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。     

Bisphenol A attenuates thyroxine‐induced apoptosis in ovarian granulosa cells of pigs

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical of high production volume that is used widely in many industries and is known as a xenooestrogen and anti‐thyroid hormone endocrine disrupter. There is little information regarding the effects of BPA in the presence of thyroid hormone on porcine granulosa cell development. Thus, the primary granulosa cells were treated with thyroxine (T4, 10 nM), BPA (10 µM) or T4 plus BPA; we subsequently evaluated the effects of T4 or BPA on 17β‐estradiol synthesis, cellular proliferation and apoptosis. Our data showed that BPA significantly increased the accumulation of 17β‐estradiol and promoted granulosa cell proliferation, whereas T4 significantly decreased 17β‐estradiol and had no effect on cellular proliferation. In addition, it was noteworthy that T4 treatment induced apoptosis in porcine granulosa cells and BPA co‐incubation attenuated T4‐induced apoptosis as shown from flow cytometric assay analysis. We hypothesized that BPA attenuates T4‐induced apoptosis by regulating 17β‐estradiol accumulation and oestrogen receptor‐mediated signalling pathways. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that T4 affected 17β‐estradiol accumulation and induced cellular apoptosis, but did not affect granulosa cell proliferation. Exposure to BPA increased 17β‐estradiol accumulation, promoted granulosa cell proliferation and attenuated T4‐induced apoptosis in porcine granulosa cells in vitro.     

miR-18a通过靶向结合CTGF调控猪颗粒细胞凋亡

为探究miR-18a对猪卵巢颗粒细胞凋亡的调控作用,利用生物信息学分析、荧光素酶活性检测和体外培养颗粒细胞试验验证miR-18a对CTGF的靶向作用及其在猪颗粒细胞中对CTGF基因表达的影响,并通过流式细胞技术检测其对猪卵巢颗粒细胞凋亡的调控作用。生物信息学分析结果表明,CTGF是miR-18a的潜在靶基因,荧光素酶活性检测进一步验证了miR-18a与CTGF的结合。在培养的颗粒细胞中转染miR-18a模拟物后,qRT-PCR和Western blot结果显示CTGF的mRNA和蛋白水平均显著降低,流式细胞技术检测表明miR-18a显著促进颗粒细胞的凋亡。而转染miR-18a抑制剂后,猪颗粒细胞的凋亡率显著降低,共转染miR-18a抑制剂和CTGF的干扰RNA后,颗粒细胞的凋亡率呈现回升。试验结果表明miR-18a通过靶向结合CTGF基因调控猪颗粒细胞的凋亡。     

T-2毒素对大鼠离体培养卵巢颗粒细胞凋亡的影响

将未成熟的Wistar大鼠卵巢颗粒细胞进行原代培养,用不同浓度的T-2毒素染毒细胞24 h.染毒结束后,采用MTT法检测细胞相对活力,荧光染料Hoechst 33258检测卵巢颗粒细胞的凋亡变化,RT-PCR检测凋亡调控基因Bcl-2、Bax和P53 mRNA的表达.结果显示,随着T-2毒素染毒剂量的增加,颗粒细胞的细胞活力逐渐下降;而细胞凋亡率、Bcb2、Bax、P53 mRNA表达水平、Bax mRNA/Bcl-2 mRNA比值则逐渐上升;除1 nmol/L剂量组外,其余各剂量组与对照组比较差异显著(P＜0.05).结果表明,T-2毒素可显著抑制大鼠卵巢颗粒细胞活力,诱导颗粒细胞凋亡,并呈浓度依赖关系.     

AQP8 participates in oestrogen-mediated buffalo follicular development by regulating apoptosis of granulosa cells

