title: Betacellulin overexpression in the mouse ovary leads to MAPK3/MAPK1 hyperactivation and reduces litter size by impairing fertilization.
abstract: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and its ligands are emerging as key molecules in regulating female reproduction. Here, we used a transgenic mouse model to evaluate whether and at which level of the reproduction cascade higher-than-normal levels of the EGFR ligand betacellulin (BTC) in the reproductive organs affect fertility. Western blots and immunohistochemistry revealed increased BTC levels in uterus and ovaries from transgenic females, particularly evident in granulosa cells of antral follicles. Onset of puberty, estrous cyclicity, and the anatomy and histology of reproductive organs at puberty were not altered as compared to control females. Fertility tests revealed a reduction (~50%) in litter size as the major reproductive deficit of transgenic females. Embryo implantation was delayed in transgenic females, but this was not the reason for the reduced litter size. Transgenic females produced a normal number of oocytes after natural ovulation. The in vivo fertilization rate was significantly reduced in untreated transgenic females but returned to normal levels after superovulation. Impaired oocyte fertilization in the absence of superovulation treatment was associated with MAPK3/MAPK1 hyperactivation in BTC transgenic ovaries, whereas similar levels of MAPK3/MAPK1 activation were detected in transgenic and control ovaries after superovulation treatment. Thus, tight regulation of MAPK3/MAPK1 activity appears to be essential for appropriate granulosa cell function during oocyte maturation. Our study identified hitherto unknown effects of BTC overabundance in reproduction and suggests BTC as a novel candidate protein for the modulation of fertility.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology and Laboratory for Functional Genome Analysis (LAFUGA), Gene Center of the Ludwig-Maximilians University, 81377, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Ana A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Gratao
authors.forename: Maik
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dahlhoff
authors.forename: Fred
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sinowatz
authors.forename: Eckhard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.forename: Marlon R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Schneider
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D066259:Betacellulin; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000502:physiology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008098:Litter Size / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D066259:Betacellulin; C587852:Btc protein, mouse; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3