Gonadotrophin responsiveness, aromatase activity and insulin-like growth factor binding protein content of bovine ovarian follicles during the first follicular wave

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the function of granulosa cells and hormone concentrations in follicular fluid in bovine ovarian follicles during selection of the first dominant follicle. Ovaries were obtained from beef heifers on days 1-5 after ovulation: follicles > 4 mm in diameter were dissected and follicular fluid and granulosa cells were collected from individual follicles. Oestradiol production by granulosa cells after culture with testosterone was used to determine aromatase activity and responsiveness to gonadotrophins was determined by cAMP production after culture with FSH or LH. Concentrations of oestradiol, progesterone and insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs)-4 and -5 were measured in follicular fluid. Follicles were classified as largest or smaller (days 1 and 2), or dominant or subordinate (days 3-5). Aromatase activity was greater in granulosa cells from the largest follicle than in granulosa cells from smaller follicles on days 1, 3, 4 and 5 (P < 0.05). Responsiveness to LH was not detected in granulosa cells on day 1, but from day 2 to day 5 cells from the largest follicle were significantly more responsive than cells from smaller follicles (P < 0.05). Responsiveness to FSH was detected in granulosa cells from all follicles from day 1 onwards and did not differ between cells from the largest follicle or smaller follicles on any day. Follicular fluid concentrations of oestradiol and the ratio of oestradiol:progesterone were greater and concentrations of IGFBP-4 and -5 were lower in the largest follicle than in smaller follicles from day 2 to day 5 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, selection of the dominant follicle is associated with increased granulosa cell aromatase activity followed by increased cAMP response to LH and follicular fluid oestradiol concentrations, and decreased follicular fluid concentrations of IGFBP-4 and -5 within 2 days after ovulation.

Plasma and Follicular Fluid Fatty Acid Profiles in Dairy Cows

“…The precursor for all steroid and androgen/oestrogen hormones is cholesterol and its utilization for steroidogenesis affects the estradiol‐to‐progesterone ratio in the follicular fluid, which is associated with follicular dominance (Rhodes et al. 2001).…”

Gene Expression Profiling of Preovulatory Follicle in the Buffalo Cow: Effects of Increased IGF-I Concentration on Periovulatory Events

“…Several studies have reported identification of differentially expressed genes in the dominant follicle of cattle [2]–[4]. Around the time of deviation, the dominant follicle acquires increased LH receptor (LHR) expression and aromatase activity in granulosa cells (GCs) as well as augmentation in theca cell androgen production [5], [6]. Associated with the process of selection, a concordant increase in estradiol (E 2 ) concentration occurs in the dominant follicle leading to gonadotropin surge necessary for ovulation [7]–[9].…”

Lipid Transport in the Developing Bovine Follicle: Messenger RNA Expression Increases for Selective Uptake Receptors and Decreases for Endocytosis Receptors

“…Differences between steroidogenic ability of the different follicles control which will undergo selection, which is determined by the highest estradiol-to-progesterone ratio in follicular fluid [2]. Cholesterol obtained from plasma is transported to the inner mitochondrial membrane in ovarian cells where it is cleaved initially by the cytochrome P450 side chain cleavage enzyme complex.…”