Expression of mRNAs encoding tumor necrosis factor-<img src='/image/spc_char/alpha.gif'> and its receptor–I in buffalo ovary

Abstract

The tumor necrosis factor-<img src='/image/spc_char/alpha.gif'> (TNF-<img src='/image/spc_char/alpha.gif'> ) plays an important role in ovarian follicular development and ovulation process and acts through its receptor (TNFRI). The present investigation describes the expression of mRNAs encoding TNF-<img src='/image/spc_char/alpha.gif'> and TNFRI in relation to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PDH) and β-actin as control genes, using RT-PCR, in granulosa cells, intact follicles and luteal tissues from buffalo ovary. There was significant higher expression of mRNAs encoding TNF-<img src='/image/spc_char/alpha.gif'> in granulosa cells from medium follicles and TNFRI expression increased with increase in size of follicles. Post-ovulatory structures (corpus luteum and corpus albicans) exhibited significantly higher expression of TNFRI mRNAs as compared to that obtained in intact follicles suggesting its immediate and critical role just after ovulation, for mediating TNF-<img src='/image/spc_char/alpha.gif'> action on these tissues. Though the expression of TNF-<img src='/image/spc_char/alpha.gif'> mRNA was stimulated by treatment of granulosa cells with FSH during culture, the expression of TNFRI mRNA did not change. The FSH alongwith IGF-I did not exert any effect. These results suggested an important role of TNF-<img src='/image/spc_char/alpha.gif'> and its receptor in buffalo ovarian functions.