Profile of melatonin and its receptors and synthesizing enzymes in cumulus-oocyte complexes of the developing sheep antral follicle-a potential estradiol-mediated mechanism.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Melatonin is an amine hormone that plays an important role in regulating mammalian reproduction. This study aimed to investigate the expression pattern of melatonin synthesis enzymes AANAT and HIOMT and melatonin receptors MT1 and MT2 in sheep cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) as well as the change of melatonin level in follicular fluid (FF) during antral follicle development. In this research, we also study the effect of β-estradiol (E2) on MT1 and MT2 expression as well as melatonin synthesis in COCs so as to lay the foundation for further exploration of the regulation mechanism of melatonin synthesis in the ovary.

Methods

COCs and FF were collected from different size (large follicles (diameter ≥ 5 mm), medium follicles (diameter 2-5 mm), and small follicles (dia

SUBMITTER: Xiao L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6317229 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature