Project description:The ovary has specialized stromal compartments, including the tunica albuginea, interstitial stroma and theca interna, which develops concurrently with the follicular antrum. To characterize the molecular determinants of these compartments, stroma adjacent to preantral follicles (pre-theca), interstitium and tunica albuginea were laser microdissected (n = 4 per group) and theca interna was dissected from bovine antral follicles (n = 6).
2019-09-17 | GSE137471 | GEO
Project description:RNA-seq for chicken pre-hierarchical and hierarchical follicles granulosa cells
Project description:The ovary is perhaps the most dynamic organ in the human body, only rivaled by the uterus. The molecular mechanisms that regulate follicular growth and regression, ensuring ovarian tissue homeostasis, remain elusive. We have performed single-cell RNA-sequencing using human adult ovaries to provide a map of the molecular signature of growing and regressing follicular populations. We have identified different types of granulosa and theca cells and detected local production of components of the complement system by (atretic) theca cells and stromal cells. We also have detected a mixture of adaptive and innate immune cells, as well as several types of endothelial and smooth muscle cells to aid the remodeling process. Our results highlight the relevance of mapping whole adult organs at the single-cell level and reflect ongoing efforts to map the human body. The association between complement system and follicular remodeling may provide key insights in reproductive biology and (in)fertility.
Project description:Prenatal testosterone treated sheep, similar to PCOS women, manifest reduced cyclicity, functional hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovary (PCO) morphology. The PCO morphology results from increased follicular recruitment and persistence of antral follicles, consequence of reduced follicular growth and atresia, and driven by cell-specific gene expression changes that are poorly understood. Therefore, utilizing RNA sequencing, cell-specific transcriptional changes were assessed in laser capture microdissection isolated antral follicular granulosa and theca cells from 21 months-of- age control and prenatal testosterone treated sheep.
Project description:Follicular fluid (FF) provides a complex and suitable environment for oocyte maturation and contains several molecules secreted from oocyte and granulosa, cumulus, and theca cells. In addition, extracellular vesicles (EV) exist in various body fluids and are known as the cargo of several mRNAs, proteins, and miRNAs to communicate from cell to cell. In this study, we investigated the miRNA profiles of FF-derived EVs.
Project description:The Objective of this study was to establish global gene expression profiles associated with different stages of dominant follicle development in the horse. This was done by collecting ovaries at different stages of an ovulatory follicular wave, when the dominant follicle reached 22 mm (early dominant, ED), 33 mm (late dominant, LD) and 34 h after an i.v. injection of crude equine gonadotropins (CEG; 15 mg i.v.) when the largest follicle reached > 33 mm (preovulatory stage, PO). RNA was then separately collected from granulosa cells and theca-rich follicular wall fractions and was hybridized to the Agilent Horse Gene Expression Microarray. Gene expression was compared between ED and LD and between LD and PO stages within each of granulosa cells and theca walls. Significantly larger numbers of genes were differentially expressed in granulosa cells than in theca walls throughout development, and between LD and PO follicles than between ED and LF follicles. The most salient features were the downregulation of cell cycle genes in granulosa cells during both the ED-LD and LD-PO transitions and the upregulation of genes associated with inflammation, immunity, extracellular matrix remodelling and protection aganints toxic insult in both GCs and TCs, particularly during the LD-PO transition.
Project description:The Objective of this study was to establish global gene expression profiles associated with different stages of dominant follicle development in the horse. This was done by collecting ovaries at different stages of an ovulatory follicular wave, when the dominant follicle reached 22 mm (early dominant, ED), 33 mm (late dominant, LD) and 34 h after an i.v. injection of crude equine gonadotropins (CEG; 15 mg i.v.) when the largest follicle reached > 33 mm (preovulatory stage, PO). RNA was then separately collected from granulosa cells and theca-rich follicular wall fractions and was hybridized to the Agilent Horse Gene Expression Microarray. Gene expression was compared between ED and LD and between LD and PO stages within each of granulosa cells and theca walls. Significantly larger numbers of genes were differentially expressed in granulosa cells than in theca walls throughout development, and between LD and PO follicles than between ED and LF follicles. The most salient features were the downregulation of cell cycle genes in granulosa cells during both the ED-LD and LD-PO transitions and the upregulation of genes associated with inflammation, immunity, extracellular matrix remodelling and protection aganints toxic insult in both GCs and TCs, particularly during the LD-PO transition. Five to nine biological replicates per cell type and developmental stage (total of 34 samples) were used in a single dye experiment. Samples were distributed among slides so that each experimental groupeach was represented at least once in each slide. For each gene, mean normalized intensities (n= 5 biological replicates/group) were compared between follicle stages (ED-LD and LD-PO) within each cell type (GC and TC).
Project description:The differences in reproductive processes at the molecular level between viviparous and oviparous animals are evident, and the site in the ovary that synthesizes sex hormones (androgens and oestrogens) and the trends for enriching sex hormones during follicle development in chickens are different from those in mammals, suggesting that the effect of sex hormones on follicle development in chickens is probably different from that in viviparous animals. To explore the specific role of androgen receptors (ARs) on chicken follicular development, we matched the correspondence of follicular development stages among chickens, humans, cows and identified chicken-specific genes related to follicle development (GAL-SPGs) by comparing follicle development-related genes and their biological functions among species (chickens, humans, and cows). A comparison of the core transcription factor regulatory network of granulosa cells (or ovaries) based on super enhancers among species (chicken, human, and mouse) revealed that AR is a core transcriptional regulator specific to chickens. In vivo experiments showed that inhibition of AR significantly reduced the number of syf (selected stage follicles) in chickens and decreased the expression of GAL-SPGs in F5 follicles, while in vitro experiments showed that inhibition of AR expression in chicken granulosa cells (GCs) significantly down-regulated the expression levels of GAL-SPGs, indicating that AR could regulate follicle selection through chicken-specific genes related to follicle development. A comparison among species (77 vertebrates) of the conserved genomic regions, where chicken super-enhancers are located, revealed that the chicken AR super-enhancer region is conserved in birds, suggesting that the role of AR in follicle selection may be widespread in birds. In summary, we found that AR can regulate follicle selection through chicken-specific genes related to follicle development, which also emphasizes the important role of AR in follicle selection in chickens and provides a new perspective for understanding the unique process of follicle development in chickens.