open access

Vol 52, No 4 (2014)
Original paper
Submitted: 2014-07-31
Accepted: 2014-11-17
Published online: 2014-11-19
Get Citation

TGFβ (transforming growth factor β) superfamily members and their receptors in the fetal porcine ovaries: effect of prenatal flutamide treatment

Katarzyna Knapczyk-Stwora, Malgorzata Grzesiak, Malgorzata Duda, Marek Koziorowski, Jerzy Galas, Maria Slomczynska
DOI: 10.5603/FHC.a2014.0033
·
Pubmed: 25410538
·
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2014;52(4):317-325.

open access

Vol 52, No 4 (2014)
ORIGINAL PAPERS
Submitted: 2014-07-31
Accepted: 2014-11-17
Published online: 2014-11-19

Abstract

Introduction. We have recently demonstrated that antiandrogen treatment during fetal life resulted in delayed folliculogenesis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of androgen deficiency induced by flutamide on the expression of TGFβ superfamily members and their receptors which are involved in follicle formation and its transition to the primary stage.

Material and methods. Pregnant gilts were injected with flutamide (for seven days, 50 mg/day/kg b.w.) or corn oil (controls) starting at 43 (GD50), 83 (GD90) or 101 (GD108) gestational day. The expression in fetal ovaries of selected TGFβ superfamily members (AMH, BMP4, GDF9), their receptors (AMHR-II, BMPR-IB, BMPR-II), and Smad1 and Smad3 proteins involved in signal transduction were investigated by real-time PCR and/or immunohistochemistry.

Results. Flutamide treatment increased the expression of BMP4 mRNA on GD50 and GD108 and BMPR-IB mRNA on GD50. The expression of BMPR-II was decreased at mRNA level and lower immunostaining intensity was observed after flutamide administration only on GD50. GDF9 and AMHR-II mRNA expression levels were significantly downregulated in both GD90 and GD108 groups. However, AMHR-II was immunolocalized only on GD108 and less positively stained oocytes were found after flutamide treatment. AMH mRNA level was dimi­nished in the GD90 group, while it was elevated in the GD108 group. Moreover, the higher amounts of positively stained oocytes for phosphorylated form of Smad1 were observed following flutamide administration on GD108.

Conclusions. Experimentally-induced androgen deficiency during fetal development deregulates the expression level of some of TGFβ superfamily members and their receptors which may affect primordial follicle assembly. Our findings further underline the role of androgens in the early stages of follicle development.

Abstract

Introduction. We have recently demonstrated that antiandrogen treatment during fetal life resulted in delayed folliculogenesis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of androgen deficiency induced by flutamide on the expression of TGFβ superfamily members and their receptors which are involved in follicle formation and its transition to the primary stage.

Material and methods. Pregnant gilts were injected with flutamide (for seven days, 50 mg/day/kg b.w.) or corn oil (controls) starting at 43 (GD50), 83 (GD90) or 101 (GD108) gestational day. The expression in fetal ovaries of selected TGFβ superfamily members (AMH, BMP4, GDF9), their receptors (AMHR-II, BMPR-IB, BMPR-II), and Smad1 and Smad3 proteins involved in signal transduction were investigated by real-time PCR and/or immunohistochemistry.

Results. Flutamide treatment increased the expression of BMP4 mRNA on GD50 and GD108 and BMPR-IB mRNA on GD50. The expression of BMPR-II was decreased at mRNA level and lower immunostaining intensity was observed after flutamide administration only on GD50. GDF9 and AMHR-II mRNA expression levels were significantly downregulated in both GD90 and GD108 groups. However, AMHR-II was immunolocalized only on GD108 and less positively stained oocytes were found after flutamide treatment. AMH mRNA level was dimi­nished in the GD90 group, while it was elevated in the GD108 group. Moreover, the higher amounts of positively stained oocytes for phosphorylated form of Smad1 were observed following flutamide administration on GD108.

Conclusions. Experimentally-induced androgen deficiency during fetal development deregulates the expression level of some of TGFβ superfamily members and their receptors which may affect primordial follicle assembly. Our findings further underline the role of androgens in the early stages of follicle development.

Get Citation

Keywords

flutamide; pig; fetal ovary; AMH; BMP4; GDF9; AMHR-II; BMPR-IB; BMPR-II; qPCR, IHC

About this article
Title

TGFβ (transforming growth factor β) superfamily members and their receptors in the fetal porcine ovaries: effect of prenatal flutamide treatment

Journal

Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica

Issue

Vol 52, No 4 (2014)

Article type

Original paper

Pages

317-325

Published online

2014-11-19

Page views

2857

Article views/downloads

2159

DOI

10.5603/FHC.a2014.0033

Pubmed

25410538

Bibliographic record

Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2014;52(4):317-325.

Keywords

flutamide
pig
fetal ovary
AMH
BMP4
GDF9
AMHR-II
BMPR-IB
BMPR-II
qPCR
IHC

Authors

Katarzyna Knapczyk-Stwora
Malgorzata Grzesiak
Malgorzata Duda
Marek Koziorowski
Jerzy Galas
Maria Slomczynska

Regulations

Important: This website uses cookies. More >>

The cookies allow us to identify your computer and find out details about your last visit. They remembering whether you've visited the site before, so that you remain logged in - or to help us work out how many new website visitors we get each month. Most internet browsers accept cookies automatically, but you can change the settings of your browser to erase cookies or prevent automatic acceptance if you prefer.

By VM Media Group sp z o.o., ul. Świętokrzyska 73, 80–180 Gdańsk

tel.:+48 58 320 94 94, faks:+48 58 320 94 60, e-mail:  viamedica@viamedica.pl