title: Differential expression of CART in ewes with differing ovulation rates.
abstract: We hypothesised that cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CARTPT) would be differentially expressed in ewes with differing ovulation rates. Expression of mRNA forCARTPT, as well asLHCGR,FSHR,CYP19A1andCYP17A1was determined in antral follicles ≥1 mm in diameter collected during the follicular phase in ewes heterozygous for the Booroola and Inverdale genes (I+B+; average ovulation rate 4) and ++ contemporaries (++; average ovulation rate 1.8). In ++ ewes (n= 6),CARTPTwas expressed in small follicles (1 to <3 mm diameter), where 18.8 ± 2.5% follicles expressedCARTPTCART peptide was also detected in follicular fluid of some follicles of ++ ewes. In I+B+ ewes, 5/6 ewes did not have any follicles that expressedCARTPT, and no CART peptide was detected in any follicle examined. Expression pattern ofCYP19A1differed between I+B+ and ++ ewes with an increased percentage of small and medium follicles (3 to <4.5 mm diameter) but decreased percentage of large follicles (≥4.5 mm diameter) expressingCYP19A1in the I+B+ ewes. Many of the large follicles from the I+B+ ewes appeared non-functional and expression ofLHCGR,FSHR,CYP17A1andCYP19A1was less than that observed in ++ ewes. Expression ofFSHRandCYP17A1was not different between groups in small and medium follicles, butLHCGRexpression was approximately double in I+B+ ewes compared to that in ++ ewes. Thus, ewes with high ovulation rates had a distinct pattern of expression ofCARTPTmRNA and protein compared to ewes with normal ovulation rates, providing evidence for CART being important in the regulation of ovulation rate.
authors.affiliation: ReproductionAnimal Science, AgResearch Limited, Invermay Agricultural Centre, Puddle Alley, Mosgiel, New Zealand jenny.juengel@agresearch.co.nz.
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Juengel
authors.affiliation: ReproductionAnimal Science, AgResearch Limited, Invermay Agricultural Centre, Puddle Alley, Mosgiel, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Michelle C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: French
authors.affiliation: ReproductionAnimal Science, AgResearch Limited, Invermay Agricultural Centre, Puddle Alley, Mosgiel, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Laurel D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Quirke
authors.affiliation: ReproductionAnimal Science, AgResearch Limited, Invermay Agricultural Centre, Puddle Alley, Mosgiel, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Alexia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kauff
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Mammalian Reproductive Biology and GenomicsDepartment of Animal Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: George W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: ReproductionAnimal Science, AgResearch Limited, Invermay Agricultural Centre, Puddle Alley, Mosgiel, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Peter D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Johnstone
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001141:Aromatase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000502:physiology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011962:Receptors, FSH / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012756:Sheep; D013254:Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000098882:Cocaine- and Amphetamine-Regulated Transcript Protein
chemical_list: D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011962:Receptors, FSH; D000098882:Cocaine- and Amphetamine-Regulated Transcript Protein; D004958:Estradiol; D001141:Aromatase; D013254:Steroid 17-alpha-Hydroxylase