Expression Of GDF-9, BMP-15 And Their Receptors In Adult Mice And Porcine Ovary Follicles

The synergetic process of folliculogenesis is mainly regulated by GDF-9 and BMP-15 as well as their receptors, such as BMPR2, TβR1 and BMPR1B. Expressions of these factors and the receptors are significant different among species. In this study we detected GDF-9, BMP-15 and their receptors in adult mouse and porcine follicles by immunohistochemistry. The results showed that both GDF-9 and BMP-15 were detected in oocytes from mouse primary follicles onward, besides, BMP-15 also presented in granulosa cells(GCs)and follicular fluid of mature follicles. However, they were mantained in oocytes and GCs from primordial to mature follicles in porcine except that GDF-9 was undetected in GCs of mature follicles. Receptors of GDF-9 and BMP-15, namely BMPR2, TβR1 and BMPR1B, were found in oocytes and GCs of all follicles in mice and porcine. Collectively, our studies suggested that GDF9, BMP15 and receptors might be involved in follicular growth and development in mouse and pig ovaries, and might be correlated with primordial follicular recruitment in pig. Besides, the positive results, which GDF-9 and BMP-15 as well as receptors were expression in mouse primordial follicles, indicates that others ligands interacted with the receptors to regulated primordial follicular activity. Expression of these factors in mature follicles of mouse and porcine additionally elucidated coordinated roles of GDF9 and BMP-15 in Cumulus Oophorus Expansion.