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pp.1-7
포유류 난포의 폐쇄 과정은 매우 정교한 내분비적 조절작용에 의해 일어나며, 이 과정중에 발생하는 난포 내 과립세포의 퇴화는 핵응축 현상을 동반하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 본 연구는 핵응축 현상과 관련하여 돼지 난소 내 폐쇄난포의 과립세포가 퇴화 시 동반되는 세포 사멸이 아포토시스의 과정에 의해서 일어나는지의 여부와 아포토시스 관련 주요 단백질 분해 효소인 캐스파제-3과 연관된 세포 사멸 기전과 관련이 있는지에 대해서 조사하고자 하였다. 돼지 난소로부터 정
Ovarian follicular atresia in mammals is finely regulated by gonadotropins and sex steroid hormones. It is well known that granulosa cell pyknosis is a common cytological feature of atretic follicles in the ovary. The present study hypothesized that granulosa cell pyknosis during follicular atresia might be related to apoptotic process and associated with caspase-3 activation. Healthy (normal) and atretic follicles were isolated from porcine ovaries based on macro-morphological criteria. Isolated follicles were either processed for histological observation or used for collection of granulosa cells by aspiration. Hoechst 33258 staining of the cells showed a significantly higher number of fragmented nuclei, a typical morphological feature of apoptotic cell, in granulosa cells from atretic follicles than those from healthy follicles. In addition, the rate of cell death was significantly higher in granulosa cells from atretic follicles than healthy follicles, as measured by flow-cytometric cell cycle analysis. In situ detection of apoptotic cells by TUNEL revealed that apoptosis was mostly restricted to granulosa cells in follicles. Theca cells were TUNEL-negative. Finally, it has been shown by caspase-3 activity assay that granulosa cells from atretic follicles retain a higher caspase-3 activity compared to healthy follicles. Taken together, it is suggested that granulosa cell degeneration during folliclar atresia occurs by caspase-3-dependent apoptotic fashion.
