Steady-state level of messenger RNA and immunolocalization of aquaporins 3, 7, and 9 during in vitro growth of ovine preantral follicles.
Aquaporins (AQPs) are a well-conserved family of small (approximately 30 kDa) membrane channel proteins that facilitate rapid movement of fluids and have a unique tissue-specific pattern of expression. These proteins have been found in the female reproductive systems of humans, rats, and mice. However, the expression and cellular localization of AQPs have not extensively been studied in the female reproductive system of sheep. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate, by real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry respectively, the levels of messenger RNA and the immunolocalization of AQP3, AQP7, and AQP9 in large isolated ovine secondary follicles over a period of IVC. Our analysis revealed that AQP3 and AQP9 were present predominately in follicles that exhibited antrum formation, suggesting a crucial role of these AQPs in the formation of the antrum. Interestingly, AQP7 was only expressed in follicles that had not formed an antrum by Day 12 of culture. In conclusion, the presence of protein channels (AQP3 and AQP9) seems to be essential for the formation of the antrum in isolated ovine secondary follicles cultured in vitro and thus plays an important role during folliculogenesis in this species.
Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Preantral Follicles, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Ceará-UECE, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
A D
AD
Sales
Department of Morphology, Federal University of Ceará-UFC, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
A B G
AB
Duarte
Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Preantral Follicles, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Ceará-UECE, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
G Q
GQ
Rodrigues
Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Preantral Follicles, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Ceará-UECE, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
L F
LF
Lima
Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Preantral Follicles, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Ceará-UECE, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
G M
GM
Silva
Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Preantral Follicles, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Ceará-UECE, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
A A
AA
Carvalho
Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Preantral Follicles, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Ceará-UECE, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
I R
IR
Brito
Center for Biotechnology Sobral, NUBIS, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Acaraú Valley State University-UVA, Sobral, Ceará, Brazil.
R M S
RM
da Maranguape
Department of Animal Science, Group of Research in Biology of Reproduction, Federal University of Ceará-UFC, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
C H
CH
Lobo
Center for Biotechnology Sobral, NUBIS, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Acaraú Valley State University-UVA, Sobral, Ceará, Brazil.
J A S
JA
Aragão
Department of Animal Science, Group of Research in Biology of Reproduction, Federal University of Ceará-UFC, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
A A
AA
Moura
Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Preantral Follicles, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Ceará-UECE, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
J R
JR
Figueiredo
Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Preantral Follicles, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Ceará-UECE, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil. Electronic address: aprrodriguespapers@gmail.com.
A P R
AP
Rodrigues
D000818:Animals; D051400:Aquaporin 3 / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D020346:Aquaporins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism*; D012756:Sheep / Q000378:metabolism*
D020346:Aquaporins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051400:Aquaporin 3
Antrum formation; Aquaporin; Folliculogenesis; Ovine