The oviduct provides an optimal environment for the final preparation, transport, and survival of gametes, the fertilization process, and early embryonic development. Most of the studies on reproduction are based on in vitro cell culture models because of the cell's accessibility. It creates opportunities to explore the complexity of directly linked processes between cells. Previous studies showed a significant expression of genes responsible for cell differentiation, maturation, and development during long-term porcine oviduct epithelial cells (POECs) in vitro culture. This study aimed at establishing the transcriptomic profile and comprehensive characteristics of porcine oviduct epithelial cell in vitro cultures, to compare changes in gene expression over time and deliver information about the expression pattern of genes highlighted in specific GO groups. The oviduct cells were collected after 7, 15, and 30 days of in vitro cultivation. The transcriptomic profile of gene expression was compared to the control group (cells collected after the first day). The expression of COL1A2 and LOX was enhanced, while FGFBP1, SERPINB2, and OVGP1 were downregulated at all selected intervals of cell culture in comparison to the 24-h control (p-value < 0.05). Adding new detailed information to the reproductive biology field about the diversified transcriptome profile in POECs may create new future possibilities in infertility treatments, including assisted reproductive technique (ART) programmes, and may be a valuable tool to investigate the potential role of oviduct cells in post-ovulation events.

• Keywords
• RNA processing, cell adhesion, cell migration, intercellular communication, reproductive biology,
• MeSH
• Cell Culture Techniques methods   MeSH
• Epithelial Cells * metabolism   cytology   MeSH
• Cells, Cultured MeSH
• Swine MeSH
• Gene Expression Regulation MeSH
• Gene Expression Profiling MeSH
• Transcriptome * MeSH
• Oviducts metabolism   cytology   MeSH
• Fallopian Tubes metabolism   cytology   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

This paper aims to identify and describe new genetic markers involved in the processes of protein expression and modification reflected in the change of mitochondrial activity before and after in vitro maturation of the oocyte. Porcine oocytes collected from the ovaries of slaughtered landrace gilts were subjected to the process of in vitro maturation. Transcriptomic changes in the expression profile of oocyte genes involved in response to hypoxia, the transmembrane protein receptor serine threonine kinase signaling pathway, the "transforming growth factor β receptor signaling pathway", "response to protein stimulus", and "response to organic substance" were investigated using microarrays. The expression values of these genes in oocytes was analyzed before (immature) and after (mature) in vitro maturation, with significant differences found. All the significantly altered genes showed downregulation after the maturation process. The most changed genes from these gene ontologies, FOS, ID2, VEGFA, BTG2, CYR61, ESR1, AR, TACR3, CCND2, CHRDL1, were chosen to be further validated, described and related to the literature. Additionally, the mitochondrial activity of the analyzed oocytes was measured using specific dyes. We found that the mitochondrial activity was higher before the maturation process. The analysis of these results and the available literature provides a novel insight on the processes that occur during in vitro oocyte maturation. While this knowledge may prove to be useful in further research of the procedures commonly associated with in vitro fertilization procedures, it serves mostly as a basic reference for further proteomic, in vivo, and clinical studies that are necessary to translate it into practical applications.

• Keywords
• microarray, mitochondrial activity, oocyte maturation, pig,
• MeSH
• Cell Hypoxia genetics   MeSH
• In Vitro Oocyte Maturation Techniques MeSH
• Cells, Cultured MeSH
• Mitochondria genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Oocytes cytology   metabolism   MeSH
• Oogenesis genetics   MeSH
• Swine MeSH
• Signal Transduction MeSH
• Transforming Growth Factor beta metabolism   MeSH
• Transcriptome * MeSH
• Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases metabolism   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Transforming Growth Factor beta MeSH
• Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases MeSH

Proper maturation of the mammalian oocyte is a compound processes determining successful monospermic fertilization, however the number of fully mature porcine oocytes is still unsatisfactory. Since oocytes' maturation and fertilization involve cellular adhesion and membranous contact, the aim was to investigate cell adhesion ontology group in porcine oocytes. The oocytes were collected from ovaries of 45 pubertal crossbred Landrace gilts and subjected to two BCB tests. After the first test, only granulosa cell-free BCB⁺ oocytes were directly exposed to microarray assays and RT-qPCR ("before IVM" group), or first in vitro matured and then if classified as BCB⁺ passed to molecular analyses ("after IVM" group). As a result, we have discovered substantial down-regulation of genes involved in adhesion processes, such as: organization of actin cytoskeleton, migration, proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, survival or angiogenesis in porcine oocytes after IVM, compared to oocytes analyzed before IVM. In conclusion, we found that biological adhesion may be recognized as the process involved in porcine oocytes' successful IVM. Down-regulation of genes included in this ontology group in immature oocytes after IVM points to their unique function in oocyte's achievement of fully mature stages. Thus, results indicated new molecular markers involved in porcine oocyte IVM, displaying essential roles in biological adhesion processes.

• Keywords
• gamete biology, in vitro maturation (IVM), molecular biology, oocytes, pig,
• MeSH
• Apoptosis MeSH
• Cell Adhesion MeSH
• Cell Differentiation MeSH
• Down-Regulation * MeSH
• Gene Regulatory Networks * MeSH
• In Vitro Oocyte Maturation Techniques veterinary   MeSH
• Oocytes cytology   metabolism   MeSH
• Oogenesis MeSH
• Swine MeSH
• Cell Proliferation MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH