• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.55-65
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• 1999

There have been many reports to date regarding the role of GnRH as a local regulatory factor of ovarian function as studies of human and rat ovaries revealed GnRH and its receptor. In recent studies it has been shown that GnRH directly causes apoptosis in the granulosa cells of the rat ovary, and such results leads to the suggestion that the use of GnRH agonist for more stable long term ovarian hyperstimulation in human IVF-ET programs causes granulosa cell apoptosis which may lead to follicular atresia. Therefore this study attempts to determine if granulosa-luteal cell apoptosis occurs in patients during IVF-ET programs in which GnRH agonist is employed for ovarian hyperstimulation. The quality of oocyte-cumulus complexes obtained during ovum pickup procedures were assessed morphologically and then the fertilization rate and developmental rate was determined. Apoptotic cells among the granulosa-luteal cells obtained during the same procedure were observed after staining with Hematoxylin-eosin. The fragmentation degree of DNA extracted from granulosa-luteal cells was determined and comparatively analyzed. There was no difference in the average age of the patients, the number of oocytes retrieved, and fertilization and developmental rates between the FSH/hMG group and GnRH-long group. There was also no difference in the apoptosis rate and pyknosis rate in the granulosa-luteal cells between the two groups. However, when the oocyte-cumulus complexes were morphoogically divided into the healthy group and atretic group without regard for the method of hyperstimulation, the results showed that the number of oocytes obtained averaged $11.09{\pm}8.75\;and\;10.33{\pm}4.53$ per cycle, respectively, showing no significant difference, but the fertilization rate (77.05%, 56.99%, respectively, p<0.01) and developmental rate (65.96%, 41.51%, respectively, p<0.01) was significantly increased in the healthy group when compared to the atretic group. The degree of apoptosis in the granulosa-luteal cells showed that in the healthy group it was 2.25% which was not significantly different from the atretic group (2.77%), but the pyknosis rate in the atretic group (27.81%) was significantly higher compared to the healthy group (11.35%, p<0.01). The quantity of DNA fragmentation in the FSH/hMG group was 32.22%, while in the GnRH-long group it was 34.27%, showing no significant difference. On the other hand the degree of DNA fragmentation was 39.05% and 11.83% in the healthy group and atretic group, respectively, showing significantly higher increase in the atretic group (p<0.01). The above results suggest that death of granulosa-luteal cells according to the state of the oocyte-cumulus complex is more related to pyknosis rather than apoptosis. Also, the GnRH agonist used in ovarian hyperstimulation does not seem to directly affect the apoptosis of retrieved oocytes and granulosa-luteal cells, and which is thought to be due to the suppression of the apoptogenic effect of GnRH agonist as a result of the high doses of FSH administered.

• 한국가축번식학회지
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.165-173
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• 1992

In order to study the mechanism of follicle growth and maturation, and also to supplement the criteria identifying the follicle state of normal of atretic, the histochemical investigation on the ovarian follicles according to the ovarian cycle of mouse, rat and pig has been done. The intercellular space of granulosa cells, especailly Call-Exner body, and follicular fluid in the antrum showed positive to PAS, and blue stain by trichrome dye. The resutls suggest that the mucous polysaccharide was synthesized by the granulosa cells, and secreted into the antrum through Call-Exner body so as to be the components of the follicular fluid as the follicles proceeded to growth and maturation. The further the follicles proceeded to atresia the more densely their theca externa were stained blue by follicles proceeded to atresia the more densely their theca externa were stained blue by trichrome dye, and the more densely the granulosa cells were stained red by oil red 0 dye. Therefore, these staining methods can be applied to the criteria identifying the follicle atresia.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제14권6호
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• pp.777-784
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• 2001

