Stem cell factor promotes in vitro ovarian follicle development in the domestic cat by upregulating c-kit mRNA expression and stimulating the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT pathway.
In the present study we examined the effects of stem cell factor (SCF; 50 vs 100ngmL-1) alone or in combination with epidermal growth factor (EGF; 100ngmL-1) on: (1) the in vitro viability and growth of cat follicles within ovarian cortices; (2) phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation; and (3) c-kit and FSH receptor (FSHr) mRNA expression. At 100ngmL-1, SCF increased (P≤0.05) the percentage and size of secondary follicles after 14 days of in vitro culture and sustained AKT phosphorylation after 3 days incubation. EGF suppressed this beneficial effect and reduced (P≤0.05) the percentage of structurally normal follicles and FSHr expression when combined with 100ngmL-1SCF. Expression of c-kit mRNA was higher (P≤0.05) in the presence of 100ngmL-1SCF compared with fresh follicles and cohorts cultured under other conditions. A c-kit inhibitor suppressed follicle growth and reduced AKT phosphorylation. Collectively, the results demonstrate that SCF promotes cat follicle development by upregulating c-kit mRNA expression and AKT phosphorylation. EGF suppresses the stimulating effect of SCF, leading to downregulation of FSHr expression.
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Front Royal, VA 22630 and Washington, DC 20008, USA.
Paweena
P
Thuwanut
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Front Royal, VA 22630 and Washington, DC 20008, USA.
Pierre
P
Comizzoli
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Front Royal, VA 22630 and Washington, DC 20008, USA.
David E
DE
Wildt
Department of Animal and Avian Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20740, USA.
Carol L
CL
Keefer
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Front Royal, VA 22630 and Washington, DC 20008, USA.
Nucharin
N
Songsasen
D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000187:drug effects; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000378:metabolism*; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011962:Receptors, FSH / Q000235:genetics; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D019089:Stem Cell Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000502:physiology*; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011962:Receptors, FSH; D019089:Stem Cell Factor; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt