Journal article
In vitro effects of relaxin on gene expression in porcine cumulus-oocyte complexes and developing embryos
Jean M Feugang, Jonathan M Greene, Scott T Willard, Peter L Ryan
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY AND ENDOCRINOLOGY | BMC | Published : 2011
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Relaxin hormone peptide is found in porcine follicular and utero-tubal fluids, but its possible actions during early embryo development are still undetermined. Here, we investigated the effects of porcine relaxin during oocyte maturation and embryo development, and gene expression in the pig. METHODS: Immature cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were obtained from ovarian follicles of sows. In experiment 1, COCs were matured in the presence of 0, 20, or 40 ng relaxin/ml, or 10% (v/v) porcine follicular fluid. In experiment 2, COCs were in vitro matured, fertilized and resulting embryos were cultured in the presence of 0, 20, or 40 ng relaxin/ml. In experiment 3, COCs were matured in ..
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Awarded by USDA-ARS Biophotonics Initiative
Funding Acknowledgements
The authors thank the Southern Quality Meats (Pontotoc, Mississippi, USA) for facilitating the collection of ovaries. This work was supported by the USDA-ARS Biophotonics Initiative project # 58-6402-3-0120 and the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Station (MAFES).