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Updated: May 21, 2026

A Modified Co-Culture System for Understanding Granulosa-Theca Cell Interactions in the Bovine Ovary
Published on: September 19, 2025
Vasoactive intestinal peptide suppresses ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis in vitro by up-regulating Bcl-2 gene
Shujuan Wang1, Guiqiong Liu, Sibtain Ahmad
1College of Animal Science, Huazhong Agricultural University, Hubei, Wuhan 430070, China.
Abstract:
Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is an endogenous peptide showing a rich profile of biological activities. Within ovaries, VIP directly regulates the ovarian functions, including granulosa cells (GCs) development. In the present study, the effects of VIP on proliferation and apoptosis in goose granulosa cells were demonstrated and its underlying mechanism investigated. A strategy of RNAi-mediated "gene silencing" of Bcl-2 (RV-Bcl-2), over-expression of Bcl-2 (JLV-Bcl-2) synthesis, and exogenous VIP was used to treat goose GCs. The results showed the amounts of Bcl-2 protein were negatively correlated with apoptosis of goose GCs in all experimental groups. Compared with other control groups, apoptosis was decreased in goose GCs following treatment of 100 nM VIP, and the amount of Bcl-2 protein was increased (P < 0.05) increased. However, VIP failed to exert an effect on cell proliferation (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the exogenous VIP plays an important role in inhibiting apoptosis of goose GCs via inducing Bcl-2 gene expression.
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