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Updated: Sep 18, 2025
Bovine Ovarian Cortex Tissue Culture
Published on: January 14, 2021
Expression of growth factors in buffalo ovarian tissue across different follicular developmental stages
Seham Samir Soliman1, Marwa El-Sheikh2, Dalia A Taha3
1Department of Animal Reproduction and Artificial Insemination, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre (NRC), Dokki, Cairo, 12622, Egypt. sehamsamir81@yahoo.com.
Background:
In assisted reproduction, poor ovarian response to stimulation negatively affects oocyte yield and is influenced by genetic factors.
Objective:
This study aimed to quantify the mRNA expression of key growth markers (BMP15, GDF9, OCT4, and FGFR2) in ovarian tissue according to the developmental stages of the follicle.
Methods:
Samples were collected from ovarian tissue. Gene expression levels were analyzed using RT-qPCR. In addition, ELISA was used to measure the concentrations of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), along with reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) as oxidative stress markers.
Results:
OCT4 expression was similar in preantral and small follicles but significantly upregulated in medium and large follicles. GDF9 expression and SOD activity were highest in small follicles (P < 0.05). BMP15 levels were significantly elevated in small and medium follicles compared to preantral follicles but remained unchanged in large follicles (P < 0.05). FGFR2 expression increased progressively with follicle size (P < 0.05). GPx activity was directly proportional to follicle size, with the lowest levels in preantral follicles. Conversely, ROS, MDA, and CAT concentrations decreased as follicle size increased.
Conclusion:
These findings provide insights into the molecular regulation of follicular development in buffalo, which could aid in improving reproductive efficiency in assisted reproduction programs.
