title: Kit ligand and glial-derived neurotrophic factor as alternative supplements for activation and development of ovine preantral follicles in vitro.
abstract: In vitro growth of preantral follicles has the potential to produce considerable numbers of competent oocytes for use in medicine, agriculture, and even wildlife conservation. The critical regulatory role of growth factors and hormones in the development of preantral follicles has been established. This study investigated the effect of glial-derived neurotropic factor (GDNF) and kit ligand (KL) on the in vitro development of ovine preantral follicles. Results indicated that both GDNF and KL significantly improved activation of primordial follicles, similar to co-addition of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), which are commonly used for in vitro follicular development. Importantly, GDNF had a more profound effect on follicle health, development, and differentiation compared with KL alone. Furthermore, the combination of GDNF and KL in the presence of EGF and bFGF had a positive, synergic effect on health, development, and differentiation of preantral follicles, as determined by histological and hormonal assessments. The results of this study may provide a foundation for further studies that will unravel the molecular mechanisms of follicular development to further improve the current status of in vitro preantral follicle culture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Esmaielzadeh
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hosseini
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Nasiri
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hajian
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chamani
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gourabi
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Shahverdi
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Vosough
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Nasr-Esfahani
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D007265:Inhibins / Q000378:metabolism; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011374:Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism; D012756:Sheep; D019089:Stem Cell Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D019089:Stem Cell Factor; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol; D007265:Inhibins