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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
07:03
A Modified Co-Culture System for Understanding Granulosa-Theca Cell Interactions in the Bovine Ovary
Published on: September 19, 2025
A decrease in glucose supply promotes cell death in bovine corpus luteum
Aoi Jimbo1, Hiroki Hasegawa2, Masamichi Yamashita3
1Field Science Center, Faculty of Agriculture, Tottori University, Tottori 680-8553, Japan.
The Journal of Reproduction and Development
|July 20, 2026
Summary
Low glucose levels trigger apoptosis in bovine corpus luteum (CL) cells, a key process in CL regression. This occurs via increased expression of FAS and CASP3, suggesting glucose supply is vital for CL cell survival.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Cellular biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Glucose (GLU) is vital for mammalian cell energy and survival.
- Depletion of glucose can trigger apoptosis, a programmed cell death pathway.
- The bovine corpus luteum (CL) undergoes regression, a process potentially involving cell death.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if decreased glucose levels induce apoptotic cell death in bovine corpus luteum (CL) cells.
- To explore the mechanisms by which low glucose might trigger apoptosis in CL cells.
- To examine the role of apoptosis-regulating factors in glucose-depleted CL cells.
Main Methods:
- Culturing bovine mid-luteal cells in glucose-free medium.
- Assessing cell viability and the effect of glucose supplementation.
- Measuring the mRNA expression of apoptosis-regulating factors (FAS, BAX, BCL2, CASP8, CASP3).
- Inhibiting glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) using cytochalasin B or STF-31.
Main Results:
- Glucose depletion induced significant cell death in bovine mid-luteal cells.
- Cell viability was restored in a dose-dependent manner with glucose supplementation.
- Culturing without glucose increased the expression of FAS and CASP3 mRNA.
- Inhibition of GLUT1 also led to cell death, even in the presence of glucose.
Conclusions:
- A decrease in glucose supply, such as during luteolysis due to reduced blood flow to the CL, can promote apoptosis.
- This apoptotic process in the bovine CL may be mediated by the stimulation of FAS and CASP3 expression.
- Glucose availability is critical for maintaining the viability of bovine corpus luteum cells.
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