Luminal epithelial cells are the first embryonic-maternal contact site undergoing very specific changes associated with reproductive processes. Cells prepare for embryo development by increasing their volume, with the help of aquaporins that provide a transcellular path of rapid water movement during the secretion and absorption of fluids, as well as connexins enabling the flow of inorganic ions and small molecules. In this work, we have examined how AQPs and Cx's behave in luminal epithelium primary cell culture. Cells obtained from porcine specimen during slaughter were primarily in vitro cultured for 7 days. Their proliferation patterns were then analyzed using RTCA, with the expression of genes of interest evaluated with the use of immunofluorescence and RT-qPCR. The results of these changes of gene of interest expression were analyzed on each of the seven days of the porcine luminal primary cell culture. Our study showed that the significant changes were noted in the case of Cx43, whose level of protein expression and distribution increases after 120 hours of culture, when the cells enter the lag phase, and maintains an upward trend until the end of the culture. We noted an increase in AQP4, AQP7, AQP8, and AQP11 levels throughout the entire culture period, while the largest differences in expression were found in AQP3, AQP4, and AQP10. The obtained results could become a point of reference for further in vivo and clinical research. Experiments conducted with these proteins showed that they influence the endometrial fluid content during the oestrous cycle and participate in the process of angiogenesis, which intensifies during endometrial development.

• MeSH
• Aquaporins genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Models, Biological * MeSH
• Cell Culture Techniques * MeSH
• Endometrium cytology   MeSH
• Epithelial Cells metabolism   MeSH
• Connexins genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Cells, Cultured MeSH
• Swine MeSH
• Cell Proliferation genetics   MeSH
• Gene Expression Regulation * MeSH
• Cell Shape MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Aquaporins MeSH
• Connexins MeSH

This study aimed to examine the effect of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), and growth hormone (GH) on Aquaporin 5 (AQP5) expression in granulosa (Gc) and theca cells (Tc) from medium (MF) and large (LF) ovarian follicles of pigs. The results showed that GH significantly decreased the expression of AQP5 in Gc from MF in relation to the control. In the Gc of large follicles, PRL stimulated the expression of AQP5. However, the increased expression of AQP5 in the Tc of LF was indicated by GH and PRL in relation to the control. A significantly higher expression of the AQP5 protein in the Gc from MF and LF was indicated by FSH and PRL. In co-cultures, an increased expression of AQP5 was observed in the Gc from LF incubated with LH, PRL, and GH. A significantly increased expression of AQP5 was also observed in co-cultures of Tc from all type of follicles incubated with LH, whereas PRL stimulated the expression of AQP5 in Tc from MF. Moreover, AQP5 protein expression increased in the co-culture isolated from MF and LF after treatment with FSH, LH, PRL, and GH. AQP5 immunoreactivity was observed in the cytoplasm, mainly in the perinuclear region and endosomes, as well as in the cell membranes of Gc and Tc from the LF and MF.

• Keywords
• Aquaporin 5, gene and protein expression, in vitro study, ovarian cells, pig,
• MeSH
• Aquaporin 5 genetics   MeSH
• Biomarkers MeSH
• Granulosa Cells drug effects   metabolism   MeSH
• Follicle Stimulating Hormone metabolism   MeSH
• Pituitary Hormones metabolism   pharmacology   MeSH
• Coculture Techniques MeSH
• Luteinizing Hormone metabolism   MeSH
• Ovarian Follicle cytology   drug effects   metabolism   MeSH
• Swine MeSH
• Prolactin metabolism   MeSH
• Gene Expression Regulation, Plant * MeSH
• Growth Hormone metabolism   MeSH
• Theca Cells drug effects   metabolism   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Aquaporin 5 MeSH
• Biomarkers MeSH
• Follicle Stimulating Hormone MeSH
• Pituitary Hormones MeSH
• Luteinizing Hormone MeSH
• Prolactin MeSH
• Growth Hormone MeSH