Follicle Selection and Differentation in the Avian Ovary

鸟类卵巢中的卵泡选择和分化

• 批准号: 1354713
• 负责人: Alan Johnson
• 金额: $ 26.1万
• 依托单位: Pennsylvania State Univ University Park
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2014
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2014-05-01 至 2018-04-30
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1354713&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Follicle; Selection; Differentation; Avian; Ovary

In all birds, reproduction (ability of the ovary to produce eggs) is dependent upon the initial development of a group of small, undifferentiated ovarian follicles. It is from this cohort that a single follicle is selected, often on a daily basis, to initiate growth prior to ovulation. The novel concept tested is that follicle selection, followed immediately by rapid growth and final differentiation, is dependent upon the acquisition of Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) receptor responsiveness. Initial studies using the domestic hen as the primary research model will establish the cellular mechanisms that prevent receptor signaling and maintain follicles in an undifferentiated state prior to follicle selection. One objective of the project is to test the hypothesis that ovarian follicle selection in birds represents a process in which a single undifferentiated follicle per day escapes inhibitory mechanisms and begins rapid growth and final maturation prior to ovulation. A second objective will focus on cellular mechanisms that regulate follicle growth and differentiation immediately subsequent to selection, including the initiation and entrainment of circadian rhythms within the ovary. The data generated from these studies are expected to: 1) enable initial predictions about mechanisms regulating follicle selection in non-avian vertebrates (e.g., reptiles and mammalian species); 2) describe cellular mechanisms that determine a bird's reproductive potential, and possibly identify mechanisms that enable multiple ovulations in mammals (including fraternal twins in humans); and 3) have practical implications to enhancing fecundity in both threatened/endangered species and food-producing animals. Research results will be regularly presented at professional society meetings, and all completed studies will be published in high quality research journals in a timely fashion. The funding provided will support both undergraduate and graduate student research projects. The Principal Investigator actively recruits and encourages the participation of women and students from underrepresented populations.

在所有的鸟类中，生殖（卵巢产卵的能力）依赖于一组小的、未分化的卵泡的初始发育。从这个队列中，通常每天选择一个卵泡，在排卵前开始生长。新概念的测试是卵泡选择，紧随其后的快速生长和最终分化，依赖于获得促卵泡激素（FSH）和血管活性肠肽（VIP）受体的反应性。以国内母鸡为主要研究模型的初步研究将建立在卵泡选择之前阻止受体信号传导和维持卵泡未分化状态的细胞机制。该项目的一个目标是验证这样一个假设，即鸟类的卵泡选择代表了一个过程，在这个过程中，每天有一个未分化的卵泡逃脱抑制机制，开始快速生长，并在排卵前最终成熟。第二个目标将集中在细胞机制，调节卵泡生长和分化后立即选择，包括启动和携带卵巢内的昼夜节律。这些研究产生的数据有望：1)能够初步预测非鸟类脊椎动物（如爬行动物和哺乳动物物种）卵泡选择的调节机制；2)描述决定鸟类生殖潜力的细胞机制，并可能确定哺乳动物多次排卵的机制（包括人类的异卵双胞胎）；3)对提高受威胁/濒危物种和粮食生产动物的繁殖力具有实际意义。研究成果将定期在专业学会会议上发表，所有已完成的研究将及时发表在高质量的研究期刊上。提供的资金将支持本科生和研究生的研究项目。首席研究员积极招募并鼓励来自代表性不足人群的妇女和学生的参与。