Examination of relaxin and its receptors expression in pig gametes and embryos

Feugang, Jean M.; Rodríguez-Muñoz, Juan C; Willard, Scott T.; Bathgate, Ross A. D.; Ryan, Peter L.

doi:10.1186/1477-7827-9-10

Cited by 26 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…In previous studies, we reported the presence of these receptors on porcine oocytes and embryos [27]. Here, we found that the addition of porcine relaxin in a follicular fluid-free maturation medium induces an accumulation of RXFP2 mRNA in COCs.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 52%

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In vitro effects of relaxin on gene expression in porcine cumulus-oocyte complexes and developing embryos

Feugang

Greene

Willard

et al. 2011

Reprod Biol Endocrinol

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BackgroundRelaxin hormone peptide is found in porcine follicular and utero-tubal fluids, but its possible actions during early embryo development are still undetermined. Here, we investigated the effects of porcine relaxin during oocyte maturation and embryo development, and gene expression in the pig.MethodsImmature cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were obtained from ovarian follicles of sows. In experiment 1, COCs were matured in the presence of 0, 20, or 40 ng relaxin/ml, or 10% (v/v) porcine follicular fluid. In experiment 2, COCs were in vitro matured, fertilized and resulting embryos were cultured in the presence of 0, 20, or 40 ng relaxin/ml. In experiment 3, COCs were matured in the presence of 40 ng relaxin/ml, fertilized and zygotes were cultured as indicated in experiment 2. We evaluated the proportions of matured oocytes in experiment 1, cleaved and blastocysts on Day 2 and Day 7 post insemination in all experiments. The total cell number of blastocysts was also evaluated. In parallel, transcription levels of both relaxin and its receptors (RXFP1 and RXFP2), as well as a pro- (Bax) and anti- (Bcl2-like 1) apoptotic-related genes were determined. All data were analyzed by ANOVA and significant differences were fixed for P < 0.05.ResultsIn experiment 1, relaxin significantly increased the proportions of matured oocytes and cleaved embryos, as well as the expression level of RXFP2 mRNA compared to RXFP1 (P < 0.05). There was no effect on endogenous expression of relaxin and Bcl2-like1/Bax ratios. In all experiments, relaxin did not affect the proportions of blastocysts, but did significantly increase their total cell numbers (P < 0.05). Furthermore, no effect of relaxin was observed on Bcl2-like1/Bax expression ratios, which were similar between groups.ConclusionsExogenous relaxin influences its own receptors expression, improves oocyte nuclear maturation. Its beneficial effect on total cell number of blastocysts appears to be through a Bcl2-like1/Bax-independent mechanism.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 52%

“…These receptors have been detected in porcine reproductive tissues [25,26], including oocytes and embryos [27]. But, their potential activation by relaxin and further implications on oocyte maturation and embryo development are still unknown.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

In vitro effects of relaxin on gene expression in porcine cumulus-oocyte complexes and developing embryos

Feugang

Greene

Willard

et al. 2011

Reprod Biol Endocrinol

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“…) and boars (Feugang et al . ) and its protein is distributed throughout the entire spermatozoon in boars (Feugang et al . ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Functional insulin‐like factor 3 (INSL3) hormone‐receptor system in the testes and spermatozoa of domestic ruminants and its potential as a predictor of sire fertility

Pitia

Uchiyama

Sano

et al. 2016

Animal Science Journal

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Insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3) is essential for fetal testis descent, and has been implicated in the testicular and sperm functions in adult males; however, similar functions in domestic ruminants remain largely unknown. This study investigated the functional INSL3 hormone-receptor system in adult ruminant testes and spermatozoa, and explored its potential to diagnose the fertility of sires. Testes and spermatozoa were obtained from fertile bulls, rams and he-goats, whereas subfertile testes and spermatozoa were obtained only from bulls. As expected, INSL3 was visualized in Leydig cells, while we clearly demonstrated that the functional receptor, relaxin family peptide receptor 2 (RXFP2), enabling INSL3 to bind was identified in testicular germ cells and in the sperm equatorial segment of bulls, rams and he-goats. In comparison to fertile bulls, the percentage of INSL3- and RXFP2-expressing cells and their expression levels per cell were significantly reduced in the testes of subfertile bulls. In addition, the population of INSL3-binding spermatozoa was also significantly reduced in the semen of subfertile bulls. These results provide evidence for a functional INSL3 hormone-receptor system operating in ruminant testes and spermatozoa, and its potential to predict subfertility in sires.

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“…INSL3 possibly plays a role in sperm function as suggested by the detection of its receptor RXFP2 mRNA or protein in spermatozoa of rodents [41] and boars [42]. However, there was no evidence whether RXFP2 is expressed in spermatozoa of domestic ruminants, including goats.…”

Section: Expression and Functionality Of Rxfp2 In The Spermatozoamentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent Advances in Research on the Hormone INSL3 in Male Goats

Kohsaka¹,

Siqin²,

Minagawa³

et al. 2018

Goat Science

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Insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3), previously called relaxin-like factor (RLF), is essential for testis descent during fetal development and has been implicated in the testicular and sperm functions in adult males. However, similar functions in ruminants remain largely unknown. This chapter will cover recent advancement in our understanding of INSL3 in goats. First, testicular Leydig cells were the sole source of INSL3, with INSL3 expression increasing during development. Second, INSL3 was constitutively secreted as a B-C-A single-chain structure with full biological activity. Third, secreted INSL3 was transported into the seminiferous compartments, where its receptor RXFP2 was expressed on germ cells, thus suggesting that the intratesticular INSL3 hormone-receptor system operates in germ cells. Fourth, functional RXFP2 enabling INSL3 to bind was also identified in the spermatozoa and suggested the existence of the extratesticular INSL3 hormone-receptor system in the spermatozoa. Interestingly, percentages of INSL3-binding spermatozoa were significantly reduced in the semen of subfertile bulls compared to that of fertile bulls, suggesting the potential of this system to diagnose fertility in breeding sires. These fascinating findings will give a new perspective in physiological and/or therapeutic actions of INSL3 on male reproductive processes in domestic ruminants, including goats.

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Examination of relaxin and its receptors expression in pig gametes and embryos

Cited by 26 publications

References 49 publications

In vitro effects of relaxin on gene expression in porcine cumulus-oocyte complexes and developing embryos

In vitro effects of relaxin on gene expression in porcine cumulus-oocyte complexes and developing embryos

Functional insulin‐like factor 3 (INSL3) hormone‐receptor system in the testes and spermatozoa of domestic ruminants and its potential as a predictor of sire fertility

Recent Advances in Research on the Hormone INSL3 in Male Goats

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