The localization and expression of epidermal growth factor and epidermal growth factor receptor in bovine ovary during oestrous cycle

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is one of the important regulatory factors of EGF family. EGF has been indicated to effectively inhibit the apoptosis of follicular cells, to promote the proliferation of granulosa cells and the maturation of oocytes, and to induce ovulation process via binding to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). However, little is known about the distribution and expression of EGF and EGFR in cattle ovary especially during oestrous cycle. In this study, the localization and expression rule of EGF and EGFR in cattle ovaries of follicular phase and luteal phase at different time points in oestrous cycle were investigated by using IHC and real-time qPCR. The results showed that EGF and EGFR in cattle ovary were mainly expressed in granulosa cells, cumulus cells, oocytes, zona pellucida, follicular fluid and theca folliculi externa of follicles. The protein and mRNA expression of EGF/EGFR in follicles changed regularly with the follicular growth wave both in follicular and in luteal phase ovaries. In follicular phase ovaries, the protein expression of EGF and EGFR was higher in antral follicles than that of those in other follicles during follicular growth stage, and the mRNA expression of EGFR was also increased in stage of dominant follicle selection. However, in luteal phase ovaries, the growth of follicles was impeded during corpus luteum development under the action of progesterone secreted by granular lutein cell. The mRNA and protein expressions of EGF and EGFR in ovarian follicles during oestrous cycle indicate that they play a role in promoting follicular development in follicular growth waves and mediating the selection process of dominant follicles.     

牦牛StAR基因克隆及其生物信息学与组织表达特性的研究

旨在克隆获得牦牛StAR基因编码序列（CDS）并进行生物信息学分析,探究其mRNA组织表达特性。本研究以屠宰场采集的成年母牦牛心、肝、脾、肺、肾、卵巢、输卵管、子宫组织（n=5）,不同年龄（胎牛、1岁、2岁）牦牛的卵巢（n=3）,不同发情周期（卵泡期、黄体期）的牦牛卵巢（n=3）,黄体期黄牛的卵巢（n=3）及实验室冻存的牦牛颗粒细胞为研究材料。以牦牛黄体期卵巢cDNA为模板,用逆转录PCR克隆StAR基因,并使用MEGA7.0和ExPASy-ProtParam等软件分析其生物信息学特性;采用实时荧光定量PCR技术分析牦牛StAR基因组织表达特性。结果发现,StAR基因CDS区长858 bp,编码285个氨基酸,StAR蛋白总体带正电荷,属于碱性亲水稳定蛋白,无跨膜结构及信号肽,主要存在于细胞质和线粒体; StAR基因具有较高的保守性,符合物种进化规律。牦牛StAR基因在卵巢表达水平最高（P<0.01）,且2岁时卵巢表达水平极显著高于胎牛和1岁龄（P<0.01）,黄体期卵巢表达水平极显著高于卵泡期（P<0.01）;黄体期黄牛卵巢中StAR基因的表达量极显著高于牦牛（P<0.01）;在颗粒细胞的体外培养过程中StAR基因表达量逐渐上升,在培养24 h时达到高峰（P<0.01）,随后显著降低。综上所述,StAR基因序列较为保守,在牦牛卵巢组织中表达最高,且表达水平随年龄与卵巢周期而变化,提示StAR基因可能参与牦牛卵巢及黄体功能相关的繁殖调控。     

Immunohistochemical expression of HER - 2 and Ki - 67 in granulosa cell tumor in bitches

Granulosa cell tumour, an ovarian neoplasm of stromal origin, is an important tumour related to oestrogenic dominance syndrome and cystic endometrial hyperplasia–pyometra complex. In order to analyse ovarian tumour´s malignant potential, immunohistochemical markers can be used, such as anti-HER2 and anti-Ki-67. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of immunohistochemical markers HER-2 and Ki-67 in granulosa cell tumour from bitches´ ovaries. In HER-2 immunomarker analysis using the HercepTest^® method, most tumours were classified as 2+ (moderate labelling). Concerning Ki-67 immunomarker, only one case was described as having a high proliferative index. An association was found between immunostained cell percentage by anti-HER-2 antibodies and high pleomorphism, represented by the pattern of follicular/trabecular tumour arrangement. There was no correlation between anti-Ki-67 and anti-HER-2 antibody immunostaining intensities, probably due to only one case with a high Ki-67 index. With an effective protocol for HER-2 and Ki-67 immunohistochemical identification in granulosa cell tumours in bitches, it was possible to characterize this neoplasm proliferation profile.     

