transmembrane subunit ASGP‐2. Muc4 immunostaining increased in the surface and glandular epithelia between days 5 and 10 of oestrous cycle. Immunostaining continued to increase on day 12 with the greatest intensity of uterine Muc4 immunostaining detected on day 15 of the oestrous cycle and early pregnancy. Endometrial Muc4 expression in cyclic gilts decreased dramatically during early proestrous but continued to remain abundant in the surface and glandular epithelium of pregnant gilts during the period of conceptus attachment to the uterine surface.     

猪TLR4基因在F18大肠杆菌抗性型和敏感型资源群体间的差异表达分析

本研究旨在检测TLR4基因mRNA在猪各个组织的分布以及在F18大肠杆菌抗性型和敏感型群体间差异表达水平,为探讨该基因在免疫识别和F18大肠杆菌抗性中发挥的作用提供理论依据。本试验运用SYBR GreenⅠ实时荧光定量PCR技术进行定量测定。首先,各取8头35日龄F18大肠杆菌抗性型和敏感型苏太仔猪组织样,包括心脏、肝脏、脾脏等11个组织,提取总RNA,以GAPDH基因为内参基因,进行实时荧光定量PCR。对TLR4基因mR-NA进行均一化处理,利用荧光阈值(Ct值)计算TLR4基因mRNA在各个组织以及F18大肠杆菌抗性型和敏感型群体间表达量。结果显示,TLR4 mRNA在猪各种组织中广泛表达,在肺、淋巴结、肾脏和脾脏等免疫器官中表达量较高,F18大肠杆菌敏感型的TLR4基因表达量普遍高于抗性型个体的表达量,在各个组织中(除胃外)TLR4表达量差异倍数从1.083到2.980不等;在肺、淋巴结、肾脏和胸腺组织中,F18大肠杆菌敏感型的TLR4基因表达量显著高于抗性型个体的表达量(P<0.05)。本研究结果表明,TLR4基因通过天然免疫识别机制对猪F18大肠杆菌病等革兰氏阴性疾病有一定的影响,TLR4基因表达量...     

运输环节中对猪的四种疫病抗体测定

青海省民和县公路动物防疫监督检查站位于青海省东大门,与甘肃省红古区相交接,在109国道以及兰青高速公路入口(民和段)执行公路动物防疫监督检查工作。据统计,自2005年起,平均每年从外地运输经过     

卵泡FSH受体mRNA的表达及其对卵母细胞体外培养成熟率的影响

本研究采用RT-PCR技术检测了猪大、中、小卵泡颗粒细胞中FSH受体(FSHR)mRNA的表达差异,比较和分析了受体表达差异及其对卵母细胞体外成熟培养的影响。结果表明大、中、小卵泡中颗粒细胞都有FSHR mRNA表达,大卵泡的颗粒细胞与小、中卵泡的颗粒细胞FSHR mRNA相对表达量有显著差异(P<0.05),中、小卵泡的颗粒细胞FSHR mRNA相对表达量之间无显著差异(P>0.05)。不同大小卵泡卵母细胞体外成熟培养结果表明,小卵泡与大、中卵泡比较,卵丘细胞扩展率和第一极体排出率差异显著(P<0.05)。这表明猪不同大小卵泡颗粒细胞FSHR mRNA的表达量与其卵母细胞体外培养成熟率呈相关性,进一步证实FSHR在猪卵泡及卵母细胞发育中起着重要作用。     

Expression of Perilipin 2 (PLIN2) in Porcine Oocytes During Maturation

Perilipins have been reported to limit the interaction of lipases with neutral lipids within the droplets, thereby regulating neutral lipid accumulation and utilization. This study aimed to identify the location and expression of PLIN1 and PLIN2 in porcine oocytes during maturation. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR), immunostaining and Western blot methods were used to characterize the expression and distribution patterns of PLIN1 and PLIN2 in porcine oocytes. The results showed that PLIN1 was not detectable in porcine oocytes. PLIN2 and BODIPY 493/503‐detected neutral lipid droplets appeared identical distribution patterns and extensive colocalization in both GV and MII porcine oocytes. PLIN2 protein expression was higher in GV oocytes than that in MII oocytes (p < 0.05), although PLIN2 mRNA expression was similar in both groups. These findings suggested that PLIN2 was a major lipid droplet‐associated protein in porcine oocytes.     

