mRNA expression pattern of gonadotropin receptors in bovine follicular cysts

MARELLI BE; DIAZ PU; SALVETTI NR; REY F; ORTEGA HH

REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY

INST ANIMAL REPRODUCTION FOOD RESEARCH

Año: 2014 vol. 14 p. 276 - 281

1642-431X

Follicular growth and steroidogenesis are dependent on the coordinated actions of gonadotropins and their receptors in granulosa and theca cells of ovarian follicles. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the expression patterns of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) and luteinizing hormone receptor (LHCGR) in ovarian follicular structures from cows with cystic ovarian disease (COD) as compared with those in ovarian structures from regularly cycling cows. Relative real-time RT-PCR analysis showed that the expression of FSHR mRNA in the granulosa cells was highest in small antral follicles, then decreased significantly as follicles increased in size, and was lowest in cysts. FSHR mRNA was not detected in the theca cells of any follicular category, including cysts. LHCGR mRNA expression in granulosa cells was significantly higher in large antral follicles than in cysts, and not detected in granulosa cells of small and medium antral follicles. In theca cells, the expression level of LHCGR mRNA in medium antral follicles was higher than in small and large antral follicles, whereas that in follicular cysts was similar to that in small and medium antral follicles, but higher than that in large antral follicles. Our findings provide evidence that an altered gonadotropin receptor expression may be present in bovine cystic follicles, and suggest that in conditions characterized by altered ovulation, such as COD, changes in the signaling system of gonadotropins could play a fundamental role in their pathogenesis.