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Culture and Co-Culture of Mouse Ovaries and Ovarian Follicles
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Culture and Co-Culture of Mouse Ovaries and Ovarian Follicles

Published on: March 17, 2015

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Synthesis and Membrane Transport of Serotonin in the Developing Ovarian Follicle of Mouse

D A Nikishin1,2, N M Alyoshina3, Y B Shmukler4

  • 1Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Vavilova 26, Moscow, 119334, Russia. denisnikishin@gmail.com.

Doklady. Biochemistry and Biophysics
|March 15, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Serotonin synthesis is absent in developing mouse ovarian follicles, but the serotonin transporter (Sert) is present in follicular cells and oocytes, enabling serotonin uptake.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Serotonin plays a role in various physiological processes, including reproduction.
  • The synthesis and transport of serotonin within the ovarian follicle are not fully understood.
  • Investigating serotonin's role in ovarian follicle development is crucial for reproductive health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and activity of enzymes involved in serotonin synthesis within mouse ovarian follicles.
  • To determine the expression of the serotonin transporter (Sert) in ovarian follicular cells and oocytes.
  • To assess the functional capacity for serotonin synthesis and transport in developing ovarian follicles.

Main Methods:

  • Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR) was used to detect mRNA expression of serotonin synthesis enzymes (Tph1, Tph2, Ddc) and the serotonin transporter (Sert).
  • Oocytes and follicular cells were isolated from primary multilayer ovarian follicles of mice.
  • In vitro follicle culture experiments were performed to assess serotonin synthesis from 5-hydroxytryptophan and membrane transport activity.

Main Results:

  • Tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (Tph1) mRNA was detected in follicular cells, while Tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (Tph2) mRNA was found in oocytes.
  • Dopamine decarboxylase (Ddc) expression was absent in both cell types, indicating no serotonin synthesis capacity.
  • The membrane serotonin transporter (Sert) was expressed in both follicular cells and oocytes, with in vitro studies confirming membrane transport activity in oocytes.

Conclusions:

  • Developing mouse ovarian follicles lack the enzymatic machinery for serotonin synthesis.
  • Serotonin uptake into oocytes and follicular cells occurs via the membrane serotonin transporter (Sert).
  • These findings clarify the mechanisms of serotonin handling within the ovarian follicle, with implications for understanding reproductive processes.

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