title: Expression and functional activity of PACAP and its receptors on cumulus cells: effects on oocyte maturation.
abstract: Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) and its receptor PAC1-R (PACAP type 1 receptor) are transiently expressed in granulosa cells (GCs) of mouse preovulatory follicles and affect several parameters associated with the ovulatory process. We investigated the expression of PACAP and its receptors in cumulus cells (CCs) after the LH surge and their role on cumulus expansion/apoptosis and oocyte maturation. PACAP and PAC1-R expression increased in CCs isolated at different times after treatment with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Moreover, PACAP was able to reverse the inhibition of oocyte meiotic maturation caused by hypoxantine in cumulus cell-oocyte complexes (COCs) and efficiently promoted male pronuclear formation after fertilisation. PACAP was also able to induce cumulus expansion and prevent CC apoptosis. Our results demonstrated the induction of PACAP and its receptors in CCs by LH and EGF, suggesting that PACAP may play a significant role in the complex interactions of gonadotropin and growth factors during ovulation and fertilisation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedic, Section of Histology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Marzia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barberi
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Di Paolo
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Latini
authors.forename: Maria Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Guglielmo
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cecconi
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Canipari
mesh_terms: D015124:8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate / Q000494:pharmacology; D066258:Amphiregulin; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000502:physiology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000502:physiology; D054885:Cumulus Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D066255:EGF Family of Proteins; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000502:physiology; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000378:metabolism; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051237:Receptors, Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide, Type I / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051239:Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide, Type II / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013077:Sperm Head / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: C587848:AREG protein, human; C495402:Adcyap1 protein, mouse; C495504:Adcyap1r1 protein, mouse; D066258:Amphiregulin; C587849:Areg protein, mouse; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D066255:EGF Family of Proteins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051237:Receptors, Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide, Type I; D051239:Receptors, Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide, Type II; D015124:8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone