原始卵泡形成与早期卵泡发育的遗传调控

原始卵泡形成与早期发育调控对卵母细胞发育来说非常重要,通过对原始卵泡的体外培养,可以了解原始卵泡发育的调节机制.原始卵泡向初级卵泡的转变不依赖于促性腺激素,而主要受卵巢旁分泌因子的调控,包括Kit/KL、GDF9等促进因子和AMH等抑制因子的调控.目前,原始卵泡发育的分子调控机理研究多以小鼠为模型,而对大型哺乳动物和人的研究甚少.概述了哺乳动物原始卵泡形成与发育启动调控机制的既有研究成果,详细阐述了原始卵泡发育过程中关键分子的调控作用,并介绍了小鼠及其他哺乳动物卵泡体外培养的研究进展.     

卵泡液细胞外囊泡携带的microRNA对卵泡闭锁影响的研究进展

细胞外囊泡(extracellular vesicles, EVs)是细胞主动释放的膜结合颗粒。在原核生物和真核生物中,EVs被认为是细胞间进行信息交流的一种方式。EVs具有携带蛋白质、脂质和核酸等生物大分子的能力,可以影响亲本细胞和受体细胞的不同生理功能。其中,EVs携带的microRNA研究报道最多,在生物体生理功能方面发挥着重要作用。卵泡在发育过程中,只有少数卵泡可以充分发育、成熟、排卵,大多数卵泡在发育的不同阶段发生闭锁。在卵泡发育的整个过程中,每一阶段的变化以及卵泡闭锁调控机制还不完全清楚。本文在总结EVs类型、特性、分离方法及用途的基础上,从不同细胞因子、激素方面重点论述了卵泡液中EVs携带的microRNA是如何调控卵泡闭锁,同时对卵泡液EVs携带的microRNA在生殖调控和生殖疾病诊断方面的研究前景进行了展望,对于卵泡发育调控研究以及有效利用研究具有一定参考意义。     

哺乳动物卵巢卵泡发育调控机制研究进展

卵巢作为雌性哺乳动物的性腺,是由卵母细胞和不同类型的体细胞组成的异质性器官。卵巢在功能上,一方面担负了与雌性个体健康有关的内分泌调节功能,另一方面则承载了产生成熟卵母细胞并繁衍子代的重要任务。而承担上述功能的单位为卵泡,即卵母细胞和卵泡体细胞共同构成的复合体。对于具有较长生殖寿命的哺乳动物而言,卵泡在卵巢内的发育是一个内部协同与外部调控的精密有序过程。其中后期促性腺激素依赖的有腔卵泡发育直接调控生殖周期的产生,而近期越来越多的证据表明早期卵泡的有序发育与雌性生殖寿命维持密切关联。因此,卵泡在体正常发育与雌性个体的健康息息相关;而深入探索卵泡发育调控机制,可直接指导我们认识包括人类在内的雌性哺乳动物生殖寿命的维持机制,并在未来对其进行可能的调控。近年来,伴随着新技术和新方法的产生,特别是基因修饰动物的开发以及新型显微技术的出现,对卵泡发育特别是早期卵泡发育的调控机制研究有了长足的进步。本综述围绕着卵泡在体发育中的关键生理事件,将近年来对卵泡的生理发育调节机制研究进行梳理,并重点聚焦于早期卵泡发育的体内相关调控机制研究进展。     

卵泡液中细胞外囊泡及其携带的microRNA对卵泡发育的作用

细胞外囊泡(Extracellular vesicles,EVs)是指细胞分泌的双层膜转运囊泡。EVs能从细胞中摄取大分子物质,并将其转移至受体细胞。在这些大分子物质中,研究最多的就是microRNA (miRNA)。miRNA是一种参与基因表达调控的非编码RNA,已证实在哺乳动物卵泡液EVs中有不同的非编码RNA存在,EVs携带miRNA可以作为自分泌和旁分泌的替代机制,影响卵泡发育。文中系统介绍了EVs的种类、特征和分离鉴定方法,重点综述了EVs及携带的miRNA对卵泡发育的作用,包括早期卵泡发育、卵母细胞成熟、卵泡优势化以及对颗粒细胞功能的影响。同时对卵泡液中EVs及其携带的miRNA的未来研究进行了展望,为卵泡液中EVs及携带的miRNA功能的研究及应用提供了思路和方向。     