Aquaporins (AQPs), a family of small membrane-spanning proteins, are involved in fluid transport, cell signalling and reproduction. Regulating AQP8 expression influences apoptosis of granulosa cells (GCs), ovarian folliculogenesis, oogenesis and early embryonic development in mice, but its role has never been investigated in other species. The aim of the present study was to characterize the AQP8 function in buffalo follicular development. The expression pattern of AQP8 in buffalo follicle was analysed by immunohistochemistry method. 17β-Estradiol (E2) or oestrogen receptor antagonist ICI182780 was used to treat GCs cultured in vitro, and the expression of AQP8 was detected using qRT-PCR. Its roles in apoptosis of buffalo GCs were investigated by shRNA technology. AQP8 was found to be expressed higher in secondary follicles (p < .05), and its mRNA level in GCs was upregulated by E2 via receptor-mediated mechanism in a dose-dependent manner. A 732-bp buffalo AQP8 coding region was obtained, which was highly conserved at the amino acid level among different species. AQP8-shRNA2 had more effective inhibition on target gene than AQP8-shRNA1 (66.49% vs. 58.31%) (p < .05). Knockdown of AQP8 induced GCs arrested at G2/M stage and occurred apoptosis. Compared with the control group, higher Caspase9 expression were observed in AQP8-shRNA2 lentivirus infected GCs (p < .05), while Bcl-2 and Bax expression levels had no obvious change (p > .05). Altogether, the above results indicate that AQP8 is involved in oestrogen-mediated regulation of buffalo follicular development by regulating cell cycle progression and apoptosis of GCs.     

Involvement of the Fas and Fas ligand in testicular germ cell apoptosis by zearalenone in rat

Zearalenone (ZEA), a nonsteroidal estrogenic mycotoxin, is known to cause testicular toxicity in animals. In the present study, the effects of ZEA on spermatogenesis and possible mechanisms involved in germ cell injury were examined in rats. Ten-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with 5 mg/kg i.p. of ZEA and euthanized 3, 6, 12, 24 or 48 h after treatment. Histopathologically, spermatogonia and spermatocytes were found to be affected selectively. They were TUNEL-positive and found to be primarily in spermatogenic stages I-VI tubules from 6 h after dosing, increasing gradually until 12 h and then gradually decreasing. Western blot analysis revealed an increase in Fas and Fas ligand (Fas-L) protein levels in the ZEA-treated rats. However, the estrogen receptor (ER)α expression was not changed during the study. Collectively, our data suggest that acute exposure of ZEA induces apoptosis in germ cells of male rats and that this toxicity of ZEA is partially mediated through modulation of Fas and Fas-L systems, though ERα may not play a significant role.     

Follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone regulate the synthesis mechanism of dihydrotestosterone in sheep granulosa cells

Steroid hormones and receptors play important roles in female reproduction, and their expression patterns affect follicular growth and development. To examine the expression of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) synthases (5α-reductases (5α-red1 and 5α-red2)) and androgen receptor (AR) during follicular development, and the regulation of DHT signalling by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), we have used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting to examine DHT synthesis in small (≤2 mm), medium (2–5 mm) and large (≥5 mm) sheep follicles. Expression of 5α-red1, 5α-red2 and AR was observed in ovine ovaries, and with the development of follicles, the expressions of 5α-red1 and 5α-red2 mRNA and protein increased, but the levels of AR mRNA, protein and DHT level decreased. In addition, granulosa cells were treated with FSH (0.01, 0.1 and 1 international unit (IU)/ml), LH (0.01, 0.1 and 1 IU/ml) and testosterone (T, 10^–7 M) to evaluate the effects of FSH and LH on DHT and oestradiol (E2) synthesis and 5α-red1, 5α-red2 and AR expression. We found that FSH and LH upregulated 5α-red1 and 5α-red2 in sheep granulosa cells, but downregulated the concentration of DHT and expression of AR. Meanwhile, FSH and LH significantly upregulated the expression of aromatase (P450arom) and secretion of E2. This result indicates that although FSH and LH promote the expression of 5α-red1 and 5α-red2, T is not transformed into DHT, but E2. This study reveals the reason why DHT concentration is downregulated in large follicles and lays a foundation for further exploring the synthesis mechanism of DHT during follicular development.     

miR-1307在猪卵巢颗粒细胞周期中的作用

为了解猪miR-1307序列和结构特征,阐明其在猪卵巢颗粒细胞周期中的作用,利用生物信息学方法分析猪miR-1307的序列特征、染色体定位和潜在的生物学功能;在体外培养的猪卵巢颗粒细胞中转染miR-1307模拟物(mimics)和抑制剂(inhibitor),利用流式细胞术检测细胞周期。结果显示:猪miR-1307前体序列长度为80 bp,其核苷酸序列(包括成熟序列和种子序列)和基因组定位等与哺乳动物其他物种高度一致;功能富集分析发现miR-1307靶基因富集在rRNA分解代谢进程和蛋白酪氨酸磷酸酶活性等多个重要的生物学进程和分子功能中;在猪卵巢颗粒细胞中,过表达miR-1307可使G0/G1期细胞比例增加,S期细胞比例显著降低(P<0.05);抑制miR-1307可使G0/G1期细胞比例降低,S期细胞比例显著增加(P<0.05)。结果表明:miR-1307是猪卵巢颗粒细胞周期的重要调节因子。     

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。     

Periplaneta americana peptide decreases apoptosis of pig-ovary granulosa cells induced by H2O2 through FoxO1

Oxidative stress can induce apoptosis of granulosa cells and lead to follicular atresia, thereby reducing the number of pigs giving birth. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of Periplaneta americana peptide (PAP) on the apoptosis of the granulosa cells of pig ovaries (PGCs) induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) via FoxO1. PGCs were treated with H₂O₂ to establish a cell apoptosis model. Cell viability was measured using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, and cell apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry. The malondialdehyde (MDA) level and nitric oxide (NO) content were detected to reflect the oxidative stress. Western blotting, qRT-PCR and overexpression were undertaken to determine the expression of FoxO1 and caspase-3, and immunofluorescence was used to detect FoxO1 in the nucleus and cytoplasm. PGCs were treated with 100 μM H₂O₂ for 6 hr, which resulted in oxidative damage and apoptosis and an apoptosis rate for PGCs of 32.95%. Next, PGCs were treated with 400 μg/ml PAP for 24 hr to repair the apoptosis induced by H₂O₂. PAP improved cell viability in H₂O₂-stimulated PGCs, the increased MDA level and NO content caused by H₂O₂ stimulation were reversed and the apoptotic rate of PGCs was reduced. The qRT-PCR and Western blotting results indicated that PAP decreased the H₂O₂-induced apoptosis and the expression of FoxO1 and caspase-3 in PGCs. The effect of PAP was the same following FoxO1 overexpression. FoxO1 was expressed in the nucleus when stimulated by H₂O₂ or overexpression; however, it migrated to the cytoplasm following PAP treatment. PAP decreased the apoptosis of PGCs induced by H₂O₂ by regulating FoxO1 expression and nuclear translocation.     

Standing hand‐assisted laparoscopic removal of large granulosa cell tumours in horses using a specimen retrieval bag and morcellator

This report describes a method for removal of large granulosa cell tumours through small paralumbar incisions using laparoscopic dissection of the mesovarium and subsequent removal of the ovary in a sterile retrieval bag via morcellation. Morcellation allows division of the granulosa cell tumour and subsequent reduction of incision size required for removal. The use of a specimen retrieval bag prevented contamination of the abdomen and incision with tumour cells during activation of the morcellator.     

Effect of melatonin on regulation of apoptosis and steroidogenesis in cultured buffalo granulosa cells

This study was aimed to address melatonin receptor expression, mRNA level of hypothalamus and hypophysis hormone receptors (GnRHR, FSHR, and LHR), steroidogenesis, cell cycle, apoptosis, and their regulatory factors after addition of melatonin for 24 hr in cultured buffalo granulosa cells (GCs). The results revealed that direct addition of different concentrations of melatonin (100 pM, 1 nM, and 100 nM) resulted in significant upregulation (p < 0.05) of mRNA level of melatonin receptor 1a (MT1) without affecting melatonin receptor 1b (MT2). Melatonin treatment significantly downregulated (p < 0.05) mRNA level of FSH and GnRH receptors, whereas 100 nM dose of melatonin significantly increased mRNA level of LH receptor. Treatment with 100 nM of melatonin significantly decreased the basal progesterone production with significant decrease (p < 0.05) in mRNA levels of StAR and p450ssc, and lower mRNA level of genes (Insig1, Lipe, and Scrab1) that affect cholesterol availability. Melatonin supplementation suppressed apoptosis (100 nM, p < 0.05) and enhanced G2/M phase (1 nM, 100 nM, p < 0.05) of cell cycle progression which was further corroborated by decrease in protein expression of caspase‐3, p21, and p27 and increase in bcl2. Our results demonstrate that melatonin regulates gonadotrophin receptors and ovarian steroidogenesis through MT1. Furthermore, the notion of its incorporation in apoptosis and proliferation of buffalo GCs extends its role in buffalo ovaries.     