Evaluation of the granulosa cell (GC) monolayers developed from small (<5 mm) and large (>5 mm) follicles on the meiotic competence of caprine oocytes during in vitro maturation was done in this study in comparison to the granulosa cell coculture. Ovaries were collected from the local abattoir and follicular contents were aspirated for the monolayer culture. For IVM the oocytes were collected by puncturing the nonatretic follicles (>4 mm). Results revealed that at the same seeding rate, small follicular granulosa cell monolayer achieved confluence 24-48 h earlier than large follicular granulosa cell monolayer. GC monolayers significantly p (<0.05) improved the rate of meiotic resumption and nuclear maturation (84.76% vs 74.74%) after 27 h of culture in comparison to GC coculture. Statistically there was no significant difference in the maturation rate between the caprine oocytes matured over small or large follicular GC monolayers. It is concluded from the present study that GC monolayers support better nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of growing caprine oocytes which is evident by better maturation rate over GC monolayer as compared to the oocytes matured with GC coculture. Granulosa cells from small and large follicles can be used for IVM with more or less in the same efficiency after conditioning them with maturation media in 18-24 h before the onset of culture.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2006

포유류 난포의 폐쇄 과정은 매우 정교한 내분비적 조절작용에 의해 일어나며, 이 과정중에 발생하는 난포 내 과립세포의 퇴화는 핵응축 현상을 동반하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 본 연구는 핵응축 현상과 관련하여 돼지 난소 내 폐쇄난포의 과립세포가 퇴화 시 동반되는 세포 사멸이 아포토시스의 과정에 의해서 일어나는지의 여부와 아포토시스 관련 주요 단백질 분해 효소인 캐스파제-3과 연관된 세포 사멸 기전과 관련이 있는지에 대해서 조사하고자 하였다. 돼지 난소로부터 정상 및 폐쇄난포를 분리하고 이들을 대상으로 조직학적으로 아포토시스 발생 여부를 확인하였고 난포로부터 각각 얻어진 과립세포를 대상으로 하여 아포토시스 과정으로 사멸하는 세포의 형태 및 캐스파제-3의 활성을 관찰 및 측정하였다. 폐쇄 중 돼지 난포 내 과립세포에서 핵의 분절이 흔히 관찰되었고, 유세포 측정기를 이용하여 세포 사멸율을 측정해 본 결과 사멸하는 세포의 수가 폐쇄난포의 과립세포에서 정상난포보다 매우 유의하게 높은 것으로 나타났다. 난포 조직 내 아포토시스 세포는 과립세포에 국한되어 관찰되었으며 협막세포에서는 아포토시스가 관찰되지 않았다. 최종적으로 캐스파제-3의 활성을 정상 및 폐쇄 난포에서 분리한 세포에서 측정해 본 결과 폐쇄난포의 과립세포에서 정상난포보다 유의하게 높은 활성을 보였다. 이와 같은 결과를 종합해 볼 때, 돼지 난포의 폐쇄 중 과립세포의 퇴화는 아포토시스 과정에 의해 일어나며, 캐스파제-3의 활성에 의존적인 것으로 사료된다.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.41-49
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• 1977

The present study was underve the histochemical nature of various follicles and interstitial tissues in the ovaries of Korean native goats and cattle as well as the histochemical changes of those in the ovaries of Korean native goats treated with dexamethasone. Much more lipid granules appeared in the granulosa and theca cells of atretic follicles compared with normal follicles in these ruminant ovaries. In the ovaries of Korean native goats the interstitial tissue derived from the theca interna of atretic follicles appeared the form of patches of cells and the interstitial tissue derived from stromal cells appeared the form of diffuse, obscure bounds. In the ovaries of Korean native cattle the interstitial tissue derived from theca interna of atretic follicles showed sparsely scattered form of pathes of cells. The histochemical components were described on the basis of lipids in the granulosa and theca cells of normal follicles, atretic follicles and interstitial tissue. In the ovaries of Korean natve goats treated with dexamethasone, the granulosa and theca cells of atretic foillicle contained plenty lipid granules that were increased in size and number, however, lipid granules were markedly decreased in the interstitial tissue.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.184-193
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• 2007