Melatonin Supplementation During In Vitro Maturation and Development Supports the Development of Porcine Embryos

Melatonin has been reported to improve the in vitro development of embryos in some species. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of melatonin supplementation during in vitro maturation (IVM) and development culture on the development and quality of porcine embryos. In the first experiment, when the in vitro fertilized embryos were cultured with different concentrations of melatonin (0, 10, 25 and 50 ng/ml) for 8 days, the blastocyst formation rate of embryos cultured with 25 ng/ml melatonin (10.7%) was significantly increased (p < 0.05) compared to the control embryos cultured without melatonin (4.2%). The proportion of DNA‐fragmented nuclei in blastocysts derived from embryos cultured with 50 ng/ml melatonin was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that of embryos cultured without melatonin (2.1% vs 7.2%). In the second experiment, when oocytes were cultured in the maturation medium supplemented with different concentrations of melatonin (0, 10, 25 and 50 ng/ml), fertilized and then cultured with 25 ng/ml melatonin for 8 days, there were no significant differences in the rates of cleavage and blastocyst formation among the groups. However, the proportions (2.7–5.4%) of DNA‐fragmented nuclei in blastocysts derived from oocytes matured with melatonin were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) compared to those (8.9%) from oocytes matured without melatonin, irrespective of the concentration of melatonin. Our results suggest that supplementation of the culture media with melatonin (25 ng/ml) during IVM and development has beneficial effects on the developmental competence and quality of porcine embryos.     

Expression of Nupr1 mRNA in Mouse Uterus During Early Pregnancy

The test was aimed to study the expression of nuclear protein 1 (Nupr1) mRNA in mouse uterus during early pregnancy.The method of in situ hybridization was used to investigate Nupr1 mRNA expression in animal models that included early pregnancy,pseudopregnancy,delayed implantation and activation,artificial decidualization and hormonal treatments.The relative expression level of Nupr1 mRNA was detected in early pregnancy and pseudopregnancy using Real-time PCR.During mouse early pregnancy,the signal of Nupr1 mRNA was detected in luminal epithelium and glandular epithelium during the 1st to 4th day and in the decidua area during the 5th to 8th day.Nupr1 mRNA was mainly expressed in the luminal epithelium and glandular epithelium of mose uterus on the 1st to 5th day of pseudopregnancy.The signal was detected in luminal epithelium and glandular epithelium of the mouse uterus in the delayed implantation,which was similar to the results of early pregnancy on the 4th day.The signal was detected in decidua in the model of delayed activation,which was similar to the results of early pregnancy on the 5th day.The expression of Nupr1 mRNA in the model of artificial decidualization was detected in decidua area.In the control of artificial decidualization the slight signal appeared in luminal epithelium and glandular epithelium of the mouse uterus.After treated with oestrogen (E₂) the signal appeared in luminal epithelium and glandular epithelium of the mouse uterus,and the signal was enhanced.After treated with both of E₂ and progesterone (P₄), the expression of the signal was not changed significantly.Real-time PCR result showed that the relative expression on the 2nd day was higher than other days in early pregnancy and pseudopregnancy.The results indicated that the expression of Nupr1 mRNA in mouse uterus was related to the process of mouse early pregnancy.The expression of signal in luminal epithelium and glandular epithelium of the mouse uterus might be regulated by hormones.Nupr1 mRNA expression in uterine stroma was associated with decidualization and active blastocysts.     

