Effects of GDF-9 and FSH on mRNA expression for FSH-R, GDF-9 and BMPs in in vitro cultured goat preantral follicles

• Published in: Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology Vol. 57; no. 2; pp. 200 - 208
• Main Authors: Leitão, Cintia Camurça Fernandes, Costa, José Jackson do Nascimento, Brito, Ivina Rocha, Magalhães-Padilha, Déborah de Melo, Almeida, Anderson Pinto, Figueiredo, José Ricardo de, van den Hurk, Robert, Silva, José Roberto Viana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Instituto de Tecnologia do Paraná (Tecpar) 01.04.2014
• Subjects: BMPs; follicles; GDF-9; in vitro; mRNA
• ISSN: 1516-8913; 1678-4324; 1516-8913
• DOI: 10.1590/S1516-89132014000200007

The aim of the present study was to determine the role of GDF-9 and/or FSH on the growth and mRNA expression for FSH-R, GDF-9, and BMPs in goat secondary follicles after culture in vitro. Goat secondary follicles (~200µm) were isolated and cultured for six days in minimum essential medium (MEM) supplemented with GDF-9 (200 ng/mL), FSH (50 ng/mL) or both. At the beginning and end of culture, the follicular diameter was evaluated and compared. The levels of mRNA for GDF-9, FSH-R and BMPs -2, -4, -6, -7 and -15 in cultured follicles were quantified by real time PCR. The results showed that a significant increase of follicle diameter after six days when compared to day 0, but the presence of GDF-9 and FSH did not influence the follicular growth in comparison with those cultured in MEM. Real time PCR showed that GDF-9 down-regulated the levels of mRNA for BMPs -2 and -15, while FSH either alone or in combination with GDF-9 did not affect the expression of GDF-9, FSH-R and BMPs. In conclusion, GDF-9 reduced the expression of BMP-2 and -15 in caprine preantral follicles after their culture, but FSH either alone or in association with GDF-9 did not control the expression of GDF-9, FSH-R and BMPs.