Expression, Regulation, and Functional Characterization of FST Gene in Porcine Granulosa Cells

ABSTRACT

Proliferation, differentiation, and estrogen secretion of granulosa cells are the key factors affecting the estrous after weaning in sows. The objective of this study was to evaluate the expression of Follistatin (FST) in the ovary of Xiushui Hang and Duroc sows at weaning and estrus, the effect of FSH on transcript abundance of FST gene in granulosa cells and the role of FST gene in the weaning to estrus using siRNAs targeted to FST gene. In the present study, expression of the FST mRNA was evaluated by real time PCR. The FST mRNA levels showed a reduction from weaning to the estrus in both Xiushui Hang and Duroc sows, and the mRNA levels in Duroc ovary was higher than in Xiushui Hang sows at the beginning of estrus. Granulosa cells were obtained from the two largest follicles around follicular deviation, FST expression was decreased sharply after treatment with FSH (250 ng/ml). Knockdown of FST by siRNA in porcine granulosa cells significantly increased cell proliferation and estrogen secretion. These results indicate that FST gene is a negative regulator of follicle growth and function during the weaning-estrus interval.

KEYWORDS:

• FSH
• FST
• granulosa cell
• RNAi
• weaning-estrus interval

Acknowledgments

Q.-Y. Zhou, M.-C. Wan contributed equally to this work. Q.-Y. Zhou, M.-C. Wan, and Q.-P. Wei were instrumental in designing and conducting the study, and they were helped by Q.-L. Song, L.-G. Xiong, and J.-H. Huo in conducting the study. J.-N. Huang have made analysis as well as written works.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31060300), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31201785), the Natural Science Foundation of JiangXi Province (20133BAB21005), and the Natural Science Foundation of JiangXi Province (20142BAB214018).