Authors : Lu Chen, Kangle Yi, Yongfeng Sun, Yanling Sun, Lina Tang and Xu Zhou
Abstract: Neurotrophins (NTs) belong to a family of soluble homodimeric polypeptide growth factors and are widely recognized for their essential roles in central and peripheral nervous systems. One such neurotrophin, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) was originally described in the nervous system but has now been shown to be expressed in reproductive system. In this study, the researchers examined the presence and different expression levels of BDNF mRNA in porcine reproductive organs during different stages of estrous cycle and in pig oocytes in Germinal Vesicle (GV) and in vitro matured Metaphase II (MII) stage. In oviduct and uterus, BDNF mRNA expression was higher than that in ovary (p<0.05). The expression level in luteal phase ovary is higher than that in follicular phase ovary but the difference between them was not significant (p>0.05), a similar but more significant change occurred in oviduct (p<0.05). However, the expression levels in uterus were on an opposite trend i.e., a higher level of mRNA for BDNF was found in follicular phase uterus instead of in luteal phase uterus. BDNF mRNA was also detected in GV oocytes and in vitro matured MII oocytes with significantly higher amounts in GV oocytes than in MII oocytes (p<0.01). These results suggest a possible role for BDNF in the regulation and modulation of pig reproductive function and oocyte maturation.
Lu Chen, Kangle Yi, Yongfeng Sun, Yanling Sun, Lina Tang and Xu Zhou, 2011. Expression of BDNF mRNA in Porcine Reproductive Tissues During Follicular Phase and Luteal Phase and Oocytes in GV and in vitro Matured MII Stage. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 10: 2571-2574.