Granulosa theca cell

As a new member of the insulin-like growth factors (Igfs), Igf3 was reported to play a vital role in fish reproduction. However, in spotted steed, the function of Igf3 remains largely unknown. In the present study, we identified and characterized Igf3 gene in spotted steed. Structural analysis showed that Igf3 contained five domains (B, C, A, D, E) and six conserved cysteine residues. The expression of Igf3 mRNA and protein were increased during ovary development and peaked in the maturation stage. The subcellular localization of IGF3 was highly expressed in granulosa cells and theca cells...

In our previous studies, we demonstrated that the primary source of relaxin 3 (RLN3) in Japanese quail is ovarian granulosa cells. Although several relaxin family peptide (RXFP) receptors have been sequenced, the intricacies of these receptors in avian species remain insufficiently clarified. Therefore, we assessed the expression of RXFP receptors, RXFP1 and 3, in Japanese quail. Using RT-PCR, we found that both RXFP1 and 3 were ubiquitously expressed. The expression level of RXFP1 is significantly higher in the ovarian theca layer, indicating that it is the primary receptor for RLN3 in the ovary...

Studies in cows have reported that ovulation, steroidogenesis and angiogenesis are affected by stress and consequently fertility decreases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of ACTH administration during the preovulatory period on the expression of growth factors (CD-31, PDGF-A, PDGF-B, VEGFA-164, VEGFA-164b, VEGF-R1 and VEGF-R2) associated with the angiogenic process by immunohistochemistry in cows (n = 14). Results evidenced the expression of these growth factors in theca and granulosa cells from antral, atretic and dominant preovulatory follicles of ACTH-treated cows, suggesting that, under stress conditions, their expression continues to be required...

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine-metabolic disease in females of reproductive age, affecting 4-20% of pre-menopausal women worldwide. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, single-stranded, non-coding, regulatory ribonucleic acid molecules found in eukaryotic cells. Abnormal miRNA expression has been associated with several diseases and could possibly explain their underlying pathophysiology. MiRNAs have been extensively studied for their potential diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic uses in many diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, PCOS, and endometriosis...

The genetics of sex determination varies across taxa, sometimes even within a species. Major domesticated strains of zebrafish ( Danio rerio ), including AB and TU, lack a strong genetic sex determining locus, but strains more recently derived from nature, like Nadia (NA), possess a ZZ male/ZW female chromosomal sex-determination system. AB strain fish pass through a juvenile ovary stage, forming oocytes that survive in fish that become females but die in fish that become males. To understand mechanisms of gonad development in NA zebrafish, we studied histology and single cell transcriptomics in developing ZZ and ZW fish...

Defining features of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) include elevated expression of steroidogenic genes, theca cell androgen biosynthesis and peripheral levels of androgens. In previous studies we identified vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1) as a selective androgen target gene in specific NR2F2/SF1 (+/+) theca cells. By deleting NR2F2 and VCAM1 selectively in CYP17A1 theca cells in mice, we documented that NR2F2 and VCAM1 impact distinct and sometimes opposing theca cell functions that alter ovarian follicular development in vivo: including major changes in ovarian morphology, steroidogenesis, gene expression profiles, immunolocalization images (NR5A1, CYP11A1, NOTCH1, CYP17A1, INSL3, VCAM1, NR2F2) as well as granulosa cell functions...

Growth hormone is a key endocrine factor for metabolic adaptations to lactation and optimal reproductive function of the dairy cow. This study aimed to analyze the expression of GH and its receptor (GHR) in ovarian follicles, along with metabolic biomarkers, during the resumption of the postpartum follicular development, and to analyze the immunolocalization and protein expression of GH and GHR in preovulatory follicles. Thirty-six dairy cows were grouped according to the postpartum days (PPD) until the establishment of the first dominant follicle in: cows that established their first dominant follicle at fewer postpartum days (FPPD group; n = 15) and cows that established their first dominant follicle at more postpartum days (MPPD group; n = 22)...

Signaling in the granulosa cells of mammalian ovarian follicles is necessary for maintaining prophase arrest in the oocyte and for mediating the resumption of meiosis in response to luteinizing hormone (LH). However, the follicle also includes an outer layer of theca cells, some of which express receptors for LH. To investigate whether the theca cells are required for maintaining meiotic arrest and reinitiating meiosis in response to LH, we mechanically separated the granulosa cells and oocyte from the theca and basal lamina...

In postpartum dairy cows, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from gram-negative bacteria causes uterine or mammary inflammation, resulting in low fertility. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of LPS on the in vitro growth (IVG), steroidogenesis, and maturation of oocyte-cumulus-granulosa cell complexes (OCGCs) derived from bovine early antral follicles. OCGCs were isolated from bovine early antral follicles (0.5-1 mm in diameter) and cultured in vitro for 12 days using media containing 0 (control), 0...

The reproductive lifespan in humans is regulated by a delicate cyclical balance between follicular recruitment and atresia in the ovary. The majority of the small antral follicles present in the ovary are progressively lost through atresia without reaching dominance, but this process remains largely underexplored. In our study, we investigated the characteristics of atretic small antral follicles and proposed a classification system based on molecular changes observed in granulosa cells, theca cells, and extracellular matrix deposition...

BACKGROUND: Estrogen receptor beta (ERβ, Esr2) plays a pivotal role in folliculogenesis and ovulation, yet its exact mechanism of action is mainly uncharacterized. RESULTS: We here performed ERβ ChIP-sequencing of mouse ovaries followed by complementary RNA-sequencing of wild-type and ERβ knockout ovaries. By integrating the ERβ cistrome and transcriptome, we identified its direct target genes and enriched biological functions in the ovary...

In vitro generation of porcine embryos is an indispensable method in the realms of both agriculture and biomedicine. Nonetheless, the extant procedures encounter substantial obstacles pertaining to both the caliber and efficacy of the produced embryos, necessitating extensive research to in vitro maturation (IVM), the seminal commencement phase. One potentially fruitful approach may lie in refining the media and supplements composition utilized for oocyte maturation. Fibroblast growth factor-7 (FGF7), alternatively termed keratinocyte growth factor, is a theca-derived cytokine integral to folliculogenesis...

Phoenixin-14 (PNX-14) regulates energy metabolism via the G protein-coupled receptor 173 (GPR173); elevated plasma levels have been described in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. The aims were to investigate the ovarian expression of PNX-14/GPR173 and the in vitro effect of PNX-14 on granulosa cells (Gc) function. Transcript and protein levels of PNX-14/GRP173 were analysed by real-time PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry in the porcine ovarian follicles at days 2-3, 10-12 and 16-18 of the oestrous...

Adipolin is a recently discovered adipokine that plays an important role in glucose and insulin level regulation. Previous studies showed its reduced level in serum of women suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome; however, whether adipolin regulates ovary function is still unknown. The aim of study was first to determine the level of adipolin in the porcine ovarian follicles granulosa cells (Gc), and then its in vitro effect on proliferation and steroidogenesis as well as phosphorylation of several signalling pathways...

INTRODUCTION: Granulosa cells (GCs) and theca cells (TCs) play a pivotal role in human ovarian steroidogenesis, facilitating the conversion of cholesterol into sex steroids that regulate normal reproductive function. This study aims to explore the expression patterns of key enzymes that govern human ovarian steroidogenesis throughout follicle development, employing both genomic and immunological methodologies. METHODS: Follicles and GCs obtained from women undergoing ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) and in vitro fertilisation treatment were utilized...

This study sought to examine the ovarian cellular and stromal components of the zebrafish ( Danio rerio ) throughout the spawning season using light and electron microscopic tools. The ovaries of zebrafish showed oocytes in all stages of follicular development and degeneration (atresia). Six stages of oogenesis were demonstrated: oogonia, early oocytes, late oocytes, vacuolated follicles, the yolk globule stage (vitellogenesis), and mature follicles. The SOX9 protein was expressed in the ooplasm of the primary and previtellogenic oocytes and the theca cell layer of the mature follicles...

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) plays a crucial role in follicular growth and stimulates steroid hormone production in bovine follicles. Steroid hormones are synthesized through the actions of steroidogenic enzymes, specifically STAR, CYP11A1, HSD3B, and CYP19A1 in both theca cells (TCs) and granulosa cells (GCs), under the influence of gonadotropins. Particularly, estradiol 17β (E2) assumes a central role in follicular development and selection by activating estrogen receptors β (ESR2) in GCs...

PURPOSE: Our aim was to investigate protective effects of daidzein treatment on ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury-induced ovarian tissue by immunohistochemical techniques. METHODS: Thirty Sprague Dawley female rats were categorized into three groups as sham, I/R group, and I/R+daidzein groups. Bloods were analyzed for malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH), and myeloperoxidase (MPO), and ovaries were processed for histological tissue protocol. RESULTS: Both MDA and MPO values were increased in I/R group compared to sham and I/R+daidzein groups...

In vitro maturation (IVM) system is an alternative method to superovulation protocols to obtain mature oocytes. Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) and Insulin-like Growth Factor I (IGF-I) have been widely used in IVM medium in different species. Although the guinea pig is a valuable animal model for reproductive studies, IVM is rarely used. We aimed to establish a suitable in vitro production system using EGF and/or IGF-I during IVM to improve oocyte competence. Firstly, immunolocalization of EGF and IGF-I receptors in the ovary was assessed...

Three-dimensional (3D) stem cell models of the ovary have the potential to benefit women's reproductive health research. One such model, the reconstituted ovary (rOvary) self-assembles with pluripotent stem cell-derived germ cells creating a 3D ovarian mimic competent to support the differentiation of functional oocytes inside follicles. In this study, we evaluated the cellular composition of the rOvary revealing the capacity to generate multiple follicles surrounded by NR2F2+ stroma cells. However, the rOvary does not develop a surface epithelium, the source of second-wave pre-granulosa cells, or steroidogenic theca...