A spatial model showing differences between juxtacrine and paracrine mutual oocyte-granulosa cells interactions

Indian J Exp Biol. 2015 Feb;53(2):75-81.

Abstract

The bidirectional communication between oocytes and granulosa cells are mediated by several factors via a local feedback loop(s). The current model was carried out to study the spatial mutual interaction of porcine denuded oocytes and granulosa cells either in direct contact (juxtacrine) or paracrine co-culture using transwell system. Transwell 0.4 μm polyester membrane inserts were used to permit oocytes-granulosa cells paracrine communication with a distance of 2 mm between them in co-culture. Oocytes were cultured with granulosa cells in a defined basic maturation medium for 44 h. In results, oocyte secreted factors (OSFs; GDF9 and BMP15) temporal expression showed progressive decrement by the end of culture in case of direct contact with granulosa cells while it was increased progressively in the paracrine co-culture groups. However, oocytes that were cultured in direct contact showed a significant increase in blastocyst development after parthenogenetic activation than the paracrine co-cultured ones (20% vs. 11.5%, respectively). By the end of culture, granulosa cell count in direct contact showed a significant decrease than the indirect co-culture group (1.2 x 105 cell/mL vs. 2.1 x 10(5) cell/mL, respectively). Steroids (P4 and E2) and steriodogenesis enzymes mRNA levels showed significant temporal alterations either after 22 h and 44 h of IVM in both juxtacrine and paracrine co-culture systems (P ≤ 0.05). CX43 was much more highly expressed in the granulosa of the direct contact group than the indirect co-culture group. These results indicate the difference in mutual communication between oocytes and granulosa cells that were cocultured either in direct contact (juxtacrine) or with a short distance (paracrine) and propose a new paradigm to study different ovarian follicular cells interaction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / genetics
  • 3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Aromatase / genetics
  • Aromatase / metabolism
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15 / genetics
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15 / metabolism
  • Cell Communication*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Coculture Techniques / methods*
  • Connexin 43 / genetics
  • Connexin 43 / metabolism
  • Estradiol / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gap Junctions / metabolism
  • Gene Expression
  • Granulosa Cells / cytology*
  • Granulosa Cells / metabolism
  • Growth Differentiation Factor 9 / genetics
  • Growth Differentiation Factor 9 / metabolism
  • Oocytes / cytology*
  • Oocytes / metabolism
  • Ovary / cytology
  • Paracrine Communication
  • Progesterone / metabolism
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Swine

Substances

  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15
  • Connexin 43
  • Growth Differentiation Factor 9
  • Progesterone
  • Estradiol
  • 3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases
  • Aromatase