Project description:The ovarian function decreases in parallel with aging. So do the quantity of follicles, which is about 1-2 million at birth, while only about 1000 primordial follicles are left at menopause. Folliculogenesis is vital for ovary function, no matter the synthesis of female hormones or ovulation, yet the mechanisms for its changing with increasing age are not fully understood. To further understand the age-related molecular changes in the process of folliculogenesis, we performed microarray gene expression profile analysis using total RNA extracted from young (9 weeks old) and old (32 weeks old) mouse ovarian secondary follicles. The results of our current microarray study revealed that there were 371 (≥2 fold, q-value ≤0.05) genes differentially expressed in which 174 genes were up-regulated and 197 genes were down-regulated in old mouse ovarian secondary follicles compared to young mouse ovarian secondary follicles. The gene ontology and KEGG pathway analysis of differentially expressed genes uncovered critical biological functions such as immune system process, aging, transcription, DNA replication, DNA repair, protein stabilization and apoptotic process were affected in the process of aging. The considerable changes in gene expression profile may have an adverse influence on follicle quality and folliculogenesis. Our study provided information on the processes that may contribute to age-related decline in ovarian function.
Project description:Compare gene expression in whole ovarian follicles from young (6-12 weeks) and old (14-17 months) mice. Whole follicles,consist of the oocyte and granulosa cells. As oocytes are very difficult to extract intact from old follicles due to fibrosis, whole follicles were sequenced instead, so that old and young could be properly compared. 2-3 follicles each were sequenced from 4 old mice and 5 young mice. Each sample has both single- and paired-end runs.
Project description:The early (primordial), middle and last stage ovarian follicles gestate important functionally changes during the whole growth phase. The primordial follicles establish the resting pool and keep silent until initiated growth. The middle stage follicles are to be destined for dominance or atresia. And the last stage fllicles develop till ovulation.We used microarrays to detail the global programme of gene expression underlying cellularisation and identified distinct classes of up-regulated genes during this process. Gene expression profiles of ovarian follicles during their growth phase were revealed in genome wide. Experiment Overall Design: We sought to obtain general expression profiles of ovarian follicles during their growth phase. Ovarian follicles in successive developmental stages were isolated from ovaries of prepubertal gilts for RNA extraction and hybridization on Affymetrix microarrays. To that end, we isolated follicles according to morphological criteria and diameter sizes at three time-points: primordial follicles (P), middle stage follicleS (M) and the last stage follicles (L).
Project description:The early (primordial), middle and last stage ovarian follicles gestate important functionally changes during the whole growth phase. The primordial follicles establish the resting pool and keep silent until initiated growth. The middle stage follicles are to be destined for dominance or atresia. And the last stage fllicles develop till ovulation.We used microarrays to detail the global programme of gene expression underlying cellularisation and identified distinct classes of up-regulated genes during this process. Gene expression profiles of ovarian follicles during their growth phase were revealed in genome wide. Keywords: time course
Project description:The ovarian cortical reserve of follicles is vital for fertility. Some medical treatments are toxic to follicles, leading to premature ovarian insufficiency. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation is an established method to preserve fertility in adults and even applied in prepuberty despite unproven efficacy. Here, we analyze transcriptomes of 120 cortical follicles from children and adults for detailed comparison. We discover heterogeneity with two main types of follicles in both age groups: one with expected oocyte-granulosa profiles and another with predicted role in signaling. Transcriptional changes during growth to the secondary stage are similar overall in children and adults, but variations related to extracellular matrix, theca cells, and miRNA profiles are found. Notably, cyclophosphamide dose correlates with interferon signaling in child follicles. Additionally, morphology alone is insufficient for follicle categorization suggesting a need for additional markers. Marker genes for early follicle activation are determined. These findings will help refine follicular classification and fertility preservation techniques across critical ages.
Project description:A microarray study to compare gene expression during ovarian follicle development to better understand transcriptional changes during follicular growth. Multi-layered secondary follicles (150-180 µm in diameter) were mechanically isolated from ovaries of 16-day old CD-1 mice and individually encapsulated in 0.5% alginate. Follicles were culture for up to 8 days. Day 0 samples correspond to follicles that were isolated and immediately frozen.
Project description:Ovarian follicle selection plays an important role in the reproduction of sexually mature hens, and this process can directly affect the growth and development of follicles until the final ovulation, thus affecting laying performance and fecundity of hens. In the laying hen ovary, one follicle from a cohort of 8-13 follicles of 6-8 mm in diameter is selected daily to enter the preovulatory hierarchy. In this study, we globally compared the proteomes of chicken ovarian follicles before and after follicle selection. A total of 5883 proteins were identified in the proteomes of chicken 6-8 mm prehierarchical follicles and 12-15 mm hierarchical follicles. 259 proteins are differentially expressed in 12-15 mm hierarchical follicle compared with prehierarchical follicle, of which 175 proteins are up-regulated and 84 proteins are down-regulated. The Gene Ontology enrichment of differentially expressed proteins revealed enriched GO terms for peptidase activity, acrosin binding for their molecular function and in the process of negative regulation of peptidase activity, and regulation of fertilization. The KEGG pathway analysis indicated that differentially expressed proteins were enriched for ribosome, lysine degradation, and endocytosis pathways. Nine differentially expressed proteins including vitellogenin-1 were validated with Parallel Reaction Monitoring (PRM) analysis, and their functions were discussed. This study provided a global proteomic view of the development of chicken ovarian follicles, which will serve as a foundation for understanding the molecular signatures and pathways of follicle selection in hens.
Project description:The ovarian cortical reserve of follicles is vital for fertility. Some medical treatments are toxic to follicles, leading to premature ovarian insufficiency. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation is an established method to preserve fertility in adults and even applied in prepuberty despite unproven efficacy. Here, we analyze transcriptomes of 120 cortical follicles from children and adults for detailed comparison. We discover heterogeneity with two main types of follicles in both age groups: one with expected oocyte-granulosa profiles and another with predicted role in signaling. Transcriptional changes during growth to the secondary stage are similar overall in children and adults, but variations related to extracellular matrix, theca cells, and miRNA profiles are found. Notably, cyclophosphamide dose correlates with interferon signaling in child follicles. Additionally, morphology alone is insufficient for follicle categorization suggesting a need for additional markers. Marker genes for early follicle activation are determined. These findings will help refine follicular classification and fertility preservation techniques across critical ages.
Project description:The ovarian cortical reserve of follicles is vital for fertility. Some medical treatments are toxic to follicles, leading to premature ovarian insufficiency. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation is an established method to preserve fertility in adults and even applied in prepuberty despite unproven efficacy. Here, we analyze transcriptomes of 120 cortical follicles from children and adults for detailed comparison. We discover heterogeneity with two main types of follicles in both age groups: one with expected oocyte-granulosa profiles and another with predicted role in signaling. Transcriptional changes during growth to the secondary stage are similar overall in children and adults, but variations related to extracellular matrix, theca cells, and miRNA profiles are found. Notably, cyclophosphamide dose correlates with interferon signaling in child follicles. Additionally, morphology alone is insufficient for follicle categorization suggesting a need for additional markers. Marker genes for early follicle activation are determined. These findings will help refine follicular classification and fertility preservation techniques across critical ages.