Leptin and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in oocytes of sows and gilts

• DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2013.03.011
• Publication Date: 2013-03-30T03:07:26Z
• Authors: F. Moreira; C.D. Corcini; R.G. Mondadori; C. Gevehr-Fernandes; F.F. Mendes; E.G. Araújo; T. Lucia
• Keywords: Leptin; 0303 health sciences; 03 medical and health sciences; Ovarian Follicle; Swine; Oocytes; Animals; Female; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Immunohistochemistry; Signal Transduction

Leptin is a modulator of oocyte maturation and follicular development in swine. The MAPK are serine/threonine kinases that act as signal transduction pathways in swine ovaries. This study evaluated the presence of leptin, activated MAPK ERK 1/2 and p38 in oocytes of primordial/primary, secondary and tertiary follicles of gilts and sows. Ovaries from ten gilts and ten sows were collected in an abattoir, fixed in 10% formalin and prepared with classical histology methods. For immunohistochemistry, slides were incubated with polyclonal antibodies anti-leptin, anti-phospho ERK1/2 MAPK and anti-phospho p38 MAPK. Leptin immuno-labeling and the presence of activated ERK 1/2 MAPK were more intense for oocytes of sows (P<0.05), whereas p38 MAPK was more active for oocytes of gilts (P<0.05). Although no differences in immunolabeling for leptin and p38 MAPK were observed for oocytes of gilts at distinct follicle developmental stages (P>0.05), immunolabeling was intense for oocytes of sows included in primordial/primary follicles (P<0.05). Thus, leptin and p38 MAPK may be important to start oocyte development.