Neonatal superior ovarian nerve transection inhibits follicle development by enhancing follicular atresia and suppressing granulosa cell proliferation in rats
Xiaoxin Zhang A , Lei Zhang B , Shuying Huo A , Jianlin Wang B and Sheng Cui A CA State Key Laboratory for Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
B School of Life Science, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.
C Corresponding author. Email: cuisheng@cau.edu.cn
Reproduction, Fertility and Development 22(7) 1148-1158 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD09271
Submitted: 6 November 2009 Accepted: 26 March 2010 Published: 20 August 2010
Abstract
The ovarian sympathetic nerves participate in the regulation of mammalian ovarian function, but it is still not known whether the neonatal ovarian sympathetic nerve is involved in follicular development and related mechanisms. In the present study, the superior ovarian nerve (SON) of the neonatal rat was transected on postnatal day (PD) 2, and follicle development, ovarian hormone secretion, ovulation rate, granulosa cell proliferation and apoptosis were analysed on PD 30 and PD 90. The results demonstrate that SON transection decreases follicle number and size, reduces ovulation induced by gonadotrophin and enhances follicular atresia. Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and cleaved caspase-3 immunohistochemistry staining provide evidence that SON transection inhibits granulosa cell proliferation and promotes granulosa cell apoptosis. In addition, SON transection increases serum oestradiol levels, but has no influence on serum progesterone levels. These results suggest that the sympathetic nerve supply to the ovaries is important in regulating follicle development and ovary function. These results are critical for further understanding of the neuroendocrine regulation of ovary development and function, although the mechanism needs to be elucidated in future studies.
Additional keywords: oocyte, ovary, sympathetic nerve.
Acknowledgements
The present study was supported by grants to Sheng Cui from National Basic Research Program of China (2007CB947402), the Natural Science Foundation of China (30630011) and the Specialised Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education (200800190021).
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