Role of the Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors, Adenosine Monophosphate-Activated Kinase, and Adiponectin in the Ovary

The mechanisms controlling the interaction between energy balance and reproduction are the subject of intensive investigations. The integrated control of these systems is probably a multifaceted phenomenon involving an array of signals governing energy homeostasis, metabolism, and fertility. Two fuel sensors, PPARs, a superfamily of nuclear receptors and the kinase AMPK, integrate energy control and lipid and glucose homeostasis. Adiponectin, one of the adipocyte-derived factors mediate its actions through the AMPK or PPARs pathway. These three molecules are expressed in the ovary, raising questions about the biological actions of fuel sensors in fertility and the use of these molecules to treat fertility problems. This review will highlight the expression and putative role of PPARs, AMPK, and adiponectin in the ovary, particularly during folliculogenesis, steroidogenesis, and oocyte maturation

Ghrelin in Female and Male Reproduction

Ghrelin and one of its functional receptors, GHS-R1a (Growth Hormone Secretagogue Receptor 1a), were firstly studied about 15 years. Ghrelin is a multifunctional peptide hormone that affects several biological functions including food intake, glucose release, cell proliferation… Ghrelin and GHS-R1a are expressed in key cells of both male and female reproductive organs in several species including fishes, birds, and mammals suggesting a well-conserved signal through the evolution and a role in the control of fertility. Ghrelin could be a component of the complex series of nutrient sensors such as adipokines, and nuclear receptors, which regulate reproduction in function of the energy stores. The objective of this paper was to report the available information about the ghrelin system and its role at the level of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in both sexes

Effect of adiponectin on bovine granulosa cell steroidogenesis, oocyte maturation and embryo development

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Adiponectin is an adipokine, mainly produced by adipose tissue. It regulates several reproductive processes. The protein expression of the adiponectin system (adiponectin, its receptors, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 and the APPL1 adaptor) in bovine ovary and its role on ovarian cells and embryo, remain however to be determined.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Here, we identified the adiponectin system in bovine ovarian cells and embryo using RT-PCR, immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, we investigated in vitro the effects of recombinant human adiponectin (10 micro g/mL) on proliferation of granulosa cells (GC) measured by [3H] thymidine incorporation, progesterone and estradiol secretions measured by radioimmunoassay in the culture medium of GC, nuclear oocyte maturation and early embryo development.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We show that the mRNAs and proteins for the adiponectin system are present in bovine ovary (small and large follicles and corpus luteum) and embryo. Adiponectin, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 were more precisely localized in oocyte, GC and theca cells. Adiponectin increased IGF-1 10(-8) M-induced GC proliferation (P < 0.01) but not basal or insulin 10(-8) M-induced proliferation. Additionally, adiponectin decreased insulin 10(-8) M-induced, but not basal or IGF-1 10(-8) M-induced secretions of progesterone (P < 0.01) and estradiol (P < 0.05) by GC. This decrease in insulin-induced steroidogenesis was associated with a decrease in ERK1/2 MAPK phosphorylation in GC pre-treated with adiponectin. Finally, addition of adiponectin during in vitro maturation affected neither the percentage of oocyte in metaphase-II nor 48-h cleavage and blastocyst day 8 rates.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In bovine species, adiponectin decreased insulin-induced steroidogenesis and increased IGF-1-induced proliferation of cultured GC through a potential involvement of ERK1/2 MAPK pathway, whereas it did not modify oocyte maturation and embryo development in vitro.</p

Caractérisation phénotypique des vaches laitières portant l'haplotype " fertil+/+ " ou " fertil-/- " pour un QTL de fertilité femelle situé sur le chromosome 3

Au cours de ces dernières années, la fertilité des vaches laitières hautes productrices a fortement diminué, notamment en race Prim'Holstein. Cette baisse de fertilité est en partie liée à une intense sélection de la productivité laitière. Des études réalisées par des généticiens ont mis en évidence plusieurs QTLs (Quantitative Trait Locus) de fertilité femelle chez la vache laitière. Nous avons choisi d'étudier des vaches laitières homozygotes à l'haplotype favorable "fertil+/+" ou défavorable "fertil-/-" pour un QTL de fertilité femelle situé sur le chromosome 3 (QTL-Fert-F-BTA3), ce QTL étant impliqué dans les échecs précoces de la gestation. Plusieurs paramètres ont été étudiés sur quarante cinq génisses puis sur quarante et une vaches en première lactation. Nous avons observé que les primipares "fertil-/-" ont perdu plus de poids que les primipares "fertil+/+" dans les sept premières semaines après vêlage. Dans cette même période, la production laitière ainsi que l'ingéré alimentaire des primipares "fertil-/-" ont été inférieurs à ceux des primipares "fertil+/+". Grâce aux profils de progestérone plasmatique, nous avons constaté que les animaux "fertil+/+" ont repris leur activité ovarienne plus vite que les animaux "fertil-/-" après le vêlage. Nous avons enfin constaté un meilleur taux de réussite à la première insémination artificielle pour les animaux "fertil+/+" que pour les animaux "fertil-/-". La perte de poids après vêlage plus importante chez les animaux "fertil-/-" pourrait expliquer un allongement de l'inactivité ovarienne post-partum et une fertilité plus faible chez ces animaux par rapport aux animaux "fertil+/+"

The effect of an intracerebroventricular injection of metformin or AICAR on the plasma concentrations of melatonin in the ewe: potential involvement of AMPK?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>It is now widely accepted that AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a critical regulator of energy homeostasis. Recently, it has been shown to regulate circadian clocks. In seasonal breeding species such as sheep, the circadian clock controls the secretion of an endogenous rhythm of melatonin and, as a consequence, is probably involved in the generation of seasonal rhythms of reproduction. Considering this, we identified the presence of the subunits of AMPK in different hypothalamic nuclei involved in the pre- and post-pineal pathways that control seasonality of reproduction in the ewe and we investigated if the intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of two activators of AMPK, metformin and AICAR, affected the circadian rhythm of melatonin in ewes that were housed in constant darkness. In parallel the secretion of insulin was monitored as a peripheral metabolic marker. We also investigated the effects of i.c.v. AICAR on the phosphorylation of AMPK and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), a downstream target of AMPK, in brain structures along the photoneuroendocrine pathway to the pineal gland.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All the subunits of AMPK that we studied were identified in all brain areas that were dissected but with some differences in their level of expression among structures. Metformin and AICAR both reduced (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01 respectively) the amplitude of the circadian rhythm of melatonin secretion independently of insulin secretion. The i.c.v. injection of AICAR only tended (p = 0.1) to increase the levels of phosphorylated AMPK in the paraventricular nucleus but significantly increased the levels of phosphorylated ACC in the paraventricular nucleus (p < 0.001) and in the pineal gland (p < 0.05).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Taken together, these results suggest a potential role for AMPK on the secretion of melatonin probably acting trough the paraventricular nucleus and/or directly in the pineal gland. We conclude that AMPK may act as a metabolic cue to modulate the rhythm of melatonin secretion.</p

Fertility and metabolism of dairy cows carrying "Fertil+" or "Fertil-" haplotype for a fertility QTL located on the chromosome 3

Au cours des dernières décennies, une dégradation de la fertilité des vaches laitières, parallèlement à une augmentation de la production laitière a été observée. Des régions du génome, les QTL, affectent la fertilité femelle. Le but de ce travail de thèse est d’étudier la fertilité et certains paramètres zootechniques chez des vaches Prim'Hosltein en première lactation choisies pour leur haplotype favorable "fertil+" ou défavorable "fertil-" pour un QTL de fertilité situé sur le chromosome 3. Ce phénotypage a montré une meilleure fertilité et un meilleur bilan énergétique dans la première semaine de lactation pour les vaches "fertil+" par rapport aux vaches "fertil-". De plus, les vaches "fertil-" ont un flux d’ingestion plus rapide. Au pic de mobilisation, certains gènes du QTL étaient différentiellement exprimés dans le tissu adipeux des deux haplotypes. Dans les cellules de la granulosa, un de ces gènes, nommé Kirrel, est plus exprimé chez les vaches "fertil+" et sa protéine recombinante inhibe la sécrétion de progestérone in vitro. Notre travail a permis d'affiner les interactions génotype-phénotype liées à un QTL de fertilité et de mettre en avant un des possibles rôles d'un gène de ce QTL dans la fonction de reproduction chez la vache laitière.In recent decades, the dairy cow fertility has declined, in parallel with an increase in milk production. Some regions of the genome, named QTL, affect female fertility. The purpose of this thesis is to study fertility and some zootechnical parameters in Prim'Hosltein cows in first lactation chosen for their favorable haplotype "fertil+" or unfavorable haplotype "fertil-" for one fertility QTL on chromosome 3. This phenotyping showed better fertility and energy balance in the first week of lactation for "fertil+" than for "fertil-" cows. In addition, "fertil-" cows had a higher eating rate. At the peak of mobilization, the QTL genes are differentially expressed in adipose tissue of "fertil+" and "fertil-" cows. In granulosa cells, one of these genes, named Kirrel, is higher expressed in "fertil+" cows and its recombinant protein inhibits the secretion of progesterone in vitro. Our work has contributed to refine interactions genotype-phenotype linked to one fertility QTL and highlighted one of the possible roles of a gene which belongs to this QTL in the reproductive function in dairy cows

Caractérisation des vaches laitières portant l'haplotype ''fertil+/+'' ou ''fertil-/-'' pour un QTL de fertilité femelle situé sur le chromosome 3

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Etude de la fertilité et du métabolisme des vaches laitières sélectionnées pour l'haplotype "fertil+" ou "fertil-" à un QTL de fertilité situé sur le chromosome 3

Au cours des dernières décennies, une dégradation de la fertilité des vaches laitières, parallèlement à une augmentation de la production laitière a été observée. Des régions du génome, les QTL, affectent la fertilité femelle. Le but de ce travail de thèse est d étudier la fertilité et certains paramètres zootechniques chez des vaches Prim'Hosltein en première lactation choisies pour leur haplotype favorable "fertil+" ou défavorable "fertil-" pour un QTL de fertilité situé sur le chromosome 3. Ce phénotypage a montré une meilleure fertilité et un meilleur bilan énergétique dans la première semaine de lactation pour les vaches "fertil+" par rapport aux vaches "fertil-". De plus, les vaches "fertil-" ont un flux d ingestion plus rapide. Au pic de mobilisation, certains gènes du QTL étaient différentiellement exprimés dans le tissu adipeux des deux haplotypes. Dans les cellules de la granulosa, un de ces gènes, nommé Kirrel, est plus exprimé chez les vaches "fertil+" et sa protéine recombinante inhibe la sécrétion de progestérone in vitro. Notre travail a permis d'affiner les interactions génotype-phénotype liées à un QTL de fertilité et de mettre en avant un des possibles rôles d'un gène de ce QTL dans la fonction de reproduction chez la vache laitière.In recent decades, the dairy cow fertility has declined, in parallel with an increase in milk production. Some regions of the genome, named QTL, affect female fertility. The purpose of this thesis is to study fertility and some zootechnical parameters in Prim'Hosltein cows in first lactation chosen for their favorable haplotype "fertil+" or unfavorable haplotype "fertil-" for one fertility QTL on chromosome 3. This phenotyping showed better fertility and energy balance in the first week of lactation for "fertil+" than for "fertil-" cows. In addition, "fertil-" cows had a higher eating rate. At the peak of mobilization, the QTL genes are differentially expressed in adipose tissue of "fertil+" and "fertil-" cows. In granulosa cells, one of these genes, named Kirrel, is higher expressed in "fertil+" cows and its recombinant protein inhibits the secretion of progesterone in vitro. Our work has contributed to refine interactions genotype-phenotype linked to one fertility QTL and highlighted one of the possible roles of a gene which belongs to this QTL in the reproductive function in dairy cows.TOURS-Bibl.électronique (372610011) / SudocSudocFranceF

Characterization of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in goat ovary

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