Stimulatory effect of luteinizing hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1, and epidermal growth factor on vascular endothelial growth factor production in cultured bubaline luteal cells.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the temporal (24, 48, and 72 hours) and dose-dependent (0, 5, 10, and 100 ng/mL of LH, insulin-like growth factor 1 [IGF-1], and EGF) in vitro expression and secretion patterns of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in luteal cell culture during different stages of estrous cycle in water buffaloes. Corpus luteum samples from ovaries of early luteal phase (ELP; Days 1-4), midluteal phase (Days 5-10), and late luteal phase (Days 11-16) were collected from a local slaughterhouse. The samples were then processed and cultured in (serum containing) appropriate cell culture medium and incubated separately with three factors (LH, IGF-1, or EGF) at the previously mentioned three dose-duration combinations. At the end of the respective incubation periods, VEGF was assayed in the spent culture medium by ELISA, whereas the cultured cells were used for VEGF mRNA expression by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results of the present study disclosed dose- and time-dependent stimulatory effects of LH, IGF-1, and EGF on VEGF production in bubaline luteal cells. The VEGF expression and secretion from the cultured luteal cells were highest during the ELP, intermediate in the midluteal phase, and lowest in the late luteal phase of the estrous cycle for all the three tested factors. Comparison of the results of the three treatments depicted EGF as the most potent stimulating factor followed by IGF-1 and LH. Immunocytochemistry findings in luteal cell culture of ELP agreed with the VEGF expression and secretion. In conclusion, mRNA expression, protein secretion, and immunolocalization of VEGF data clearly indicated for the first time that LH, IGF-1, and EGF play an important role in stimulating luteal angiogenesis in buffalo CL. The highest expression and secretion of VEGF in the ELP might be associated with the development of blood vessels in early growth of CL, which in turn gets augmented by the aforementioned factors emphasizing their regulatory role in luteal angiogenesis. Further studies are however necessary to divulge more information on other factors which regulate VEGF secretion in bubaline CL and the synergistic effects existing among such growth factors.

Stimulatory effect of vascular endothelial growth factor on progesterone production and survivability of cultured bubaline luteal cells.

The objectives of the present study were to investigate the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on progesterone (P4) synthesis in cultured luteal cells from different stages of the estrous cycle and on expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STARD1), cytochrome P450 cholesterol side chain cleavage (CYP11A1) and 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD3B), antiapoptotic gene PCNA, and proapoptotic gene BAX in luteal cells obtained from mid-luteal phase (MLP) of estrous cycle in buffalo. Corpus luteum samples from the early luteal phase (ELP; day 1st-4th; n=4), MLP (day 5th-10th; n=4), and the late luteal phase (LLP; day 11th-16th; n=4) of oestrous cycle were obtained from a slaughterhouse. Luteal cell cultures were treated with VEGF (0, 1, 10 and 100 ng/ml) for 24, 48 and 72h. Progesterone was assessed by RIA, while mRNA expression was determined by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Results indicated a dose- and time-dependent stimulatory effect of VEGF on P4 synthesis and expression of steroidogenic enzymes. Moreover, VEGF treatment led to an increase in PCNA expression and decrease in BAX expression. In summary, these findings suggest that VEGF acts locally in the bubaline CL to modulate steroid hormone synthesis and cell survivability, which indicates that this factor has an important role as a regulator of CL development and function in buffalo.

Expression and localization of ghrelin and its functional receptor in corpus luteum during different stages of estrous cycle and the modulatory role of ghrelin on progesterone production in cultured luteal cells in buffalo.

Evidence obtained during recent years provided has insight into the regulation of corpus luteum (CL) development, function, and regression by locally produced ghrelin. The present study was carried out to evaluate the expression and localization of ghrelin and its receptor (GHS-R1a) in bubaline CL during different stages of the estrous cycle and investigate the role of ghrelin on progesterone (P4) production along with messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of P4 synthesis intermediates. The mRNA and protein expression of ghrelin and GHS-R1a was significantly greater in mid- and late luteal phases. Both factors were localized in luteal cells, exclusively in the cytoplasm. Immunoreactivity of ghrelin and GHS-R1a was greater during mid- and late luteal phases. Luteal cells were cultured in vitro and treated with ghrelin each at 1, 10, and 100 ng/mL concentrations for 48 h after obtaining 75% to 80% confluence. At a dose of 1 ng/mL, there was no significant difference in P4 secretion between control and treatment group. At 10 and 100 ng/mL, there was a decrease (P < 0.05) in P4 concentration, cytochrome P45011A1 (CYP11A1), and 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase mRNA expression and localization. There was no difference in mRNA expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein between control and treatment group. In summary, the present study provided evidence that ghrelin and its receptor are expressed in bubaline CL and are localized exclusively in the cell cytoplasm and ghrelin has an inhibitory effect on P4 production in buffalo.

Luteinizing hormone, insulin like growth factor-1, and epidermal growth factor stimulate vascular endothelial growth factor production in cultured bubaline granulosa cells.

