title: Development of functional LH Receptors on pig cumulus-oocyte complexes cultured in vitro by a novel two-step culture system.
abstract: We show in the present study that freshly isolated pig cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) display a limited response to LH, as assessed by the expression of hyaluronan synthase 2 (Has2) mRNA, activation of protein kinase A (PKA), production of hyaluronic acid (HA) and progesterone, cumulus cell expansion and resumption of meiosis. These data indicate that freshly isolated COCs do not possess a sufficient number of functional LH receptors (LHR). However, the expression of Lhr significantly increased during the culture of COCs in vitro in a medium supplemented with FSH. Assuming that the effect of FSH on LHR induction is mediated via cAMP signaling pathways, we developed a new culture system, in which the COCs were pre-cultured for 72 hr in a medium supplemented with dbcAMP. The pre-cultured COCs remained in the germinal vesicle stage, their cumulus investment underwent a dramatic increase in size and gap junctions between the cumulus cells were preserved. The stimulation of such COCs with either FSH or LH led to the resumption and completion of meiosis, activation of PKA, expression of Has2, synthesis of large amounts of HA and progesterone, and extensive expansion of cumulus cells. We conclude that the formation of functional LHR is stimulated in cumulus cells during the culture in vitro in a cAMP-dependent pathway. The dbcAMP-treated COCs thus represent a new model in which the resumption of meiosis and cumulus expansion can be induced exclusively by the action of recombinant LH.
authors.affiliation: Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetics, Libechov, Czech Republic. prochazka@iapg.cas.cz
authors.forename: Radek
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Procházka
authors.forename: Lucie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nemcová
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nagyová
authors.forename: Sona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scsuková
authors.forename: Alzbeta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mlynarcíková
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D003994:Bucladesine / Q000494:pharmacology; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D054885:Cumulus Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D017868:Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D014453:Glucuronosyltransferase / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D011974:Receptors, LH / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011974:Receptors, LH; D011374:Progesterone; D003994:Bucladesine; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D014453:Glucuronosyltransferase; D017868:Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases