title: Multiple molecular forms of inhibin in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) ovarian follicular fluid.
abstract: Inhibin is a heterodimeric glycoprotein hormone involved in the regulation of FSH release from the anterior pituitary gland and it has been characterized from various animals. Although, multiple molecular forms of inhibin have been reported from different species, however, the molecular nature of inhibin has not been studied in buffaloes. In the present study, attempts were made to identify inhibin in buffalo ovarian follicular fluid. Buffalo ovaries were obtained from the local abattoir and follicular fluid was aspirated from surface follicle (with diameter> or =5mm). A combination of techniques (viz., gel filtration, SDS-PAGE, Western blot etc.) was employed for identification and isolation of inhibin(s). Inhibin bands were detected at 129 and 63 kDa by Western blot analysis in non-reducing conditions. In reduced SDS-PAGE, 63 kDa fraction produced a single band while 129 kDa fraction resolved into four components of 63, 43, 29 and 20 kDa. Out of them only 29, 63 and the native 129 kDa fractions produced bands on Western blot analysis. In total five fractions (63, 54, 39, 29, 25 kDa) were obtained by trypsin digestion of 129 kDa form. However, only 63 and 29 kDa fractions showed immunoreactivity. In this study, for the first time, we have identified two major forms of inhibin (129 and 63 kDa) with little proteolytic cleavage/processing of the large precursor in the buffalo follicular fluid.
authors.affiliation: Division of Biochemistry and Food Science, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh 243122, India. anitaganguly@gmail.com
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ganguly
authors.forename: Indrajit
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ganguly
authors.forename: Sanat K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Meur
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002020:Buffaloes; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D007265:Inhibins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007265:Inhibins