Changes of serum anti‐Müllerian hormone in a mare with granulosa cell tumour following surgery and reinitiation of follicular activity

Anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) has been reported to be elevated in mares with granulosa cell tumour (GCT). An 8‐year‐old Thoroughbred mare was presented for not being observed in oestrus after the beginning of the breeding season. Rectal palpation and ultrasonography revealed enlargement and cystic appearance of the left ovary while the right ovary was small with an anoestrous‐like appearance. The AMH concentration was 694.9 ng/ml. Presumptively diagnosed with GCT, the mare was subjected to tumour removal. Histopathology confirmed GCT. To evaluate changes of AMH concentration following surgery, blood samples were collected immediately prior to surgery, and on Days 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 after surgery. Thereafter, blood samples were collected monthly and also at the time the mare was observed in oestrus (148 days after tumour removal). The AMH concentrations decreased over the first 2 months after surgery (from 721.2 ng/ml to 0.1 ng/ml). Subsequently, AMH concentration increased and peaked at the time of oestrus expression (0.7 ng/ml). The mare then became anoestrous, and AMH concentration decreased and reached 0.2 ng/ml, which was not significantly different from the mean concentration of AMH in normal anoestrous mares (n = 5; 0.26 ± 0.07 ng/ml). In conclusion, the present report implies the potential use of AMH for determination of the time of follicular resumption in mares after GCT removal.     

过氧化氢诱导BRL细胞凋亡损伤模型的建立

动物冷应激过程中肝脏因发生氧化应激而受损。本试验采用过氧化氢(H2O2)诱导buffalo大鼠肝细胞(BRL)凋亡,建立体外氧化应激的凋亡损伤模型,为深入研究冷应激对肝脏损伤的机理奠定基础。试验采用不同浓度H2O2刺激BRL细胞2h,运用WST-1法检测细胞生长活力、Annexin-V/FITC-PI双染技术检测细胞凋亡率及Western blot方法检测Caspase-3的表达量来筛选BRL细胞凋亡的H2O2作用浓度。结果显示,与空白对照组相比,150μmol/L H2O2作用后,细胞增殖率明显下降,Caspase-3的蛋白表达量增加,流式细胞仪检测的凋亡率升高,同时细胞坏死较其他H2O2处理组低。结果表明,150μmol/L H2O2作用BRL细胞2h可模拟氧化应激造成的凋亡损伤。     

miRNA调控动物卵泡发育研究进展

雌性动物的繁殖潜力基于卵泡的发育,该过程受到复杂的基因网络调控。microRNA （miRNA）是一种短的、非编码RNA,在转录后调控基因表达。在过去的十年中,对动物卵泡中非编码RNA的深入研究揭示了miRNA在卵泡发育过程中的关键作用。作者简述了雌性动物卵泡发育过程,总结了miRNA调控卵泡发育的作用机制,包括原始卵泡的激活、生长卵泡的发育选择、卵泡颗粒细胞和卵泡膜细胞的生长调控等,分析了卵泡液外囊泡携带miRNA的功能。但当前卵泡miRNA的研究多集中在细胞敲低模型研究,敲除模型研究较少,因此增加细胞及活体敲除模型的研究有助于更好地了解miRNA在卵泡发育中的功能。本综述可为深入解析雌性动物繁殖性状调控的分子机制提供参考。     

抗氧化酶在硝基苯中毒小鼠睾丸细胞凋亡中的作用

将10周龄雄性昆明小鼠随机分为硝基苯染毒组（26mg／kg、52mg／kg、105mg／kg）、花生油溶剂对照组、生理盐水对照组。对各组试验小鼠进行处理后，于第30d检测小鼠血清和睾丸中SOD、GSH-Px、CAT的活性及MDA含量，并通过DNA Ladder条带和透射电镜检测睾丸细胞的凋亡。结果，染毒组血清及睾丸中SOD、GSH—Px、CAT的活性显著或极显著（P〈0.01或P〈0．05）低于溶剂对照组，MDA含量显著或极显著（P〈0．01或P〈0，05）高于溶剂对照组，染毒组均显示DNA Ladder条带；电镜下细胞核皱缩，异染色质边聚，呈现典型凋亡现象。结果表明，硝基苯中毒能够诱使睾丸发生氧化应激，进而导致睾丸细胞发生凋亡，抗氧化酶在睾丸细胞凋亡中具有一定的作用。     

