Abstract
Simple SummaryProgesterone produced by granulosa cells regulates the diverse reproductive events in poultry. Osthole is a natural compound extracted from Cnidium. In this study, we confirmed Osthole up-regulated the progesterone secretion though elevating the expression of key proteins in the process of progesterone synthesis. These results indicate Osthole could be used in the pre-peak phase and (or) the peak phase to maximize the output of egg production in laying hens. Moreover, it provided a new idea that natural compounds may be the target library to screen the potential drugs used in poultry to increase the egg quality and yield.Osthole (Ost) is an active constituent of Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cusson which possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. It also has estrogen-like activity and can stimulate corticosterone secretion. The present study was aimed to check the role of Ost on progesterone (P4) secretion in cultured granulosa cells obtained from hen preovulatory follicles. Different concentrations (5, 2.5, and 1.25 µg/mL) of Ost was added to granulosa cells for 6, 12, 18, and 24 h to investigate the level of progesterone secretions using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that progesterone secretion was significantly increased in cells treated with Ost at 2.5 μg/mL. Also, qRT-PCR showed that mRNA expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) was significantly up-regulated by Ost at 2.5 μg/mL concentration. Cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage (P450scc) and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) was significantly up-regulated by Ost. However, no significant differences were observed for the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). The protein expression of StAR, P450scc and 3β-HSD were significantly up-regulated by Ost treatment. The concentration of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and protein kinase A (PKA) in cell lysates showed no change with Ost treatment at 2.5 μg/mL by ELISA. An ROS kit showed non-significant difference in the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In conclusion, Ost treatment at a concentration of 2.5 μg/mL for 24 h had significantly up-regulated P4 secretion by elevating P450scc, 3β-HSD and StAR at both gene and protein level in granulosa cells obtained from hen preovulatory follicles.
Highlights
With the rapid development of the poultry and egg industry, people are focusing on the production and quality of eggs
These results show that steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), P450 side-chain cleavage (P450scc) and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) mRNA expression were and up3β-HSD were significantly increased in all groups with Ost at 5, 2.5, 1.25 μg/mL
These results show that StAR, P450scc and 3β-HSD mRNA expression were upregulated in chicken granulosa cells after 24 h of 2.5μg/mL Ost treatment
Summary
With the rapid development of the poultry and egg industry, people are focusing on the production and quality of eggs. In order to increase egg production, amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin and other drugs were used to prevent avian epidemics and increase egg production which has caused drug residues in eggs [1]. Due to ban of antibiotics in poultry feed, the world is in search of new methods to improve egg production and quality. The main bioactive component Osthole is isolated from the seeds of Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cusson having many biological effects, such as anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities [2]. Osthole had an estrogen-like effect and promoted the corticosterone biosynthesis and secretion [3,4]
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