干细胞因子在卵泡发育过程中的作用

干细胞因子(stemcellfactor,SCF)是酪氨酸激酶受体的配体。哺乳动物卵巢组织能表达SCF,它不仅能促进和诱导卵母细胞的发育,并能调控卵泡细胞间的相互作用及激素的生成,而且是卵泡发育过程中重要的旁分泌因子,可能激活蛋白激酶C(PKC)和有丝分裂原激活蛋白激酶的激酶(MEK)及PI3激酶途径信号分子等信号途径,对卵泡发育起调节作用。     

哺乳动物腔前卵泡体外培养研究进展

哺乳动物卵巢中含有数以万计的腔前卵泡（preantral follicles）,仅不足1％能够发育至预排卵卵泡。建立哺乳动物腔前卵泡有效分离及体外培养技术体系,能够大量利用腔前卵泡,增加体外成熟卵母细胞数量,对哺乳动物胚胎体外生产、克隆及转基因动物生产等胚胎工程技术的研究与应用,以及在体外条件下揭示哺乳动物卵泡发育机理,都具有重要的理论意义和实用价值。鉴于卵巢质地与卵泡划、发生周期的固有差异,不同物种腔前卵泡分离方法与培养方式亦有所不同。同时,培养基类型、卵泡问相互作用、促性腺激素与细胞因子等因素均会对卵泡的体外发育产生影响。系统阐述了腔前卵泡的分离方法、培养方式以及相关因素对卵泡发育的影响,期望为从事相关研究的学者提供参考。     

哺乳动物卵泡卵母细胞发生的分子调控

哺乳动物卵泡卵母细胞发生的研究一直是发育生物学研究的重点之一。简要叙述了哺乳动物卵泡卵母细胞发生的一般过程,重点分析了原始生殖细胞向卵母细胞分化过程中gdf9、c-kti、BMP4及TGF家族关键基因的表达调控对卵母细胞发生的影响,以及卵母细胞与颗粒细胞间的相互调节作用,介绍了卵母细胞体外发生的最新研究进展及面临的难题等,为进一步研究原始生殖细胞向卵母细胞分化以及卵泡生长发育的机制提供了理论基础。     

发情周期不同时期猪卵泡颗粒细胞凋亡的观察

为探讨猪发情周期不同时期卵泡发育和闭锁的规律及机理,本实验通过TUNEL原位标记,H,E．染色以及放射免疫测定等手段研究了猪发情周期不同阶段卵巢表面各类卵泡数量的变化。各类卵泡中颗粒细胞的凋亡比例,闭锁卵泡的形态变化以及发情周期各阶段血清孕酮及雌二醇水平的变化等问题。卵泡的总数在发情间期最多,为26．8个／卵巢,发情期最少,为7．4个／卵巢。小放泡的数量在发情间期最多。为15个／卵巢,在发性期数量最少,为5．7个／卵巢。中等卵泡数量在发情间蜞多,为8．5个／卵巢,在发情后期卵巢中无中等卵泡。大卵泡的数量在发情前期最多,为7．4个／卵巢,在发情后期最少,为0个。小卵泡的颗粒细胞凋亡比例（各时期平均21．03％）显著高于大卵泡,在发情后期显著降低。中等卵泡的颗粒细胞凋亡比例（平均16．6％）在发情前期显著低于其它各期。大卵泡的颗粒细胞凋亡比例（平均11．2％）在发情周期各阶段无显著差异,均显著低于中等卵泡和小卵泡。     