Expression of Adiponectin and its Receptors in the Porcine Hypothalamus During the Oestrous Cycle

Adiponectin is a hormonal link between obesity and reproduction, and its actions are mediated by two types of receptors: adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR1) and adiponectin receptor 2 (AdipoR2). This study compares the expression levels of adiponectin and adiponectin receptor mRNAs and proteins in selected areas of the porcine hypothalamus responsible for GnRH production and secretion: the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH), pre‐optic area (POA) and stalk median eminence (SME). The tissue samples were harvested on days 2–3, 10–12, 14–16 and 17–19 of the oestrous cycle. Adiponectin mRNA expression in MBH was significantly lower on days 14–16, whereas in SME, the most pronounced gene expression was found on days 2–3 of the cycle (p < 0.05). Adiponectin protein in MBH was most abundant on days 17–19 and in POA on days 2–3 (p < 0.05). Adiponectin protein expression in SME was at similar level throughout the most of the cycle with a statistically significant drop (p < 0.05) on days 14–16. AdipoR1 gene expression in POA was potentiated on days 2–3 and 10–12 of the oestrous cycle (p < 0.05). In SME, the highest AdipoR1 mRNA expression was noted on days 2–3 (p < 0.05). The concentrations of the AdipoR1 protein in POA were similar throughout the luteal phase (days 2–14 of the cycle), and they decreased on days 17–19 (p < 0.05). In SME, AdipoR1 protein expression peak occurred on days 2–3 (p < 0.05). The expression patterns of the AdipoR2 gene in MBH, POA and SME revealed the highest mRNA levels on days 2–3 of the cycle (p < 0.05). The highest content of AdipoR2 protein in MBH was reported on days 2–3 (p < 0.05), while in POA on days 17–19 and in SME on days 10–12 and 14–16 (p < 0.05). This study demonstrated that adiponectin and adiponectin receptor mRNAs and proteins are present in the porcine hypothalamus and that their expression levels are determined by the pig's endocrine status related to the oestrous cycle.     

猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒感染猪肺脏组织环腺苷酸磷酸二酯酶的活性及其mRNA表达变化

试验旨在探究在猪繁殖与呼吸综合征病毒(porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus,PRRSV)感染过程中环腺苷酸(cAMP)特异性磷酸二酯酶(PDE)的活性及其mRNA表达量的变化,以期为PDE抑制剂的应用提供相关依据。试验采集PRRSV感染猪肺脏组织,运用高效液相色谱(HPLC)法检测cAMP在PDE反应前后的变化,计算cAMP-PDE活性;通过Real-time PCR检测cAMP-PDE mRNA表达量的变化。结果显示,PRRSV感染猪肺脏组织中cAMP-PDE活性显著高于对照组(P<0.05),在检测的8个PDE亚型中,除PDE4A外,PDE4B、PDE4C、PDE4D、PDE7A、PDE7B、PDE8A、PDE8B mRNA的表达量均高于对照组。结果表明,cAMP-PDE在PRRSV感染引起的猪肺脏部的炎症反应过程中存在异常变化,提示cAMP-PDE特异性抑制剂有望减轻PRRSV感染引起的猪肺脏部炎症损伤。     

猪硒蛋白P基因克隆、鉴定及组织mRNA相对表达量分析

本试验旨在克隆、鉴定猪硒蛋白P基因(Sepp1),并探明其在猪不同组织中的mRNA相对表达量,为以猪为模型研究硒蛋白P(Sel P)的功能奠定基础。根据表达序列标签(EST)序列设计引物,利用c DNA末端快速克隆(3'-RACE)技术从猪肝脏总RNA中扩增出含开放阅读框(ORF)至poly A片段,然后与EST序列进行拼接;采用荧光定量PCR技术考察Sepp1在猪9个组织中的mRNA相对表达量。结果显示:1)扩增出共1 707 bp的片段,测序后与EST拼接获得了2 109 bp的猪Sepp1序列,并提交至NCBI Gen Bank数据库,序列号为EF113596.2;该基因1 170 bp的ORF编码区和对应的氨基酸残基与人相应序列分别有83.72%和75.64%序列同源性,其编码390个氨基酸,含有14个硒代半胱氨酸(Sec)残基,分别位于第59、267、286、309、311、327、339、352、354、361、376、378、385和387位。2)Sepp1 mRNA在猪组织中广泛分布,在肝脏中具有最高分布,依次为甲状腺肾脏睾丸下丘脑脾脏垂体心脏肌肉。本试验成功克隆、鉴定了猪Sepp1,检测了其在猪不同组织中表达分布情况,为其进一步以猪为模型探讨其功能奠定了基础。     

