Gene expression profiling of bovine ovarian follicular and luteal cells provides insight into cellular identities and functions

Authors: ROMEREIM, SARAH - University Of Nebraska; SUMMERS, ADAM - University Of Nebraska; POHLMEIER, WILLIAM - University Of Nebraska; ZHANG, PAN - Nebraska Medical Center; HOU, XIAOYING - Nebraska Medical Center; TALBOTT, HEATHER - Nebraska Medical Center; Cushman, Robert - Bob; WOOD, JENNIFER - University Of Nebraska; DAVIS, JOHN - Nebraska Medical Center; CUPP, ANDREA - University Of Nebraska

Submitted to: Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/27/2016
Publication Date: 1/5/2017
Publication URL: https://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/63301
Citation: Romereim, S.M., Summers, A.F., Pohlmeier, W.E., Zhang, P., Hou, X., Talbott, H.A., Cushman, R.A., Wood, J.R., Davis, J.S., Cupp, A.S. 2017. Gene expression profiling of bovine ovarian follicular and luteal cells provides insight into cellular identities and functions. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology. 439:379-394. doi:10.1016/j.mce.2016.09/029

Interpretive Summary: Proper ovarian function is crucial for reproductive success in beef cattle. We do not know enough about the physiological pathways involved in ovulation of the follicle and formation of the corpus luteum necessary to maintain pregnancy. After ovulation, cells of the ovarian follicle become the luteal cells of the corpus luteum. Little is known about the differences in the gene expression profiles of these cell types. Analysis of the RNA present in each cell type using microarrays yielded new cell-specific genetic markers, functional insight into the behavior of each cell type, and evidence of luteal cell lineages. This basic research can aid in understanding how ovulation and corpus luteum formation can fail, leading to decreased pregnancy in beef cows, thereby providing insight into novel interventions to improve synchronization of estrus, induction of ovulation, and pregnancy rates in beef cows.

Technical Abstract: After ovulation, somatic cells of the ovarian follicle (theca and granulosa cells) become the small and large luteal cells of the corpus luteum. Aside from known cell type-specific receptors and steroidogenic enzymes, little is known about the differences in the gene expression profiles of these four cell types. Analysis of the RNA present in each bovine cell type using Affymetrix microarrays yielded new cell-specific genetic markers, functional insight into the behavior of each cell type via Gene Ontology Annotations and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis, and evidence of small and large luteal cell lineages using Principle Component Analysis. Enriched expression of select genes for each cell type was validated by qPCR. This expression analysis offers insight into the lineage and differentiation process that transforms somatic follicular cells into luteal cells.