狼山鸡高、低近交组卵巢组织转录组差异分析

为了探究近交对繁殖效应的影响,本研究以国家级地方鸡种基因库保存的狼山鸡为素材,结合分子标记和系谱信息,组建高、低近交两个试验组,记录高、低近交组的繁殖性能数据。选取高、低近交组中正常个体各3只,采取卵巢组织进行RNA-seq测序,并对差异基因进行功能注释。结果在高、低近交组中共获得差异转录本1 114个,其中783个基因获得注释,307个上调,476个下调。GO和KEGG分析表明,差异基因主要富集在核糖体的生物合成、炎性反应、繁殖、生长、免疫系统过程、代谢过程等生物学过程,Pathway显著富集在叶酸的生物合成、卵母细胞成熟和代谢等生物学通路。功能分析发现,筛选出的差异基因（如GGH、CPEB1、GNMT和PIWIL等）与繁殖功能相关。此外,还包括一些与应激和免疫相关的基因（如APOC3、HSP70、CD38和LGMN等）。研究结果有助于了解狼山鸡繁殖性状近交衰退相关的基因及其调控机制,为家禽特定性状近交衰退分子机理提供参考。     

Cloning of Inhibin-α Gene and its mRNA Expression Pattern in the Ovary of Congjiang Xiang Pig

To reveal the relationship between inhibin-α(INHA) gene and the reproductive traits of Congjiang Xiang pig, INHA gene was cloned and sequenced taking the genomic DNA of Congjiang Xiang pigs as templates by polymerase chain reaction(PCR) method.The polymorphisms of INHA gene were tested in Congjiang Xiang pig populations with high-litter size and low-litter size using allele-specific PCR(AS-PCR) method.The expression profile of INHA gene in ovaries was detected from Congjiang Xiang pigs with high-litter yiled or low-litter yiled by Real-time PCR method.The complete coding region of INHA gene was 1095 bp in length, which coded for 364 amino acid residues.Compared with the known sequence, two candidate sites, G359A and A373G, were found out from exon 2 region of INHA gene in Congjiang Xiang pig.After investigation for the two sites in a large population, the frequency of alleles between two populations was not significant and without obvious relativity with the litter yiled of Congjiang Xiang pig.However, the INHA mRNA level in the ovary of Congjiang Xiang pig with high-litter yiled was higher than that with low-litter yiled.It suggested that INHA gene was much conserved, INHA gene expression level might be concerned for the regulation of ovary growth and follicle development in Congjiang Xiang pig breed.     

A spontaneously occurring malignant ovarian Sertoli cell tumor in a young Sprague Dawley rat

Primary ovarian tumors are generally uncommon in rats used in toxicologic studies. A malignant Sertoli cell tumor was present in the ovary of a 19-week-old female Sprague Dawley rat. Macroscopically, the mass was white and firm, 10 × 13 × 17 mm in size, and located in the right ovary. Histopathologically, the mass was composed of nests of pleomorphic cells, which formed seminiferous-like tubules separated by a thin fibrovascular stroma. The tubules were lined by tumor cells, which had basally located nuclei and abundant eosinophilic and vacuolated cytoplasm. In some areas, the tumor cells were arranged in a retiform growth pattern, mimicking a rete testis/ovarii. Disseminated metastases to the surfaces of the mesentery, spleen and liver were also present. Immunohistochemically, many tumor cells were strongly positive for vimentin, estrogen receptor α and Ki 67. Some tumor cells were positive for pancytokeratin and inhibin α. These findings closely resemble those of an ovarian-derived human malignant Sertoli cell tumor. From our review of the literature, we believe this is the first report of a spontaneous malignant Sertoli cell tumor in the ovary of a young laboratory rat. This case might provide useful historical control information for rat toxicity studies.     