卵泡内环境对猪卵泡卵体外成熟和发育的影响

研究卵泡内环境对猪卵母细胞体外成熟、受精及受精卵体外发育的影响。主要结果如下：直径≥5mm、4－4.9mm、3－3.9mm和2－2.9mm的卵泡卵母细胞体外成熟率分别为90.5%、89.7%、85.4%和67.4%,体外受精后,卵母细胞的发育能力随卵泡直径的增大而增强,直径≥5mm和4－4.9mm卵泡卵的2－细胞、3－4－细胞发育率显著高于直径2－2.9mm的卵泡卵（P＜0.05或0.01）。体外成熟培养36h、42h和48h,直径2－2.9mm卵泡卵的体外成熟率,体外受精后的卵裂率差异不显著（P＞0.05）。在体外成熟培养液中添加5％或15％的不同直径卵泡的卵泡液,各组间卵母细胞的体外成熟率,受精卵的体外发育率均无显著差异,结果表明：卵泡大小对猪卵母细胞体外成熟、受精及受精卵体外发育有重要影响。     

卵泡发生过程中GDF-9和BMP-15(GDF-9B)的作用

近年来,对卵巢内卵泡发育,即从原始卵泡募集、优势选择、卵泡生长、排卵到黄体形成的调控研究取得了很大的进展.研究表明TGF-β超家族的许多成员在各阶段卵泡发生中起重要的调节作用.TGF-β超家族的两个成员-生长分化因子-9(GDF-9)和骨形态因子-15(BMP-15,或GDF-9B)主要在哺乳动物卵母细胞中表达,对卵泡生长发育起关键作用.本文对GDF-9和BMP-15在卵泡发育过程中的作用进行了综述.     

家禽卵泡闭锁机制的研究进展

家禽卵泡闭锁是一种受多种机制共同调控卵泡退化的过程,与家禽的繁殖性能密切相关。近年来,随着分子技术的快速发展,针对家禽卵泡细胞的凋亡和自噬引起卵泡闭锁的研究取得巨大进展。综述了家禽卵泡内细胞凋亡与自噬对家禽卵泡闭锁调控机制,讨论了卵泡细胞凋亡与自噬引起卵泡闭锁的意义及存在的问题。通过对家禽卵泡闭锁机制的研究,以期为家禽产蛋性能的充分利用和挖掘提供理论依据。     

Reproductive endocrinology of female elasmobranchs: lessons from the little skate (Raja erinacea) and spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias).

Conventional classification of reproductive modes in female elasmobranchs fails to account for the diversity in ovarian dynamics that operate during oviparous and viviparous cycles. Delineating this diversity is crucial for understanding the endocrine regulation of the manifold physiological mechanisms utilized to retain and protect eggs and developing embryos, to fuel embryogenesis, and to manage the intrauterine milieu. Oocyte development and follicular steroidogenesis overlap with egg retention and pregnancy in some species, whereas in others the follicular phase of the cycle is temporally separated from the gravid period. A luteal phase predominates the post-ovulatory period in viviparous species. In oviparous species, the luteal phase overlaps with the follicular cycle. This heterogeneity in ovulatory cycles suggests that the endocrine system evolved a transmutable system for regulating steroidogenesis and the control of the reproductive events. The reproductive biology and endocrinology of the oviparous little skate and lecithotrophic viviparous spiny dogfish are reviewed in order to derive a working hypothesis that explains the complex nature of endocrine patterns observed in species utilizing disparate reproductive modes. An understanding of the adaptations in ovarian dynamics to particular ovulatory cycles is key to developing theories about the evolution of reproductive strategies in female elasmobranchs. J. Exp. Zool. 284:557-574, 1999.     

Differential effects of various estradiol-17beta treatments on follicle-stimulating hormone peaks, luteinizing hormone pulses, basal gonadotropin concentrations, and antral follicle and luteal development in cyclic ewes

