Altered expression of angiogenic factors in dominant preovulatory follicles of dairy cattle treated with ACTH

• Published in: Animal reproduction science Vol. 262; p. 107415
• Main Authors: Gasser, Fátima Belén, Stassi, Antonela Florencia, Lujan Velázquez, Melisa María del, Etchevers, Lucas, Amweg, Ayelén Noelia, Salvetti, Natalia Raquel, Ortega, Hugo Héctor, Baravalle, María Eugenia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.03.2024
• Subjects: ACTH; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone - metabolism; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone - pharmacology; Angiogenesis; Animals; Cattle; CD-31; Cows; Female; Granulosa Cells; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins - metabolism; Ovarian Follicle - physiology; PDGF; Theca Cells; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A - genetics; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A - metabolism; VEGFA; Cows; ACTH; Angiogenesis; CD-31; PDGF; VEGFA
• ISSN: 0378-4320; 1873-2232
• DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2024.107415

Studies in cows have reported that ovulation, steroidogenesis and angiogenesis are affected by stress and consequently fertility decreases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of ACTH administration during the preovulatory period on the expression of growth factors (CD-31, PDGF-A, PDGF-B, VEGFA-164, VEGFA-164b, VEGF-R1 and VEGF-R2) associated with the angiogenic process by immunohistochemistry in cows (n = 14). Results evidenced the expression of these growth factors in theca and granulosa cells from antral, atretic and dominant preovulatory follicles of ACTH-treated cows, suggesting that, under stress conditions, their expression continues to be required. VEGFA-164, VEGF-R1 and VEGF-R2 expression was greater in theca cells of dominant preovulatory follicles of the ACTH-treated group than in those of the control group. CD-31 protein expression was lower in the dominant preovulatory follicles of the ACTH-treated group than in those of the control group. PDGF-A and PDGF-B expression did not differ between groups, either in granulosa or in theca cells. These results suggest that VEGFA-164, its receptors and CD-31 are actors in the normal cycle of the ovaries and could have greater pathophysiological importance in the altered angiogenic process and other events that occur during anovulation and stress conditions. This dysregulation reinforces the importance of the angiogenic process in the pathophysiology of cystic ovarian disease in cows. This is the first report on the expression and localization of components of the VEGF and PDGF systems and CD-31 in cells from dominant preovulatory follicles after ACTH administration. •VEGFA showed a higher expression in TC of dominant follicle after ACTH stimulus.•VEGFR1 showed a higher expression in TC of dominant follicles after ACTH stimulus.•VEGFR2 showed a higher expression in TC of dominant follicles after ACTH stimulus.•CD-31 showed a lower expression in TC of dominant follicles after ACTH stimulus.