Effect of ammonia‐generating diet on ovine serum and follicular fluid ammonia and urea levels,serum oestrogen and progesterone concentrations and granulosa cell functions

This study was undertaken to elucidate the effect of ammonia‐generating diet on serum and follicular fluid ammonia and urea levels, serum oestrogen and progesterone concentrations and granulosa cell growth and secretion parameters in ewes (Ovis aries). Ewes were fed with 14% CP diet (control) or ammonia‐generating diet or ammonia‐generating diet plus soluble sugar. The serum and follicular fluid ammonia and urea level, serum oestrogen and progesterone levels and granulosa cell (obtained from ovaries of slaughtered ewes) growth parameters and secretory activities were estimated. Ammonia‐generating diet (high‐protein diet) increased the serum ammonia and urea concentration. Supplementation of soluble sugar significantly reduced the ammonia concentration in serum with comparable levels as in control group; however, the urea level in the same group was higher than that observed in control group. Supplementation of soluble sugar significantly reduced the follicular fluid ammonia concentration; however, the level was significantly higher compared to control group. Supplementation of soluble sugar brought down the follicular fluid urea level comparable to that observed in control group. Oestrogen and progesterone levels remained unchanged in ewes fed with different types of diet. Oestrogen and progesterone secretion were significantly lowered from granulosa cells recovered from ewes fed with high ammonia‐generating diet. Low metabolic activity and high incidence of apoptosis were observed in granulosa cells obtained from ovaries of ewes fed with ammonia‐generating diet.     

Effect of lactoferrin on murine sperm apoptosis induced by intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide

Genital bacterial infection is one of the most important causes of infertility, however, bacteria frequently exist in seminal fluid. Sperm express Toll-like receptors (TLRs) on their cell surfaces and bacterial recognition by TLRs induces sperm apoptosis. In this study, we examined the lactoferrin (LF) potentiality on sperm apoptosis induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay indicated that TUNEL-positive sperm cells were scarce in the group treated with LF and LPS (LF/LPS group) compared to the group treated with LPS only (LPS group). In addition, real-time RT-PCR detected lower mRNA expression levels of apoptosis-associated genes in the LF/LPS group compared to the LPS group. These results indicate that LF treatment of semen might decrease LPS-induced apoptosis of sperm.     

Evaluation of circulating PD-1 and PD-L1 as diagnostic biomarkers in dogs with tumors

BackgroundProgrammed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) and programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) have important roles in tumor evasion of the immune system.ObjectivesThis study aimed to assess the diagnostic utility of circulating PD-1 and PD-L1 levels in healthy dogs and dogs with tumors.MethodsCirculating PD-1 and PD-L1 levels in the serum of 71 dogs with tumors were compared with those of 52 healthy dogs by performing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).ResultsThe ELISA results revealed higher circulating PD-1 and PD-L1 levels in dogs with tumors (2.9 [2.2–3.7] ng/mL; median [IQR] and 2.4 [1.4–4.4] ng/mL, respectively) than in healthy dogs (2.4 [1.9–3.0] ng/mL; p = 0.012 and 1.4 [0.9–2.1] ng/mL; p < 0.001, respectively). Especially, there was a significant difference in circulating PD-1 levels between healthy dogs and dogs with malignant epithelial tumors (2.4 [1.9–3.0] ng/mL and 3.1 [2.6–4.4] ng/mL, respectively; p < 0.01). In addition, there was a significant difference in circulating PD-L1 levels between healthy dogs and dogs with lymphomas (1.4 [0.9–2.1] ng/mL and 2.7 [1.6–5.8] ng/mL, respectively; p < 0.001).ConclusionThis study indicates that circulating PD-1 and PD-L1 have potential as tumor diagnostic biomarkers in dogs with tumors.