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Leptin decreases apoptosis and promotes the activation of primordial follicles through the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B pathway in cultured ovine ovarian tissue

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 April 2021

T.J.S. Macedo
Affiliation:
Nucleus of Biotechnology Applied to Ovarian Follicle Development, Federal University of São Francisco Valley, PetrolinaPE, Brazil
V.G. Menezes
Affiliation:
Nucleus of Biotechnology Applied to Ovarian Follicle Development, Federal University of São Francisco Valley, PetrolinaPE, Brazil
R.S. Barberino
Affiliation:
Nucleus of Biotechnology Applied to Ovarian Follicle Development, Federal University of São Francisco Valley, PetrolinaPE, Brazil
R.L.S. Silva
Affiliation:
Nucleus of Biotechnology Applied to Ovarian Follicle Development, Federal University of São Francisco Valley, PetrolinaPE, Brazil
B.B. Gouveia
Affiliation:
Nucleus of Biotechnology Applied to Ovarian Follicle Development, Federal University of São Francisco Valley, PetrolinaPE, Brazil
A.P.O. Monte
Affiliation:
Nucleus of Biotechnology Applied to Ovarian Follicle Development, Federal University of São Francisco Valley, PetrolinaPE, Brazil
T.L.B.G. Lins
Affiliation:
Nucleus of Biotechnology Applied to Ovarian Follicle Development, Federal University of São Francisco Valley, PetrolinaPE, Brazil
J.M.S. Santos
Affiliation:
Nucleus of Biotechnology Applied to Ovarian Follicle Development, Federal University of São Francisco Valley, PetrolinaPE, Brazil
M.É.S. Bezerra
Affiliation:
Nucleus of Biotechnology Applied to Ovarian Follicle Development, Federal University of São Francisco Valley, PetrolinaPE, Brazil
A. Wischral
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife-PE, Brazil
M.A.A. Queiroz
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Bromatology and Animal Nutrition, Federal University of São Francisco Valley, Petrolina, PE, Brazil
G.G.L. Araújo
Affiliation:
Embrapa Semi-Arid, Petrolina, PE, Brazil
A.M. Batista
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife-PE, Brazil
M.H.T. Matos*
Affiliation:
Nucleus of Biotechnology Applied to Ovarian Follicle Development, Federal University of São Francisco Valley, PetrolinaPE, Brazil
*
Author for correspondence: M.H.T. Matos. Universidade Federal do Vale do São Francisco (UNIVASF), Campus de Ciências Agrárias. Colegiado de Medicina Veterinária, Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Citologia e Histologia, Rodovia BR 407, Km 12, Lote 543, Projeto de Irrigação Nilo Coelho, S/N, C1, CEP: 56300–990, PetrolinaPE, Brasil. Tel: +55 87 2101 4839. E-mail: helena.matos@univasf.edu.br

Summary

This study evaluated the effects of leptin on primordial follicle survival and activation after in vitro culture of ovine ovarian tissue and if leptin acts through the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) pathway. Ovarian fragments were fixed for histology (fresh control) or cultured for 7 days in control medium (α-MEM+) alone or supplemented with leptin (1, 5, 10, 25 or 50 ng/ml). Follicle morphology, activation and apoptosis were analyzed. Next, the fragments were cultured in the medium that showed the best results in the absence or the presence of the PI3K inhibitor (LY294002), and immunohistostaining of p-Akt protein was assessed. After culture, the percentage of normal follicles decreased (P < 0.05) in all treatments compared with the fresh control. Moreover, control medium and 1 ng/ml leptin had similar (P > 0.05) percentages of normal follicles, which were significantly higher than those in other treatments. However, culture with 1 ng/ml leptin maintained apoptosis similarly (P > 0.05) to that of the fresh control and lower (P < 0.05) than that in α-MEM+. Leptin did not influence follicle activation (P > 0.05) compared with the control medium (α-MEM+). Culture in 1 ng/ml leptin with LY294002 decreased the normal follicles and increased apoptosis, inhibited follicle activation (P < 0.05), and reduced p-Akt immunostaining, compared with the medium containing 1 ng/ml leptin without PI3K inhibitor. In conclusion, leptin at 1 ng/ml reduces apoptosis and promotes the activation of primordial follicles compared with the fresh control after in vitro culture of ovine ovarian tissue possibly through the PI3K/Akt pathway.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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