In mammalian ovary, steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein mediates the true rate-limiting step of transport of cholesterol from outer to inner mitochondrial membrane. Appropriate expression of StAR gene represents an indispensable component of steroidogenesis and its regulation has been found to be species specific. However, limited information is available regarding StAR gene expression during estrous cycle in buffalo ovary. In the present study, expression, localization and hormonal regulation of StAR mRNA were analyzed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR in buffalo ovary and partial cDNA was cloned. Total RNA was isolated from whole follicles of different sizes, granulosa cells from different size follicles and postovulatory structures like corpus luteum and Corpus albicans. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analyses showed StAR mRNA expression in the postovulatory structure, corpus luteum. No StAR mRNA was detected in total RNA isolated from whole follicles of different size including the preovulatory follicle (>9 mm in diameter). However, granulosa cells isolated from preovulatory follicles showed the moderate expression of StAR mRNA. To assess the hormonal regulation of StAR mRNA, primary culture of buffalo granulosa cells were treated with FSH (100 ng/ml) alone or along with IGF-I (100 ng/ml) for 12 to 18 h. The abundance of StAR mRNA increased in cells treated with FSH alone or FSH with IGF-I. However, effect of FSH with IGF-I on mRNA expression was found highly significant (p<0.01). In conclusion, differential expression of StAR messages was observed during estrous cycle in buffalo ovary. Also, there was a synergistic action of IGF-I on FSH stimulation of StAR gene.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제17권11호
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• pp.1496-1500
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• 2004

In the mammalian ovary the follicular fluid contains proteins and peptides which play an important role in growth, development and maturation of oocytes. The gonadotropins and some other factors work synergistically and regulate ovarian functions. In the present study the effect of follicular fluid proteins (FFP) and gonadotropins on progesterone secretion by granulosa cells (GC) from buffalo ovary, was investigated during culture. The follicular fluid was collected from small (<5 mm), and medium (5-8 mm) follicles obtained from buffalo ovaries. The follicular fluid from medium follicles was fractionated with ammonium sulphate at 80% saturation. The precipitated protein fraction was further resolved in to minor (peaks I, III) and major (peak II) proteins using gel filtration (Sephadex G-200). The FFP from small follicles and major FFP (peak II) at a dose of 200 $\mu$g/well, significantly stimulated progesterone secretion by pooled GC (3${\times}10^{5}$ cells/2 ml medium/well). The minor FFP did not show any stimulatory effect. There was a significant increase in progesterone secretion by pooled GC in presence of FFP and LH (10 ng/well), however, FSH (20 ng/well) with FFP exhibited an inhibitory effect. The major FFP and gonadotropins were also studied for their effect on progesterone production by GC isolated from medium and large size follicles. The GC from medium follicles were more responsive to FSH and FFP whereas GC from large follicles exhibited enhanced progesterone secretion with LH and FFP. These results indicated that FFP have their own stimulatory effect and also act synergistically with gonadotropins. The significantly different response shown by GC, for steroid hormone secretion, is based on their stage of growth and differentiation. The purification and characterization of such steroidogenic proteins may help in elucidating their role in growth and differentiation of granulosa cells.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제17권12호
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• pp.1647-1651
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• 2004

The follicles (1.8 to 7.8 mm in diameter) were recovered from the ovaries in marketed pigs and the number of granulosa cells, the diameter of oocytes obtained from different development stages of the follicles and follicular fluid levels were determined. Correlations between size measurements and cell counts as well as the diameter of antral follicles and oocytes were also investigated. The results indicated that, while expanding in size, follicle numbers decreased with a greater atretic proportion. Granulosa cells increased in numbers continuously and remained unchanged beyond the size of 200 ${mm}^3$ in non-atretic follicles, whereas a sudden drop of granulosa counts was observed in atretic follicles. Follicular fluid, on the other hand, linearly increased its volume with follicle size and differed little between those of non-atretic and atretic follicles. Diameters of oocytes in non-atretic follicles increased to its maximum when follicles expanded to 150 ${mm}^3$ and maintained its size during later follicular expansion. It is concluded that, for in vitro culture, the optimal size of porcine follicle should be between 150 to 180 ${mm}^3$if they are collected from pre-pubertal gilts of marketing size slaughtered in an abattoir.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제46권4호
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• pp.571-584
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• 2004

