The relationships between transforming growth factors &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;β&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; and free thyroxine and progesterone in the ovarian cysts, preovulatory follicles, and the serum of sows

Tomasz Stankiewicz

doi:10.5194/aab-60-131-2017

Abstract

Abstract. The aim of the study was to determine the relationships between bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP-15) and growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF-9) concentrations and free thyroxine (FT4) and progesterone (P4) concentrations in follicular cysts, preovulatory follicles, and the serum of sows (cyst-bearing (n = 26) and non-cyst-bearing (n = 26)). FT4 and P4 concentrations were higher in the cystic fluid than in the fluid of preovulatory follicles (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05 respectively). BMP-15 and GDF-9 concentrations were higher in the serum of cyst-bearing sows than non-cyst-bearing sows (p < 0.05) and higher in the cystic fluid than in the follicular fluid (p < 0.05). In the cysts and preovulatory follicles, GDF-9 concentration was higher than in serum (p < 0.01). FT4 concentration in the serum of cystic sows was correlated with BMP-15 (r = 0.50, p < 0.05) and GDF-9 (r = 0.62, p < 0.01) concentrations in serum. In the serum of non-cyst-bearing sows, a positive correlation between P4 concentration and BMP-15 concentration (r = 0.60, p < 0.01) was detected. These data will help provide insight into the role of BMP-15, GDF-9, FT4, and P4 during cyst formation in sows.

Highlights

Ovarian cysts account for a major proportion of ovarian dysfunction (Cech and Dolezel, 2007; Szulanczyk-Mencel et al, 2010)
It is possible that such interactions with thyroid hormones involve a bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP-15)
The presence of BMP-15 and growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF-9) in the follicular and cystic fluid confirms that these factors create the proper follicular microenvironment and can participate in the development of follicular cysts

Summary

Introduction

Ovarian cysts account for a major proportion of ovarian dysfunction (Cech and Dolezel, 2007; Szulanczyk-Mencel et al, 2010). As well as gonadotropins and steroid hormones, have important roles in the regulation of the porcine ovarian follicle function (Maruo et al, 1987; Gregoraszczuk et al, 1998) and are found in porcine ovarian follicular fluid (Stankiewicz et al, 2008). Thyroid hormones have been shown to affect steroidogenesis in porcine thecal and granulosa cells (Gregoraszczuk and Skalka, 1996). It has been reported that thyroid hormones increase the impact of the follicle-stimulating hormone on the functional differentiation of cultured porcine granulosa cells (Maruo et al, 1987). Fitko et al (1995, 1996) have shown that hypothyroidism increases the exogenous gonadotropin formation of cysts and weakens the steroidogenesis activity of ovaries in gilts. It is possible that such interactions with thyroid hormones involve a bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP-15)

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Conclusion