Stimulation of ovarian follicle growth after AMPK inhibition

Previous studies showed that the protein kinase B (Akt)-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and Hippo signaling Yes-associated protein (YAP) pathways play important roles in promoting follicle growth. Additionally, other studies demonstrated that 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an upstream regulatory element of mTOR and YAP. Here, we used AMPK inhibitor (Compound C) to in vitro cultured ovaries from 10-day-old mice followed by in vivo grafting into adult hosts or to in situ treated ovaries of 3-week-old mice by intrabursal injection followed by gonadotropin stimulation. We found that the phosphorylation of ovarian mTOR and downstream proteins (ribosomal protein S6 (S6) and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4B (eIF4B)) was upregulated following Compound C administration, whereas tuberous sclerosis complex 2 (TSC2) phosphorylation was downregulated. Additionally, treatment with Compound C increased hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (Hif1a), vascular endothelial growth factor A (Vegfa), VEGF receptor 2 (Vegfr2) and connective tissue growth factor (Ctgf) mRNA levels. Furthermore, treatment of 10-day-old mice with Compound C promoted the growth of preantral and antral follicles accompanied by enhanced angiogenesis. In situ intrabursal injection with Compound C, followed by controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, increased the number of ovulated oocytes in 3-week-old mice, and these oocytes could be successfully fertilized, leading to the delivery of healthy pups. Our results demonstrated that treatment with AMPK inhibitor resulted in the activation of the mTOR signaling pathway, increases in Ctgf expression in mouse ovaries, stimulation of follicle development and promotion of ovarian angiogenesis for ovary growth.