Contribution of the VEGF system to the follicular persistence associated with bovine cystic ovaries

STASSI, A.F.; GASSER, F.; VELÁZQUEZ, M.M.L.; BELOTTI, E.M.; GAREIS, N.C.; REY, F.; ORTEGA, H.H.; SALVETTI, N.R.; BARAVALLE, M.E.

THERIOGENOLOGY

ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC

Año: 2019

0093-691X

Cystic ovaries (CO) characterize a disorder frequently found indairy cattle. However, despite the contributions by several researchers,the mechanism that leads to ovulatory failure has not yet been completelyelucidated. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the mRNAexpression of bovine vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFA)-164,VEGFA-164b and VEGF receptors (VEGFR1 and VEGFR2) by real-time PCR andprotein expression by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence andwestern blot in follicular fluid from dairy cows with spontaneous CO andin an experimental model of follicular persistence induced by prolongedtreatment with progesterone. Results showed that both VEGFA isoforms andreceptors were coexpressed in granulosa and theca interna cells and infollicular fluid of ovaries from all the groups evaluated. VEGFA-164,VEGFA-164b and VEGFR2 protein expression was higher in theca cells ofpersistent follicles from group P0 (expected time of ovulation) than inthose from dominant follicles (as reference structure) from the controlgroup (p < 0.05). Also, VEGFA-164 expression was higher in theca cells ofcysts than in those of dominant follicles of the control group (p