In a previous study, 10-day estradiol implant treatment truncated the FSH peaks that precede follicular waves in sheep, but subsequent ovine FSH (oFSH) injection reinitiated wave emergence. The present study's objectives were to examine the effects of a 20-day estradiol and progesterone treatment on FSH peaks, follicle waves, and responsiveness to oFSH injection. Also, different estradiol doses were given to see whether a model that differentially suppressed FSH peaks, LH pulses, or basal gonadotropin secretion could be produced in order to study effects of these changes on follicular dynamics. Mean estradiol concentrations were 11.8 +/- 0.4 pg/ml, FSH peaks were truncated, wave emergence was halted, and the number of small follicles (2-3 mm in diameter) was reduced (P < 0.05) in cyclic ewes given estradiol and progesterone implants (experiment 1). On Day 15 of treatment, oFSH injection failed to induce wave emergence. With three different estradiol implant sizes (experiment 2), estradiol concentrations were 5.2, 19.0, 27.5, and 34.8 (+/-4.6) pg/ml in control and treated ewes, respectively. All estradiol treatments truncated FSH peaks, except those that created the highest estradiol concentrations. Experiment 2-treated ewes had significantly reduced mean and basal FSH concentrations and LH pulse amplitude and frequency. We concluded that 20-day estradiol treatment truncated FSH peaks, blocking wave emergence, and reduced the small-follicle pool, rendering the ovary unresponsive to oFSH injection in terms of wave emergence. Varying the steroid treatment created differential FSH peak regulation compared with other gonadotropin secretory parameters. This provides a useful model for future studies of the endocrine regulation of ovine antral follicular dynamics.     

Effect of prolactin on ovarian steroidogenesis

This review summarizes evidence that prolactin (PRL) is involved directly in the regulation of ovarian steroidogenesis. The scope of this paper will be limited to two areas. The first area involves the regulation of the corpus luteum function and the second the effect of PRL on steroidogenesis during the follicular phase of the oestrous cycle. Cyclic changes of plasma PRL levels and the ovarian receptors which bind PRL have been observed during the oestrous cycle of domestic animals. The luteotropic effect of PRL and its failure is also presented. PRL may exert a physiological effect on follicle steroidogenesis but its effect depends on the level of follicle maturation. The effect of PRL treatment on estrogen production by follicular cells in vivo and in vitro was studied. The results of many papers indicate suppression of estrogen secretion by the direct action of PRL at the ovarian level. However, there is abundant evidence, that PRL is involved directly in regulation of ovarian steroidogenesis, the precise mechanism remains to be discovered.     

The pattern and manipulation of ovarian follicular growth in goats

The understanding of the dynamics and regulation of follicle development in the goat has increased in recent years due to the use of ultrasonography. Previous findings observed in other ruminants extend to this species such as: the wavelike pattern of follicular growth with waves emerging every 5-7 days; the presence of follicular dominance, particularly during wave 1 and the ovulatory wave; and the role of progesterone concentrations on follicular wave turnover. However, traditional hormone treatments for oestrus synchronisation and superovulatory programs remain essentially unmodified and without taking into account this new information. The use of long progestogen priming is largely unjustified. Short progestogen priming can be used successfully in both anoestrous and cycling goats (in this case associated with PGF2alpha), and also linked with timed artificial insemination. On the other hand, recent attempts to overcome the deleterious effect of the dominant follicle on superovulatory response using the emergence of the wave 1 have been successful. Overall, using ultrasonography a new field has been opened and surely successful output will be forthcoming in the next years to improve reproductive management of the goat, the fastest growing ruminant population in the world.     

Progress in understanding ovarian follicular dynamics in cattle

The study of follicular dynamics began in the mid-20th century, but progress has been particularly rapid in the last two decades through the use of tools that have enabled serial, non-invasive examination. A brief overview of early oogenesis and folliculogenesis is provided as a backdrop to the evolution of our understanding of follicular dynamics during the bovine estrous cycle. Studies to date support the concept that the pair of ovaries acts as a single unit and influences follicular development primarily via systemic endocrine routes involving ovarian and uterine products, the gonadotropins, and their receptors. Dominant and subordinate follicles pass through growing, static and regressing phases that have distinct morphologic and biochemical characteristics; these changes are the basis of efforts focused on diagnosing and manipulating follicular status. An update of research progress highlights recent findings on the repeatability (predictability) within individuals of follicle recruitment and wave pattern (two- versus three-wave cycles), the relationship between oocyte competence and follicular status, and the dynamics of small follicles. Recent studies documented that wave emergence and follicular dominance are apparent earlier than previously reported, and on the basis of periodic endogenous FSH surges and the presence of FSH receptors, the hypothesis that follicles become progressively entrained to waves from the earliest stages of development is introduced. Lastly, recent studies comparing old cows and their young daughters provide a new understanding of the effects of aging on gonadotropins and ovarian steroids, follicular dynamics, ovarian response to synchronization, superstimulation, and oocyte competence.     

