Histological and Developmental Study of Prehierarchical Follicles in Geese

Abstract

Histological and developmental study of prehierarchical follicles in geese. Folia Biologica (Kraków) 62: 171-177.The development of the follicular wall and apoptosis of corresponding cells are dependent upon the stage of follicle growth and levels of endogenous hormones. However,the development and apoptosis of prehierarchical follicles in geese is insufficiently known. In order to obtain an understanding about the microstructure, development and apoptosis of prehierarchical follicles in geese, firstly, a histological method was used to investigate the morphological structure of prehierarchical follicles. Results showed that the thickness of granulosa cell layers of the follicular wall increased first, then decreased to the lowest when follicles grew to 9~10 mm in diameter, and the theca layers also thinned to the lowest thickness at the same stage. Moreover, the expression of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) mRNA and the enzyme activity of caspase-3 were analyzed and the results showed that the expression of FSHR was highest when follicles grew to 8~9 mm in diameter (p<0.05); the enzyme activity of caspae-3 was the highest when follicles grew to 6~8 mm in diameter (p<0.05). These collective findings suggested that follicles 6~10 mm in diameter were especially significant, and perhaps represent a turning point from growing follicles to dominant follicles to be selected into a hierarchical sequence or to other follicles to be degenerated during prehierarchical follicle development

Expression of polyamine metabolism-related genes during the development of prehierarchical follicles in the Zi geese (Ansercygnoides)

“…The H&E staining results indicated the growth, development and survival of the Zi geese prehierarchical follicles to reaching maturity was accompanied by the proliferation and differentiation of the theca cells and granulosa cells. Our results are in agreement with Dong et al (2014), reported that there was a degeneration and degradation of theca cells and granulosa cells to a thinner size as prehierarchical follicles approach the preovulatory stage of development in geese. In general, the significant knowledge about the morphological changes of the theca cells and granulosa cells in the prehierarchical follicles of the Zi geese can provide an improved understanding of their regulatory functions on the development of ovarian follicles, which can establish a foundation for using molecular biological techniques in the regulation of the folliculogenesis, thus improving the laying performance in Zi geese.…”

Metabonomics analysis of Zi goose follicular granulosa cells using ENO1 gene expression interference

“…Therefore, it is particularly important to study the differentiation and secretion mechanisms of FGCs. Follicle development requires the coordination of cell proliferation and differentiation, with oocyte growth and maturation (Dong et al, ). The paracrine interaction between oocytes and surrounding granulosa cells promotes the growth and development of oocytes (Vanderhyden & Macdonald, ).…”

Comparison of growth characteristics of in vitro cultured granulosa cells from geese follicles at different developmental stages

“…In laying chickens, ovarian follicles are usually arranged in a strict follicular hierarchy where follicles are mainly divided into pre-hierarchical (<8 mm in diameter) and hierarchical (>9 mm in diameter; designated as F5–F1, F5 < F4 < F3 < F2 < F1) follicles [ 9 ]. During the development of follicles, the granulosa layer increases in its cell number and surface area, and changes simultaneously occur in the thickness and number of granulosa layers [ 10 , 11 ]. Meanwhile, GCs go through the morphological change from flattened to cuboidal cells with follicular maturation [ 11 ].…”