Skowronska A, Mlotkowska P, Eliszewski M, Nielsen S, Skowronski M T
University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland.
Physiol Res. 2015;64(2):237-45. doi: 10.33549/physiolres.932825. Epub 2014 Oct 15.
Aquaporins (AQPs) are water channel proteins responsible for water homeostasis and important for proper functioning of all body systems, including reproductive structures. This study was designed to determine their localization and quantitative changes in the pig ovary during different stages of the estrous cycle and early pregnancy. The expression of AQP 1, 5 and 9 proteins was determined by immunocytochemistry and Western blot analyses. AQP1 was found in the plasma membranes of capillary endothelium, AQP5 - in the plasma membranes of granulosa cells of developing follicles and flattened follicle cells of the primordial follicles, and AQP9 - in granulosa cells of the developing follicles. In the cyclic pigs, the expression of AQP1 and 5 proteins was the highest on Days 18-20, but did not change significantly between Days 2-4, 10-12 and 14-16 of the cycle. In pregnant pigs (Days 14-16 and 30-32), the expression of AQP1 and 5 did not change and was similar to that observed during Days 10-12 and 14-16. In turn, AQP9 expression did not change between all studied periods. In conclusion, studied AQP are localized in different cells populations, the endothelial and granulosa cells, and AQP1 and 5 seem to be crucial for follicular development in pigs.
水通道蛋白（AQPs）是负责水稳态的水通道蛋白，对包括生殖结构在内的所有身体系统的正常功能都很重要。本研究旨在确定发情周期和早期妊娠不同阶段猪卵巢中水通道蛋白的定位和定量变化。通过免疫细胞化学和蛋白质印迹分析确定AQP 1、5和9蛋白的表达。发现AQP1存在于毛细血管内皮的质膜中，AQP5存在于发育卵泡的颗粒细胞和原始卵泡的扁平卵泡细胞的质膜中，AQP9存在于发育卵泡的颗粒细胞中。在周期性发情的猪中，AQP1和5蛋白的表达在第18 - 20天最高，但在周期的第2 - 4天、10 - 12天和14 - 16天之间没有显著变化。在怀孕的猪中（第14 - 16天和30 - 32天），AQP1和5的表达没有变化，与第10 - 12天和14 - 16天观察到的相似。而AQP9的表达在所有研究时期之间没有变化。总之，所研究的水通道蛋白定位于不同的细胞群体，即内皮细胞和颗粒细胞，并且AQP1和5似乎对猪的卵泡发育至关重要。