A syntenic locus on buffalo chromosome 20: novel genomic hotspot for miRNAs involved in follicular-luteal transition

The developmental reorganization of ovarian follicular granulosa cells (GC) during follicular maturation, ovulation, and luteinization require a well-controlled regulation of dynamic gene expression profiles. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) were found to be key players of ovarian follicular dynamics. The current study aimed to understand the miRNA regulatory role in follicular-luteal transition by characterizing the miRNA profile through miRNA-seq at different follicular (small, medium, and large) and luteal (early, mid, and late) stages in Indian water buffaloes, mono-ovulatory animals like humans. A total of 517 miRNAs were identified in follicular granulosa cells (GC) and corpus luteum (CL) together. Among them, 2 unique and 40 novel miRNAs were in GC; 15 unique and 45 novel miRNAs were in CL. Among the remaining 415 annotated common miRNAs between GC and CL, 43 have showed significant (p?<?0.05) differential expression between GC and CL. Particularly, 39 and 4 miRNAs showed higher expression in CL and GC, respectively, with respect to each other. Genome mapping analysis revealed that 71.7% of differential miRNAs having higher expression in CL compared to GC, and 93% of the unique miRNAs in CL were mapped to a short chromosomal region of 0.7 Mb (67.4 to 68.1 Mb) on chromosome 21 of cows which is syntenic to the buffalo chromosome 20. Clustering of all these miRNAs at this locus suggests it as a chromosomal hotspot for miRNAs involved in follicular-luteal transition, especially for CL physiological functions.     

Follicular waves during the oestrous cycle in Nili-Ravi buffaloes undergoing spontaneous and PGF2alpha-induced luteolysis

The objective of this study was to characterize the follicular waves and associated ovarian events during spontaneous and PGF(2alpha)-induced oestrous cycles in Nili-Ravi buffaloes. In Exp. 1, (n=13 oestrous cycles) follicular and luteal development was monitored by ultrasonography and jugular blood samples were collected simultaneously on alternate days. Of 12 oestrous cycles, 9 (75%) had two waves of follicular activity and only 3 (25%) had three waves. The mean (+/-S.E.M.) length of the oestrous cycle was shorter (P<0.05) in buffaloes with two waves than in those with three waves (21.2+/-0.1 days versus 22.8+/-0.1 days). In Exp. 2, follicular dynamics were compared in buffaloes undergoing spontaneous (n=12 oestrous cycles) and PGF(2alpha)-induced (n=9) regression of the corpus luteum (CL). The dynamics of ovulatory follicular growth during the 3 days before oestrus were similar (P>0.05) in buffaloes undergoing spontaneous and PGF(2alpha)-induced luteolysis. These results show that (1) the majority of buffaloes had a two wave pattern of follicular growth and emergence of a third wave was associated with a longer luteal phase, and (2) follicular dynamics during the 3 days before oestrus were similar in buffaloes undergoing spontaneous and PGF(2alpha)-induced luteolysis.     

Age and gonadotropins control Ca2+-spike acquisition in mouse oocytes isolated from early preantral follicles

The action of gonadotropins upon the oocyte is known to be crucial at later stages of follicular development in mammals. However, its influence on oocytes at early preantral stages is still a matter of debate. In the present study we evaluated the onset of mouse oocyte's capacity to exhibit calcium spikes during preantral stages of follicular development, prior to meiotic competence acquisition. In particular, through the use of confocal microscopy, we probed for the specific effects of age and gonadotropin stimulation upon the calcium dynamics of preantral follicle oocytes. We found that important developmental changes on the Ca2+ signalling mechanisms take place early during follicular development. Specifically we demonstrate that both age and gonadotropin stimulation increase the capacity of oocytes recovered from preantral follicles to exhibit calcium spikes. We propose that a strictly morphological staging of follicular development is insufficient to predict oocyte behaviour and must take in consideration animal age and gonadotropin environment.