In vitro effects of PNP and PNMC on apoptosis and proliferation in the hen ovarian stroma and prehierarchal follicles

• Published in: Acta histochemica 2020-01, Vol.122 (1), p.151463-151463, Article 151463
• Main Authors: Grzegorzewska, A.K., Hrabia, A., Kowalik, K., Katarzyńska-Banasik, D., Kozubek, A., Sechman, A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Apoptosis; Chicken; Ovary; PNMC; PNP; Proliferation
• ISSN: 0065-1281; 1618-0372
• DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2019.151463

•Nitrophenols (PNP and PNMC) affect apoptosis and proliferation in the chicken ovary.•PNMC stimulates transcription of apoptotic genes in the stromal tissue.•PNP and PNMC decrease activity of caspases in white ovarian follicles.•Both nitrophenols affect caspase-3 and PCNA expression in chicken ovarian tissues.•Nitrophenols may impact the early development of chicken ovarian follicles. This study aimed to examine the mRNA expression, activity, and immunolocalisation of apoptosis/proliferation regulating factors following in vitro exposure of the stroma, white (WFs), and yellowish (YFs) follicles of the chicken ovary to 4-nitrophenol (PNP) or 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol (PNMC). PNMC increased the mRNA expression of caspase-3, -8, Apaf-1, and cytochrome c in the ovarian stroma. The activity of caspase-3, -8, and -9 decreased in WFs in both nitrophenol-treated groups. PNP reduced the number of caspase-3-positive cells in the stromal connective tissue (CT) and the theca interna and externa layers of WFs. In the stroma, the proliferating index decreased in the wall of primary follicles in both nitrophenol-treated groups, however, in the CT, the effect of PNMC was opposite. In the theca interna of WFs, PNP diminished the proliferating index. These results suggest that nitrophenols might impact the development of chicken ovarian follicles by affecting cell death and proliferation.