Expression of integrins and GDF9 mRNAs is associated with ovarian follicle size and donor puberty status in pigs

Ovarian folliculogenesis and oogenesis has a significant impact on embryo growth and development in preimplantation stages. Although both processes are widely understood in several species of mammals, including pigs, the factors influencing the proper maturation capability of oocytes, as well as the developmental competence of the surrounding somatic granulosa cells (GCs) and cumulus cells (CCs), are still not entirely known. This study aimed to investigate the expression of growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and integrins (ITGB1,ITGB2, ITGB3 and ITGB4) in porcine oocytes isolated from follicles of various size and donors characterized by different puberty status. The relative abundance of GDF9, ITGB1, ITGB2, ITGB3, and ITGB4 mRNAs in porcine oocytes isolated from medium follicles of cycling sows (MFCS), small follicles of juvenile gilts (SFJG), and small follicles of cycling sows (SFCS) was assessed by an RT-qPCR assay. It was found an increased expression of GDF9 in oocytes isolated from the small follicles of juvenile gilts as compared to the other two groups (P < 0.001). A significant down-regulation of ITGB1 and ITGB2 oocyte mRNAs collected from medium follicles of cycling sows was observed (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). The ITGB3 mRNA expression was significantly decreased in oocytes isolated from small follicles of juvenile gilts (P < 0.001), whereas a lower expression of ITGB4 in oocytes from both medium follicles (cycling sows) and small follicles (juvenile gilts) was observed. In conclusion, GDF9 may be recognized as the main factor regulating follicle growth at early stages of folliculogenesis. The expression of ITGBs is significantly regulated by the puberty status of donor pigs, and different follicular sizes may play a subordinate role in integrin expression during in vivo follicle development in pigs.

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