Expression of Genes Associated with Apoptosis in the Porcine Corpus Luteum During the Oestrous Cycle

The corpus luteum (CL) of the pig lacks luteolytic sensitivity (LS) to prostaglandin (PG) F‐2α until after day 12 of the oestrous cycle, but the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are poorly understood. As luteolysis involves apoptosis, we hypothesized that critical apoptotic proteins may be deficient in CLs that lack LS. The specific aim of these studies was to examine mRNA expression and protein levels of apoptosis genes/proteins (BAX/Bax, BCLX/Bcl‐x, CASP3/Caspase‐3, CASP8/Caspase‐8, NFΚB1/NFκB, TP53/p53) in porcine CLs collected at different stages of the oestrous cycle. CLs were collected surgically, mRNA and protein extracted, and expression/levels analyzed by semi‐quantitative (SQ) PCR and Western blots, respectively. At the mRNA expression level, only BAX (maximal on day 4) and TP53 (maximal on day 7) showed significant variations during the oestrous cycle. At the protein level, only Bcl‐x and Caspase‐3 showed significant changes during the cycle; Bcl‐x decreased on day 13 and Caspase‐3 increased on day 13. It is concluded that apoptosis‐associated proteins (i.e. Bcl‐x and Caspase 3) may play a critical role in luteolytic sensitivity in the pig.     

猪集落刺激因子和白细胞介素-4的真核表达及其体外诱导猪树突状细胞的研究

试验旨在建立猪集落刺激因子（granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor,GM-CSF）和白细胞介素-4（interleukin-4,IL-4）的真核表达体系,应用表达的2种细胞因子体外诱导猪树突状细胞并检测其细胞功能。首先构建GM-CSF和IL-4真核表达载体,并在HEK293细胞上进行表达验证;其次应用表达的2种细胞因子诱导猪骨髓源和血液源单核细胞;最后分别采用荧光显微镜、流式细胞术检测猪树突状细胞的表面标志CD1a、SLA-Ⅱ和SWC3a,并进行树突状细胞形态学和免疫学功能鉴定。结果显示,本研究构建的2种真核表达载体在HEK293细胞中成功表达GM-CSF和IL-4。形态学观察发现,细胞因子诱导的单核细胞培养3 d后有聚集现象,6 d时可观察到典型的树突状突起。流式细胞术检测发现,表达的细胞因子可成功诱导猪骨髓源和血液源单核细胞转化为树突状细胞,其SWC3a⁺/SLA-Ⅱ⁺和CD1a⁺/SLA-Ⅱ⁺双阳性比例显著提高,与商品化细胞因子处理组没有区别。细胞吞噬试验发现,表达的细胞因子诱导的树突状细胞为未成熟树突状细胞,具有很强的细胞吞噬能力。本试验成功建立了在真核细胞中表达猪重组蛋白GM-CSF和IL-4的方法,并联合应用2种重组细胞因子体外诱导获得猪骨髓源和血液源单核树突状细胞,为进一步研究猪树突状细胞与各种病原微生物作用奠定基础。     

显微注射针对猪ICSI胚胎的发育和EGFP表达效率的影响

本实验以猪体外成熟卵子以及冷冻解冻后失活的精子为材料,以无BSA且成分明确的TL-HEPES溶液为操作液,探讨显微注射过程中分别使用钝口针和磨口针进行注射,对猪卵子的激活、ICSI胚胎的发育及EGFP表达效率的影响。结果表明:成熟后的猪卵子在不进行精子注射和电激活的情况下,使用钝口针空注射后,卵裂率显著高于磨口针(P<0.05)。分别使用钝口针和磨口针对成熟后的猪卵子进行精子注射,不论进行或不进行电激活,使用钝口针注射,卵子的卵裂率、囊胚率和胚胎EGFP的表达效率均显著高于磨口针(P<0.05)。本实验研究发现,使用钝口针进行注射有利于猪ICSI卵子的激活,胚胎的发育以及胚胎中EGFP表达效率。