Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) concentration in follicular fluid and mRNA expression of AMH receptor type II and LH receptor in granulosa cells as predictive markers of good buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) donors

• Published in: Theriogenology 2016-09, Vol.86 (4), p.963-970
• Main Authors: Liang, Aixin, Salzano, Angela, D'Esposito, Maurizio, Comin, Antonella, Montillo, Marta, Yang, Liguo, Campanile, Giuseppe, Gasparrini, Bianca
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-Mullerian hormone; Anti-Mullerian Hormone - genetics; Anti-Mullerian Hormone - metabolism; Biomarkers; Buffalo; Buffaloes - embryology; Buffaloes - physiology; Embryo Transfer; Female; Follicular Fluid - chemistry; Gene expression; Gene Expression Regulation - physiology; Granulosa cell; Granulosa Cells - metabolism; Receptors, LH - genetics; Receptors, LH - metabolism; Receptors, Peptide - genetics; Receptors, Peptide - metabolism; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta - genetics; Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta - metabolism; RNA, Messenger - genetics; RNA, Messenger - metabolism
• ISSN: 0093-691X; 1879-3231
• DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.03.020

High individual variability in follicular recruitment and hence in the number of embryos produced is a major factor limiting the application of reproductive technologies in buffalo. Therefore, the identification of reliable markers to select embryo donors is critical to enroll buffaloes in embryo production programs. Better understanding of factors involved in follicular growth is also necessary to improve the response to superovulation in this species. The aim of this work was thus to determine the anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) concentration in follicular fluid (FF) recovered from different size follicles and evaluate the mRNA expression profiles of development-related (AMHR2, CYP19A1, FSHR, and LHR) and apoptosis-related genes (TP53INP1 and CASP3) in the corresponding granulosa cells (GCs) in buffalo. Another objective was to evaluate whether the AMH concentration in FF and gene expression of GCs is associated with the antral follicular count. Ovaries were collected at the slaughterhouse, and all follicles were counted and classified as small (3–5 mm), medium (5–8 mm), and large (>8 mm). Follicular fluid was recovered for AMH determination, and the mRNA expression of AMHR2, FSHR, LHR, CYP19A1, TP53INP1, and CASP3 was analyzed in GCs. The AMH concentration in FF decreased (P