Functional genomics of follicular growth and ovulation

该研究项目旨在鉴定和研究控制卵泡和卵母细胞发育的分子决定因素，这些决定因素与卵泡选择/优势和排卵有关。奶牛被用作工作模型，因为它模拟了在女性中观察到的卵泡发育的生理模式，并且代表了具有经济重要性的体内模型。通过应用cDNA消减杂交确定的分子决定因素，允许建立一个基因指数的颗粒细胞在不同的卵泡阶段，通过比较非选择占优势的卵泡，占优势的排卵卵泡。在卵泡发育和排卵的不同阶段，将通过RT-PCR研究所鉴定的基因（已知和新的cDNA）的表达模式。鉴定的新cDNA将通过其全长cDNA的克隆和测序来表征。对卵泡生长和排卵相关基因时空表达模式的研究将增加我们对这一生理过程的理解和控制：鉴定参与细胞增殖和细胞信号传导的新基因（细胞外和细胞内），影响组织重塑、愈合和炎症过程;增加用于体外受精、核移植和转基因的有能力卵母细胞的生产;为了提高在具有经济重要性的家养动物中针对卵泡同步化和卵巢超刺激程序的治疗的功效，以及用于人类的生育力和避孕计划;以及鉴定与生育力相关的候选基因，所述候选基因可用作涉及商业化和分配雄性和雌性配子的行业的育种计划中的遗传辅助选择的分子标记。

This research program aims at the identification and the study of molecular determinants that control the development of the ovarian follicle and oocyte, in relation to follicular selection/dominance and ovulation. The cow is used as the working model since it mimics the physiological pattern of follicular development observed in women, and represents an in vivo model of economic importance. Molecular determinants identified through the application of cDNA subtractive hybridization has allows the establishment of a gene index for granulosa cells at different follicular stages, by comparing non-selected to dominant follicles, and dominant to ovulatory follicles. The expression pattern of genes (known and novel cDNAs) identified, will be investigated by RT-PCR at different stages of follicular development and ovulation. The novel cDNAs identified, will be characterized by cloning and sequencing of their full-length cDNA. The study of the spatio-temporal expression pattern of genes in relation to follicular growth and ovulation will increase our understanding and control of this physiological process: to identify novel genes involved in cellular proliferation and cell signaling (extra and intra cellular) that impact on tissue remodeling, healing, and inflammatory processes; to increase the production of competent oocytes used for in vitro fertilization, nuclear transfer and transgenesis; to increase the efficacy of treatments aiming at follicle synchronization and ovarian super-stimulation programs in domesticated animals of economic importance, and in fertility and contraception programs in humans; and to identify candidate genes associated with fertility that can be used as molecular markers for genetic assisted selection in breeding programs of industries involved in commercializing and distributing male and female gametes.