Lack of FSH support enhances LIF-STAT3 signaling in granulosa cells of atretic follicles in cattle.
Subordinate follicles (SFs) of bovine follicular waves undergo atresia due to declining FSH concentrations; however, the signalling mechanisms have not been fully deciphered. We used an FSH-induced co-dominance model to determine the effect of FSH on signalling pathways in granulosa cells of the second-largest follicles (SF in control cows and co-dominant follicle (co-DF2) in FSH-treated cows). The SF was smaller than DF in control cows while diameters of co-DF1 and co-DF2 in FSH-treated cows were similar. The presence of cleaved CASP3 protein confirmed that granulosa cells of SFs, but not of DFs and co-DFs, were apoptotic. To determine the effect of FSH on molecular characteristics of the second-largest follicles, we generated relative variables for the second largest follicle in each cow. For this, variables of SF or co-DF2 were divided by the variables of the largest follicle DF or co-DF1 in each cow. There was higher transcript abundance of MAPK1/3 and AKT1/2/3 but lower abundance of phosphorylated MAPK3/1 in SF than co-DF2 granulosa cells. Abundance of mRNA and phosphorylated protein of STAT3 was higher in granulosa cells of control SF than FSH-treated co-DF2. SF granulosa cells had higher levels of LIFR and IL6ST transcripts, the two receptors involved in STAT3 activation. Further, lower transcript abundance of interleukin 6 receptor (IL6R), another receptor involved in STAT3 activation, indicated that STAT3 activation in SF granulosa cells could be mainly due to leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) signalling. These results indicate that atresia due to lack of FSH is associated with activated LIF-STAT3 signalling in SF granulosa cells, as FSH treatment reversed such activation.
Laboratory of Biotechnology and Animal Reproduction - BioRepVeterinary Hospital, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, BrazilLaboratory of Animal Reproduction - ReproPELFederal University of Pelotas, Capão do Leão, Rio Grande do Sul, BrazilDepartment of Animal ScienceMcGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Sainte Anne de Bellevue, Quebec, Canada H9X 3V9.
Gustavo Freitas
GF
Ilha
Laboratory of Biotechnology and Animal Reproduction - BioRepVeterinary Hospital, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, BrazilLaboratory of Animal Reproduction - ReproPELFederal University of Pelotas, Capão do Leão, Rio Grande do Sul, BrazilDepartment of Animal ScienceMcGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Sainte Anne de Bellevue, Quebec, Canada H9X 3V9.
Monique T
MT
Rovani
Laboratory of Biotechnology and Animal Reproduction - BioRepVeterinary Hospital, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, BrazilLaboratory of Animal Reproduction - ReproPELFederal University of Pelotas, Capão do Leão, Rio Grande do Sul, BrazilDepartment of Animal ScienceMcGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Sainte Anne de Bellevue, Quebec, Canada H9X 3V9.
Bernardo G
BG
Gasperin
Laboratory of Biotechnology and Animal Reproduction - BioRepVeterinary Hospital, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, BrazilLaboratory of Animal Reproduction - ReproPELFederal University of Pelotas, Capão do Leão, Rio Grande do Sul, BrazilDepartment of Animal ScienceMcGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Sainte Anne de Bellevue, Quebec, Canada H9X 3V9.
Alfredo Quites
AQ
Antoniazzi
Laboratory of Biotechnology and Animal Reproduction - BioRepVeterinary Hospital, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, BrazilLaboratory of Animal Reproduction - ReproPELFederal University of Pelotas, Capão do Leão, Rio Grande do Sul, BrazilDepartment of Animal ScienceMcGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Sainte Anne de Bellevue, Quebec, Canada H9X 3V9.
Paulo Bayard Dias
PB
Gonçalves
Laboratory of Biotechnology and Animal Reproduction - BioRepVeterinary Hospital, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, BrazilLaboratory of Animal Reproduction - ReproPELFederal University of Pelotas, Capão do Leão, Rio Grande do Sul, BrazilDepartment of Animal ScienceMcGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Sainte Anne de Bellevue, Quebec, Canada H9X 3V9 raj.duggavathi@mcgill.ca vilceu.bordignon@mcgill.ca.
Vilceu
V
Bordignon
Laboratory of Biotechnology and Animal Reproduction - BioRepVeterinary Hospital, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, BrazilLaboratory of Animal Reproduction - ReproPELFederal University of Pelotas, Capão do Leão, Rio Grande do Sul, BrazilDepartment of Animal ScienceMcGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Sainte Anne de Bellevue, Quebec, Canada H9X 3V9 raj.duggavathi@mcgill.ca vilceu.bordignon@mcgill.ca.
Raj
R
Duggavathi
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D002417:Cattle; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000187:drug effects; D051058:Oncogene Protein v-akt / Q000187:drug effects; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D053606:Receptors, OSM-LIF / Q000235:genetics; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor; D019947:Receptors, Interleukin-6; D053606:Receptors, OSM-LIF; D050796:STAT3 Transcription Factor; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D051058:Oncogene Protein v-akt; D053148:Caspase 3