The objective of this study was to characterize in vitro expression and secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in bubaline granulosa cells (GC), grown in serum containing media supplemented with luteinizing hormone (LH), insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and epidermal growth factor (EGF) at three different doses and time durations. GCs were collected from ovarian follicles of varying diameters [Gp-I (small), 4-6 mm; Gp-II (medium), 7-9 mm; Gp-III (large), 10-13 mm; Gp-IV (pre-ovulatory), >13 mm]. In general, each of the three treatments resulted in a dose as well as time dependent increase in the mRNA expression and secretion of VEGF in the cultured GCs of Gp-IV follicles. These results were well supported by our observations on immunocytochemistry in Gp IV granulosa cell culture (GCC). We also looked into the expression dynamics of an anti-apoptotic factor--proliferating cellular antigen (PCNA) and a pro-apoptotic factor--Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX) in GCs of Gp IV follicles on treatments with LH, IGF-1, and EGF to evaluate their cytoprotective/anti-apoptotic property. Relative expressions of PCNA and BAX showed a mutually opposite trend with the PCNA expression increasing and BAX expression decreasing with increase in dose and time to reach the zenith (P<0.05) and nadir (P<0.05) at the highest dose(s) at the maximum time duration (72 h) for PCNA and BAX respectively on treatment with all the three factors. Thus, it can be concluded that LH, IGF-1, and EGF treatments have a cytoprotective/anti-apoptotic effect and stimulate VEGF production in granulosa cells of bubaline pre-ovulatory follicles.

Expression and localization of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors in the corpus luteum during oestrous cycle in water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis).

The aim of this study was to document the expression and localization of VEGF system comprising of VEGF isoforms (VEGF 120, VEGF 164 and VEGF 188) and their receptors (VEGFR1 and VEGFR2) in buffalo corpus luteum (CL) obtained from different stages of the oestrous cycle. Real-time RT-PCR (qPCR), Western blot and immunohistochemistry were applied to investigate mRNA expression, protein expression and localization of examined factors. In general, all the components of VEGF system (the VEGF isoforms and their receptors) were found in the water buffalo CL during the oestrous cycle. The mRNA as well as protein expression of VEGF system was highest during the early and mid-luteal phase, which later steadily decreased (p < 0.05) after day 10 to reach the lowest level in regressed CL. As demonstrated by immunohistochemistry, VEGF protein was localized predominantly in luteal cells; however, VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 were localized in luteal cells as well as in endothelial cells. In conclusion, the dynamics of expression and localization of VEGF system in buffalo corpora lutea during the luteal phase were demonstrated in this study, indicating the possible role of VEGF system in the regulation of luteal angiogenesis and proliferation of luteal as well as endothelial cells through their non-angiogenic function.

Amount of mRNA and localization of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors in the ovarian follicle during estrous cycle of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).

The objective of the present study was to characterize the temporal patterns of gene expression for vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) and VEGF receptors during ovarian follicular growth, development and maturation in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Follicles were classified into four groups according to size and the concentration of estradiol-17ß (E2) in follicular fluid (FF): Group I (small), 4-6mm diameter, E2>0.5ng/ml of FF; Group II (medium), 7-9mm, E2=0.5-5ng/ml; Group III (large), 10-13mm, E2=5-40ng/ml; Group IV(pre-ovulatory), >13mm, E2>180ng/ml). The mRNAs for FSH receptor (FSHR), LH receptor (LHR) and aromatase (CYP19A1) in theca interna and granulosa layers were also determined, further defining the maturational state of each group. The relative expression of VEGF isoforms (120, 164, and 188 amino acid forms), as determined by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), increased during follicular development in both the granulosa (P<0.05) and theca layers. Relative amounts of VEGF receptors (VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2) were least in granulosa cell (GC) and theca interna cell (TI) layers of Gp-I follicles. The amount of VEGFR-2 transcripts increased in the granulosa layer throughout development, reaching a maximum in Gp-IV follicles (P<0.05). The relative amount of VEGF isoforms and receptors in follicle lysates, as determined by western blotting, increased throughout follicular maturation to maximum amounts in pre-ovulatory follicles. Immunohistochemistry revealed a clear localization of VEGF isoforms and receptors in both steroidogenic cell types (GC and TI) and of VEGF receptors in the vascular endothelial cells of the thecal blood vessels. The most intense immunofluorescence was evident in pre-ovulatory follicles compared to other smaller follicles. These data provide evidence that the VEGF may contribute to the extensive capillary proliferation associated with the increase in size, selection, and maturation of the pre-ovulatory follicle. This may facilitate follicle maturation by enhancing the supply of nutrients, hormones, and other essential blood-borne signals to the follicle. VEGF may also promote maturation of follicles through recently recognized, non-angiogenic mechanisms.

Effect of extended colostrum feeding on the plasma profile of insulin, thyroid hormones and blood glucose of crossbred pre-ruminant calves.

In the present study, the effect of extended colostrum feeding on certain physiological and endocrinological parameters of pre-ruminant crossbred calves from birth to one month of age was investigated. Estimation of blood glucose level, plasma concentration of anabolic hormones as thyroid hormones and insulin were performed and compared with control calves (G-I) which were fed with colostrum for the first three days of age and thereafter with the whole milk, till 30 days of age. There was steady increase in the blood glucose level (BGL) from birth to one month of age in both groups of calves, with the rise being slightly higher in the calves of G-II group, which is attributed to the action of glucagon by gluconeogenesis especially in the neonates. Intake and absorption of increased amounts of dietary proteins and amino acids in colostrum stimulated a significant increase in the plasma insulin concentration in G-II calves compared to G-I calves, over and above the accelerated tissue development of pancreas. Fluctuating levels of thyroid hormones in plasma of calves of both the groups suggested that the concentration of thyroid hormones were not influenced either by extended colostrum or whole milk feeding in calves, but rather followed a diurnal rhythm.