난포폐쇄는 과립층세포와 난포막세포들의 아포토시스에 의해 이루어지고, 이 과정에 대식 세포는 아포토시스 소체들의 포식작용과 각종 사이토카인 분비를 통해 난포폐쇄의 개시와 완성에 직, 간접적으로 관여함이 널이 보고되어 있다. 그러나 난포 폐쇄시 일어나는 아포노시스가 어디에서부터 개시되고, 어떻게 파급되는지, 아포토시스 소체의 제거방법, 퇴화된 난모세포의 제거 방법, 이들을 제거하는 대식세포의 난포내 진입 시기와 방법 등에 대해서는 아직 확실히 밝혀져 있지 않다. 이에 저자들은 가임기 돼지(Yorkshire-breed)를 실험동물로 난소내 난포의 광학현미경적 및 투과전자현미경적 관찰과 TUNEL 및 돼지 대식세포 단크론항체 4E9를 이용한 면역조직화학적 방법으로 본 연구를 실시하였다. 본 연구 결과, 난포 폐쇄는 과립층세포의 아포토시스로부터 개시되고 그 시기에 난포막 속층 세포들의 아포토시스도 같이 일어나는 것으로 관찰되었다. 과립층세포의 아포토시스는 당해 세포의 과립층내 위치에 관계없이 핵농축으로부터 시작되고 짧은 시간안에 과립층 전체로 파급되고 난모세포를 둘러싸고 있는 괴립층세포의 아포토시스가 가장 마지막에 일어나는 것으로 보인다. 난포 과립층세포의 아포토시스는 핵의 농축과 변형, 세포내 소포들의 출현이 특징적이었고, 아포토시스 소체들은 인접한 정상적인 과립층세포와 대식세포들에 의해 포식되었다. 아포토시스 소체들을 포식한 정상 괴립층세포는 자신도 곧 아포토시스를 일으켜, 이들의 포식작용은 일시적인 것으로 생각된다. 또한 모든 아포토시스 소체들과 퇴화된 난모세포는 대식 세포들이 제거함을 알 수 있었다. 대식세포는 아포토시스의 개시와 함께 난포내로 진입하고, 그 진행과 함께 난포내 모든 부위로 이동하여 아포토시스 소체들과 퇴화 난모세포를 제거하는 것으로 보인다. 처음부터 난포막에 있던 일부 대식세포들은, 아포토시스를 일으켜 난포 바닥막을 와해시킨 난포막세포들의 아포토시스 소체들을 제거하여, 폐쇄된 난포의 난소 실질화를 통해 난포 폐쇄의 완성에 기여하는 것으로 보인다.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제15권11호
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• pp.1559-1563
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• 2002

The ovarian follicular fluid was found to contain steroidogenesis stimulatory protein similar to albumin from human and buffalo. Therefore, the albumins from various species, commercial and purified, were studied for their steroidogenic effect on progesterone secretion by granulosa cells from buffalo ovaries, during culture. A dose of $20{\mu}g$ of bovine serum albumin was optimum to exhibit maximum progesterone secretion on day 6 of culture, in medium ($350{\mu}l$) containing $10^5$ cells. Among commercial albumins, chicken albumin showed highest effect on progesterone secretion, which was followed by albumins from goat, bovine, human, sheep and rat, respectively at day 6 of culture. The albumins were also purified from blood serum of buffalo, goat and rat using salt fractionation, ion-exchange chromatography, gel filtration and SDS-PAGE. The highest stimulatory effect on progesterone secretion was shown by albumin purified from buffalo blood serum and lowest by that from rat blood. Comparatively the buffalo and goat albumins were more biologically active than commercial albumins. The presence of some active molecules conjugated with freshly purified albumins may be responsible for better stimulatory effect.