Stroma cell-derived factor 1 and connexins (37 and 43) are preserved after vitrification and in vitro culture of goat ovarian cortex

• Published in: Theriogenology Vol. 116; pp. 83 - 88
• Main Authors: Donfack, Nathalie Jiatsa, Alves, Kele Amaral, Alves, Benner Geraldo, Rocha, Rebeca Magalhães Pedrosa, Bruno, Jamily Bezzera, Bertolini, Marcelo, dos Santos, Regiane Rodrigues, Domingues, Sheyla Farhaydes Souza, De Figueiredo, José Ricardo, Smitz, Johan, Rodrigues, Ana Paula Ribeiro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-08-2018
• Subjects: Animals; Cell Proliferation; Chemokine CXCL12 - metabolism; Connexin 43 - metabolism; Connexins - metabolism; Cryopreservation - veterinary; Estradiol - metabolism; Female; Follicular activation; Gap Junction alpha-4 Protein; Gap junctions; Goats - physiology; Ovary - cytology; Ovary - metabolism; Ovary - physiology; Preantral follicles; Progesterone - metabolism; Tissue Culture Techniques - veterinary; Vitrification; Cell proliferation; Follicular activation; Preantral follicles; Vitrification; Gap junctions
• ISSN: 0093-691X; 1879-3231
• DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.05.001

This study aimed to evaluate the follicular morphology and development (follicular activation, cell proliferation, and hormone production), as well as the distribution pattern of Connexins 37 and 43 and SDF-1α after vitrification and in vitro culture of goat ovarian tissue. The study involved four experimental groups: fresh control, vitrified control, fresh culture and vitrified culture. The ovarian fragments were vitrified by a solid surface technique using the Ovarian Tissue Cryosystem and subsequently in vitro cultured for 7 days. The percentage of normal preantral follicles was similar between vitrified control and vitrified culture. However, both vitrified control and vitrified culture treatments showed a significant reduction of morphologically normal follicles in comparison to fresh control. A higher percentage of developing follicles (transition, primary and secondary) was observed in both fresh culture and vitrified culture treatments. Progesterone and estradiol production decreased (P < 0.05) during in vitro culture. SDF-1α and Cx37 proteins were detected in oocytes and granulosa cells from all the treatments. However, in vitrified cultured tissue, only granulosa cells were labeled with Cx37. Connexin 43 was detected in the granulosa, theca cells and zona pellucida in all the treatments. In conclusion, in vitro culture of vitrified goat ovarian cortex was able to promote follicle survival and did not alter the expression of SDF-1α and 43. However, the expression of Cx 37 was modified after in vitro culture of vitrified tissue.
•In vitro culture of fresh and vitrified goat ovarian tissue.•Similar expression of Connexin 43 and SDF-1 in all treatments.•High percentage of developing follicles after in vitro culture of both fresh and vitrified ovary tissue.