Histomorphological changes between short and long days in ovary guanacos (Lama guanicoe)

This is the first morpho-histological comparison of guanaco ovaries between reproductive (long-days) and non-reproductive (short-days) seasons, and oestrogen receptor-alpha (ERα) and beta (ERβ) detection. Different stages of follicle development were found in the cortical area, but no corpus luteum was detected. The size and frequency of antral follicles and large atretic follicles were higher in long-day ovaries than short-days, consistent with ovarian activity in this season. Differential expression of ERα and ERβ was observed in follicles at different stages of development between short and long days. These data reveal histological and molecular differences between reproductive and non-reproductive seasons of guanaco ovaries.     

Phospholipase A<Subscript>1</Subscript> activity of crude enzyme extracted from the ovaries of skipjack tuna

The phospholipid class composition, fatty acid composition and phospholipase A₁ (PLA₁) activity from the ovaries of skipjack tuna were compared with those of six other species of marine fish. In the skipjack ovaries, the lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) proportion for the phospholipid, the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) percentage for the total fatty acids of the phospholipids and the PLA₁ activity of the crude enzyme were the highest among those of the seven species. The optimum pH and temperature for the PLA₁ activity of the crude enzyme from the skipjack ovaries were in the range of pH 6–7 and 20–30°C, respectively, and calcium ions were not required. As a substrate, phosphatidylcholine was more easily hydrolyzed than phosphatidylethanolamine by this enzyme, and the plasmalogen-type phospholipid was much lower than the acyl-type phospholipid. After a 6-h hydrolysis reaction of the purified phospholipid extracted from the mixed ovaries of skipjack and yellowfin tuna by this enzyme, the LPC ratio of the phospholipid increased from 20 to 72.6% and the percentage of DHA for the total fatty acids of the phospholipid also increased. Thus, skipjack ovaries might possibly be used as a source of PLA₁.     

花椰菜未受精子房、花托、花序轴离体培养诱导成苗研究

以花椰菜的花托、花序轴和未受了房为外植体,诱导出不定芽,并进行继代增殖培养,在工增殖培养基上每隔２５～３０天,不定芽可以增殖５～６倍,不加激素的１／２ＭＳ培养基上,试管苗生根率达到９８％以上,移栽成活率达到９５％以上。经观察,花托和未受精了再生植株是由外植体直接分化而来,不经过愈伤组织阶段,这样可避免不良变异,保持材料的遗传稳定性。     

高效氯氰菊酯对小鼠卵巢生殖功能的影响及维生素E的干预作用

为探究高效氯氰菊酯 (beta-cypermethrin, β-CP) 对雌性小鼠卵巢生殖功能的影响及维生素E (vitamin E, VE) 的干预作用,将雌性昆白小鼠随机分为6 组:空白对照组 (花生油处理)、β-CP不同剂量 (10、20、40 mg/kg) 处理组、VE保护组 (20 mg/kg β-CP+20 mg/kg VE) 和VE组 (20 mg/kg VE),连续灌胃10 d。灌胃结束后取小鼠卵巢组织,观察组织结构的病理变化,采用免疫组化法、蛋白免疫印迹试验及RT-PCR方法检测卵巢中StAR蛋白含量及casp-3、casp-8、INHα和INHβB 基因mRNA表达的变化。结果显示:与对照相比,10、20和40 mg/kg的β-CP处理均使小鼠卵巢组织结构发生了损伤,使组织中StAR蛋白的浓度分别降低了18.8%、36.3%和40.3%,casp-3基因的表达分别升高了16.0%、26.7%和52.9%,INHα基因的表达分别升高了34.5%、83.6%和228.7%,INHβB基因的表达分别升高了7.5%、39.2%和52.7%;20和40 mg/kg的β-CP处理使得casp-8基因的表达分别升高了27.1%和36.7%。上述处理组与对照组的差异均达显著水平 (P＜0.05)。与 20 mg/kg β-CP处理组相比,VE 保护组的StAR蛋白含量也显著增多 (P＜0.05)。研究表明,β-CP对小鼠卵巢具有毒性作用,这与β-CP抑制StAR蛋白的合成,上调casp-3、casp-8、INHα及INHβB基因的表达有关;添加VE对小鼠卵巢有一定的保护作用,这与VE可减弱β-CP对StAR蛋白合成的抑制作用有关。