Abstract
BackgroundThe effects of seminal plasma on the presence of the cytokines transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-6 in ovarian follicles and follicular fluid were studied shortly after insemination in gilts.Ovaries from gilts were sampled 5–6 h after insemination with either seminal plasma (SP), fresh semen in extender (Beltsville thawing solution, BTS), spermatozoa in extender (Spz), or only BTS (control).ResultsImmunohistochemical (IHC) labeling of TGF-β1, IL-10 and IL-6 was evident in the ovarian oocytes and granulosa cells independent of stage of follicular development (antral follicles). Theca interna cells were labeled to a high degree in mature follicles. No consistent differences between treatment groups could be observed for any of the cytokines.In follicular fluid, high concentrations of TGF-β1 were found while the levels of IL-10 and IL-6 were low. There were no differences between treatment groups.ConclusionsOur results show a presence of the cytokines TGF-β1, IL-6 and IL-10 in oocytes, granulosa and theca cells, as well as in the fluid of mature follicles suggesting a role of these cytokines in intra-ovarian cell communication. However, treatment (SP, fresh semen in BTS, spermatozoa in BTS or BTS) did not influence the IHC-labeling pattern or the levels of these cytokines in follicular fluid shortly after insemination.
Highlights
The effects of seminal plasma on the presence of the cytokines transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-6 in ovarian follicles and follicular fluid were studied shortly after insemination in gilts
Three gilts were excluded from the study due to having newly ovulated follicles or follicles under ovulation
All theca interna cells seemed to be positively stained for TGF-β1, IL-10 and IL-6 (Figure 1) and scattered positive cells were found in theca externa (Figure 1)
Summary
The effects of seminal plasma on the presence of the cytokines transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-6 in ovarian follicles and follicular fluid were studied shortly after insemination in gilts. Boar seminal plasma (SP) contains many factors essential for early reproductive processes. The TGF-β superfamily is suggested to be an important intraovarian regulator of follicular development, i.e. the bi-directional communication between oocyte and granulosa cells, as well as between granulosa cells and theca cells (see review by [13]). With IHC, Sriperumbudur et al [14] showed cells positively labeled for the cytokines TGF-β (β1 and β2) in preovulatory (granulosa cells) as well as in postovulatory follicles (luteinizing cells). The expression of porcine IL-6 mRNA has been demonstrated in the granulosa cells of normally developed and atretic follicles [15] as well as in the corpus luteum at all luteal stages [16]
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