Stearoyl-CoA desaturase activity in bovine cumulus cells protects the oocyte against saturated fatty acid stress.

ABSTRACT: Metabolic rich and poor conditions are both characterized by elevated free fatty acid levels and have been associated with impaired female fertility. In particular, saturated free fatty acids have a dose-dependent negative impact on oocyte developmental competence, while monounsaturated free fatty acids appear less harmful. Cumulus cells seem to protect the oocyte against free fatty acids, and the aim of this study was to determine the mechanism behind this protection In particular, the role of the enzyme stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) that converts saturated into monounsaturated fatty acids was investigated. SCD gene and protein were abundantly expressed in cumulus cells, but expression was low in oocytes. The level of SCD protein expression in cumulus cells did not change when COCs were e

SUBMITTER: Aardema H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5803780 | biostudies-literature | 2017 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature