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Domestic animal endocrinology2016; 59; 11-22; doi: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2016.10.004

Glucocorticoid metabolism in equine follicles and oocytes.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to determine whether (1) systemic and intrafollicular cortisol concentrations in horses are directly related and (2) supraphysiological levels of glucocorticoids affect in vitro maturation (IVM) rates of oocytes. Specifically, we studied the (1) changes in the intrafollicular cortisol and progesterone in context with granulosa cell gene expression during maturation of equine follicles (from 5-9 mm, 10-14 mm, 15-19 mm, 20-24 mm, and ≥25 mm in diameter) and (2) effects of cortisol supplementation on IVM rates and gene expression of equine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs). For these purposes, follicular fluid, granulosa cells, and COCs were collected from 12 mares (mean age 8.6 ± 0.5 yr) by transvaginal aspiration. Cortisol and progesterone concentrations in follicular fluid from follicles ≥25 mm were greater (P < 0.05) than in all other follicle classes and were positively correlated (r = 0.8; P 0.05). In granulosa cells, gene expression of NR3C1, HSD11B1, HSD11B2, and CYP21A2 did not differ (P > 0.05) among different follicle classes. Maturation rates were similar (P > 0.05) among groups, regardless of the cortisol concentration in the IVM medium. In cumulus cells, messenger RNA expression of genes involved in glucocorticoid mechanism and apoptosis was either increased (NR3C1 and BCL2) or decreased (HSD11B2) by treatment (P < 0.01). In oocytes, gene expression of maturation markers (BMP15 and GDF9) was affected (P < 0.001) by cortisol treatment. This study demonstrates the involvement of glucocorticoids in follicle and oocyte maturation and cortisol modulation by HSD11B2 in equine COCs. Our data provide further information for understanding the normal ovarian endocrine physiology which might in turn also help improve equine assisted reproduction techniques.
Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2016-10-29 PubMed ID: 27866059DOI: 10.1016/j.domaniend.2016.10.004Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research observes the role of glucocorticoids in the maturation of follicles and oocytes in horses, particularly with respect to changes in cortisol and progesterone levels, and the effects of cortisol supplementation on in vitro maturation rates.

Objective and Methodology

  • The study aimed to investigate two main aspects: the correlation between systemic and intrafollicular cortisol concentrations in horses, and the impact of elevated glucocorticoid levels on the in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes.
  • The changes in intrafollicular cortisol and progesterone, in connection with granulosa cell gene expression during the maturation of equine follicles of different sizes, were studied.
  • The effects of cortisol supplementation on IVM rates and gene expression of equine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were also evaluated.
  • Follicular fluid, granulosa cells, and COCs were gathered from 12 mares with a mean age of approximately 8.6 years, through transvaginal aspiration for this investigation.

Findings

  • Cortisol and progesterone concentrations in follicular fluid from follicles 25mm or larger displayed significantly higher levels than in other follicle classes and demonstrated a positive correlation.
  • No significant differences were discovered in plasma concentrations of cortisol and progesterone before and after follicle aspiration.
  • In granulosa cells, there were no significant changes in the gene expression of NR3C1, HSD11B1, HSD11B2, and CYP21A2 across different follicle classes.
  • The maturation rates were similar, regardless of the cortisol concentration in the IVM medium.
  • In cumulus cells, cortisol treatment resulted in increased or decreased expression of genes associated with glucocorticoid mechanism and apoptosis.
  • Expression of maturation markers in oocytes was influenced by cortisol treatment.

Conclusion

  • The research affirms the significance of glucocorticoids in the maturation of follicles and oocytes, and the modulation of cortisol by HSD11B2 in equine COCs.
  • The findings contribute relevant information for understanding the standard ovarian endocrine physiology, which might also enhance equine assisted reproduction techniques.

