The growth factors amphiregulin and epiregulin are novel stimulators of feline ovarian granulosa cell functions

• Published in: Reproduction in domestic animals 2024-06, Vol.59 (6), p.e14628-n/a
• Main Authors: Fabová, Zuzana, Loncová, Barbora, Harrath, Abdel Halim, Sirotkin, Alexander V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 17β-Estradiol; Amphiregulin; Amphiregulin - genetics; Amphiregulin - metabolism; Animals; Apoptosis; Cats; Cell Proliferation; Cell Survival; Cell viability; Cells, Cultured; DNA fragmentation; Epidermal growth factor; epiregulin; Epiregulin - genetics; Epiregulin - metabolism; Estradiol - metabolism; Female; Granulosa cells; Granulosa Cells - cytology; Granulosa Cells - metabolism; Growth factors; Hormone release; hormones; Ligands; Ovaries; ovary; Physiological effects; Progesterone; Progesterone - metabolism; proliferation; Receptors; Sex hormones; Stimulators
• ISSN: 0936-6768; 1439-0531; 1439-0531
• DOI: 10.1111/rda.14628

This study aimed to investigate the impact of the epidermal growth factor receptor ligands amphiregulin (AREG) and epiregulin (EREG) on the fundamental functions of feline ovarian granulosa cells. Granulosa cells isolated from feline ovaries were incubated with AREG and EREG (0, 0.1, 1 or 10 ng/mL). The effects of these growth factors on cell viability, proliferation (assessed through BrdU incorporation), nuclear apoptosis (evaluated through nuclear DNA fragmentation) and the release of progesterone and estradiol were determined using Cell Counting Kit‐8 assays, BrdU analysis, TUNEL assays and ELISAs, respectively. Both AREG and EREG increased cell viability, proliferation and steroid hormone release and reduced apoptosis. The present findings suggest that these epidermal growth factor receptor ligands may serve as physiological stimulators of feline ovarian cell functions.