Expression of polyamine metabolism-related genes during the development of prehierarchical follicles in the Zi geese (Ansercygnoides)

Abstract

The aims of the current study were to investigate the morphological changes in the granulosa cell and theca cell layers and to determine the spatio-temporal expression levels of polyamine-related genes at varying sizes in diameter of the prehierarchical follicles during ovary development. In this current study,H&E staining was used to observe the thickness of the granulosa cells layer and theca cells layer of the prehierarchical follicles, both in which middle white follicles (MWF) were predominantly high. The quantitative mRNA expression of Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), Ornithine decarboxylase antizyme2 (OAZ2), Spermidine synthase (SRM), Spermine synthase (SMS) and Spermine oxidase (SMOX) was revealed by Real-Time Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) with different expression levels at each stage of the prehierachical follicular development.The results indicated that polyamine metabolism-related genes were implicated in cell proliferation, differentiation and growth of Zi geese prehierarchical follicles.