Abstract
Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), belonging to the transforming growth factor-beta family, are crucial factors in follicular growth and development in the mammalian ovary. In this study, we examined the effects of BMP2, 4, 6 and 7 on goat granulosa cells by in vitro culture. The results showed that BMP2, 4 and 7 increased follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) level in goat granulosa cells whereas they decreased luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) level in both transcript and protein levels; however, BMP6 upregulated LHR transcript and protein level in goat granulosa cells, whereas it had no effect on FSHR level. FSHR knockdown increased granulosa cell apoptosis. Our data provided the i¬rst evidence that BMP2, 4, 6 and 7 may inhibit granulosa cell apoptosis through the regulation of FSHR and/or LHR level. These i¬ndings provided new insight into the biological functions of BMP2, 4, 6 and 7 for follicular development in goat ovary. Key words: Granulosa cell, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR)
Highlights
Ovarian follicular development in mammals is controlled by gonadotrophins from the pituitary gland and autocrine/ paracrine factors produced in the ovary (Fortune, 1994; Shimizu et al, 2007)
To confirm that the protein level of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) and luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) was changed by Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) treatment, we detected the protein of FSHR and LHR by western blot (Figure 4)
These results indicate that BMP2, 4, 6 and 7 have different effects on FSHR and LHR at both transcriptional and protein level
Summary
Ovarian follicular development in mammals is controlled by gonadotrophins from the pituitary gland and autocrine/ paracrine factors produced in the ovary (Fortune, 1994; Shimizu et al, 2007). The pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is a key hormone in the regulation of folliculogenesis and female fertility (Baby and Bartlewski, 2011; Kumar et al, 1997, 1998). FSH triggers cyto-differentiation and proliferation of granulosa cells (GC), resulting in the development of preovulatory follicles (Erickson, 1983; Hirshfield, 1991). Because FSH acts in an endocrine manner, the expression of FSH receptor (FSHR) in target cells is essential for modulation of follicle development by FSH. It is well known that FSHR is not expressed until midway through follicle development. Maintenance of FSHR expression is required to avoid death by atresia (Kobayashi et al, 1990; Yamoto et al, 1992). It is important to elucidate the mechanism responsible for the regulation of FSHR expression to better understand the process of folliculogenesis
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