Tribulus terrestrisAlters the Expression of Growth Differentiation Factor 9 and Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15 in Rabbit Ovaries of Mothers and F1 Female Offspring

Abstract

Although previous research has demonstrated the key role of the oocyte-derived factors, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) 15 and growth differentiation factor (GDF) 9, in follicular development and ovulation, there is a lack of knowledge on the impact of external factors, which females are exposed to during folliculogenesis, on their expression. The present study investigated the effect of the aphrodisiacTribulus terrestrison the GDF9 and BMP15 expression in the oocytes and cumulus cells at mRNA and protein levels during folliculogen esis in two generations of female rabbits. The experiment was conducted with 28New Zea land rabbits. Only the diet of the experimental mothers group was supplemented with a dry extract ofT.terrestrisfor the 45 days prior to insemination. The expression of BMP15 and GDF9 genes in the oocytes and cumulus cells of mothers and F1 female offspring was ana lyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The localization of the GDF9 and BMP15 proteins in the ovary tissues was determined by immunohistochemical analy sis. The BMP15 and GDF9 transcripts were detected in the oocytes and cumulus cells of rabbits from all groups.T.terrestriscaused a decrease in the BMP15 mRNA level in the oocytes and an increase in the cumulus cells. The GDF9 mRNA level increased significantly in both oocytes and cumulus cells. The downregulated expression of BMP15 in the treated mothers’ oocytes was inherited in the F1 female offspring born to treated mothers. BMP15 and GDF9 show a clearly expressed sensitivity to the bioactive compounds ofT.terrestris.