The key mechanisms responsible for achievement of full reproductive and developmental capability in mammals are the differentiation and transformation of granulosa cells (GCs) during folliculogenesis, oogenesis, and oocyte maturation. Although the role of 17 beta-estradiol (E2) in ovarian activity is widely known, its effect on proliferative capacity, gap junction connection (GJC) formation, and GCs-luteal cells transformation requires further research. Therefore, the goal of this study was to assess the real-time proliferative activity of porcine GCs in vitro in relation to connexin (Cx), luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR), follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), and aromatase (CYP19A1) expression during short-term (168 h) primary culture. The cultured GCs were exposed to acute (at 96 h of culture) and/or prolonged (between 0 and 168 h of culture) administration of 1.8 and 3.6 μM E2. The relative abundance of Cx36, Cx37, Cx40, Cx43, LHR, FSHR, and CYP19A1 mRNA was measured. We conclude that the proliferation capability of GCs in vitro is substantially associated with expression of Cxs, LHR, FSHR, and CYP19A1. Furthermore, the GC-luteal cell transformation in vitro may be significantly accompanied by the proliferative activity of GCs in pigs.

Department of Anatomy Poznan University of Medical Sciences 6 Święcickiego St 60 781 Poznań Poland

Department of Histology and Embryology Poznan University of Medical Sciences 6 Święcickiego St 60 781 Poznań Poland

Department of Histology and Embryology Poznan University of Medical Sciences 6 Święcickiego St 60 781 Poznań Poland; Department of Anatomy and Histology Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences University of Zielona Gora Ul Zyty 28 65 046 Zielona Gora Poland

Department of Histology and Embryology Poznan University of Medical Sciences 6 Święcickiego St 60 781 Poznań Poland; Department of Anatomy Poznan University of Medical Sciences 6 Święcickiego St 60 781 Poznań Poland

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology University Hospital and Masaryk University Obilni trh 11 602 00 Brno Czech Republic

Institute of Veterinary and Animal Science Poznan University of Life Sciences 52 Wojska Polskiego St 60 628 Poznań Poland

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