Cite This Article

APA
Scarlet D, Ille N, Ertl R, Alves BG, Gastal GDA, Paiva SO, Gastal MO, Gastal EL, Aurich C. (2016). Glucocorticoid metabolism in equine follicles and oocytes. Domest Anim Endocrinol, 59, 11-22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.domaniend.2016.10.004

Publication

Domestic animal endocrinology
ISSN: 1879-0054
NlmUniqueID: 8505191
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 59
Pages: 11-22
PII: S0739-7240(16)30153-9

Researcher Affiliations

Scarlet, D
  • Division of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Andrology, Department for Small Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria. Electronic address: dragos.scarlet@vetmeduni.ac.at.
Ille, N
  • Center for Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department for Small Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
Ertl, R
  • Vetcore Facility, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
Alves, B G
  • Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA.
Gastal, G D A
  • Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA.
Paiva, S O
  • Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA.
Gastal, M O
  • Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA.
Gastal, E L
  • Department of Animal Science, Food and Nutrition, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA.
Aurich, C
  • Center for Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department for Small Animals and Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology
  • Horses / physiology
  • Hydrocortisone / metabolism
  • Oocytes / metabolism
  • Ovarian Follicle / metabolism
  • Progesterone / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Tissue and Organ Harvesting

Citations

This article has been cited 10 times.
  1. Bhaumik S, Lockett J, Cuffe J, Clifton VL. Glucocorticoids and Their Receptor Isoforms: Roles in Female Reproduction, Pregnancy, and Foetal Development. Biology (Basel) 2023 Aug 9;12(8).
    doi: 10.3390/biology12081104pubmed: 37626990google scholar: lookup
  2. Gastal GDA, Scarlet D, Melchert M, Ertl R, Aurich C. Epigenetic Changes in Equine Embryos after Short-Term Storage at Different Temperatures. Animals (Basel) 2021 May 6;11(5).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11051325pubmed: 34066466google scholar: lookup
  3. Satué K, Fazio E, Muñoz A, Medica P. Endocrine and Electrolyte Balances during Periovulatory Period in Cycling Mares. Animals (Basel) 2021 Feb 17;11(2).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11020520pubmed: 33671405google scholar: lookup
  4. Ruiz-Conca M, Gardela J, Jauregi-Miguel A, Martinez CA, Rodríguez-Martinez H, López-Béjar M, Alvarez-Rodriguez M. Seminal Plasma Triggers the Differential Expression of the Glucocorticoid Receptor (NR3C1/GR) in the Rabbit Reproductive Tract. Animals (Basel) 2020 Nov 19;10(11).
    doi: 10.3390/ani10112158pubmed: 33228207google scholar: lookup
  5. Ruiz-Conca M, Gardela J, Martínez CA, Wright D, López-Bejar M, Rodríguez-Martínez H, Álvarez-Rodríguez M. Natural Mating Differentially Triggers Expression of Glucocorticoid Receptor (NR3C1)-Related Genes in the Preovulatory Porcine Female Reproductive Tract. Int J Mol Sci 2020 Jun 22;21(12).
    doi: 10.3390/ijms21124437pubmed: 32580389google scholar: lookup
  6. Tetsuka M, Tanakadate M. Activation of HSD11B1 in the bovine cumulus-oocyte complex during IVM and IVF. Endocr Connect 2019 Jul;8(7):1029-1039.
    doi: 10.1530/EC-19-0188pubmed: 31252401google scholar: lookup
  7. Liu R, Hailemariam D, Baes C, Miglior F, Stothard P, Colazo M, Plastow G. Genetic parameters and QTL mapping for novel metabolic traits in early-lactation Holsteins. J Anim Sci 2025 Jan 4;103.
    doi: 10.1093/jas/skaf359pubmed: 41117799google scholar: lookup
  8. Puriastuti AC, Maramis MM, Annas JY, I'tishom R, Srirejeki P, Sulistiawati. How does chronic unpredictable mild stress affect the number of mature oocytes? An experimental study. Int J Reprod Biomed 2025 Apr;23(4):303-312.
    doi: 10.18502/ijrm.v23i4.18782pubmed: 40766855google scholar: lookup
  9. Scarlet D, Schuler G, Malama E, Bollwein H, Bocci C, Colleoni S, Lazzari G, Galli C, Kowalewski MP. Endocrine profile and OPU-ICSI outcomes in mares: a comparative study. Reprod Fertil 2025 Jul 1;6(3).
    doi: 10.1530/RAF-25-0027pubmed: 40539920google scholar: lookup
  10. Samie KA, Kowalewski MP, Schuler G, Gastal GDA, Bollwein H, Scarlet D. Roles of GDF9 and BMP15 in equine follicular development: in vivo content and in vitro effects of IGF1 and cortisol on granulosa cells. BMC Vet Res 2025 Apr 27;21(1):292.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-025-04744-6pubmed: 40289073google scholar: lookup
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