Effects of IGF-1, TGF-alpha plus TGF-beta1 and bFGF on in vitro survival, growth and apoptosis in FSH-stimulated buffalo (Bubalis bubalus) preantral follicles.
OBJECTIVE
Investigate the effect of various growth factors viz. IGF-I, TGF-alpha + TGF-beta1 and bFGF either alone or in combination, with FSH on in vitro growth, survival, antrum formation, steroidogenesis and apoptosis of buffalo preantral follicles (PFs).


METHODS
Buffalo ovaries were collected from abattoir; PFs were isolated and divided into five treatment groups. TCM-199 supplemented with 10% FBS, 1% ITS+EGF+FSH control (group a), control+IGF-I (group b), control + TGF-alpha + TGF-beta1 (group c), control + IGF-I + TGF-alpha + TGF-beta1 (group d) and control+bFGF (group e). Progesterone (P4) and 17beta-estradiol (E2) concentrations were evaluated by RIA and apoptosis by TUNEL assay.


RESULTS
TGF-alpha + TGF-beta1 inhibited follicular survival and induced oocyte apoptosis, while IGF-I + TGF-alpha + TGF-beta1 suppressed this inhibitory action. IGF-I significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced the follicle survival, growth and induced antrum formation. FGF had greater effects on both survival and growth rate of oocytes than other treatment groups. Progesterone and estradiol accumulation was significantly (P < 0.05) greater in presence of FGF and IGF-I than TGF-alpha + TGF-beta1.


CONCLUSIONS
Survival, growth, antrum formation and steroidogenesis are stimulated by IGF-I and bFGF, whereas TGF-alpha + TGF-beta1 inhibited growth and survival of PFs which led to induced oocyte apoptosis in buffalo PFs.
Sharma
G Taru
GT
Reproductive Physiology and ETT Laboratory, Division of Physiology and Climatology, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, India. gts@ivri.up.nic.in
Dubey
Pawan K
PK
Kumar
G Sai
GS
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D002020:Buffaloes / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D002470:Cell Survival; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000494:pharmacology; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000494:pharmacology; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000494:pharmacology
D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone