This study aimed to investigate the effect of boron on porcine mammary epithelial cell (PMEC) survival, cell cycle and milk fat synthesis. PMECs from boron-treated groups were exposed to 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.8, 1, 10, 20, 40, and 80 mmol/L boric acid concentrations. Cell Counting Kit-8 and ow cytometry assays were performed to assess cell survival and the cell cycle, respectively. Triacylglycerol (TAG) levels in PMECs and culture medium were determined by a Triacylglycerol kit while PMEC lipid droplet aggregation was investigated via Oil Red Staining. Milk fat synthesis-associated mRNA levels were determined by real-time uorescence quantitative PCR while its protein expressions were determined by Western blot. Low (0.2, 0.3, 0.4 mmol/L) and high (>10 mmol/L) boron concentrations signi cantly promoted and inhibited cell viabilities, respectively. Boron (0.3 mmol/L) markedly elevated the abundance of G2/M phase cells. Ten mmol/L boron signi cantly increased the abundances of G0/G1 and S phase cells, but markedly suppressed G2/M phase cell abundance. At 0.3 mmol/L, boron signi cantly enhanced ERK phosphorylation while at 0.4, 0.8, 1, and 10 mmol/L, it markedly decreased lipid droplet diameters. Boron (10 mmol/L) signi cantly suppressed ACACA and SREBP1 protein expressions. The FASN protein levels were markedly suppressed by 0.4, 0.8, 1 and 10 mmol/L boron. Both 1 and 10 mmol/L markedly decreased FASN and SREBP1 mRNA expressions. Ten mmol/L boron signi cantly decreased PPARα mRNA levels. Low concentrations of boron promoted cell viability, while high concentrations inhibited PMEC viabilities and reduced lipid droplet diameters, which shows the implications of boron in pregnancy and lactation.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of boron on porcine mammary epithelial cell (PMEC) survival, cell cycle and milk fat synthesis. PMECs from boron-treated groups were exposed to 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.8, 1, 10, 20, 40, and 80 mmol/L boric acid concentrations. Cell Counting Kit-8 and flow cytometry assays were performed to assess cell survival and the cell cycle, respectively. Triacylglycerol (TAG) levels in PMECs and culture medium were determined by a Triacylglycerol kit while PMEC lipid droplet aggregation was investigated via Oil Red Staining. Milk fat synthesis-associated mRNA levels were determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR while its protein expressions were determined by Western blot. Low (0.2, 0.3, 0.4 mmol/L) and high (>10 mmol/L) boron concentrations significantly promoted and inhibited cell viabilities, respectively. Boron (0.3 mmol/L) markedly elevated the abundance of G2/M phase cells. Ten mmol/L boron significantly increased the abundances of G0/G1 and S phase cells, but markedly suppressed G2/M phase cell abundance. At 0.3 mmol/L, boron significantly enhanced ERK phosphorylation while at 0.4, 0.8, 1, and 10 mmol/L, it markedly decreased lipid droplet diameters. Boron (10 mmol/L) significantly suppressed ACACA and SREBP1 protein expressions. The FASN protein levels were markedly suppressed by 0.4, 0.8, 1 and 10 mmol/L boron. Both 1 and 10 mmol/L markedly decreased FASN and SREBP1 mRNA expressions. Ten mmol/L boron significantly decreased PPARα mRNA levels. Low concentrations of boron promoted cell viability, while high concentrations inhibited PMEC viabilities and reduced lipid droplet diameters, which shows the implications of boron in pregnancy and lactation.