Transcriptomic signature of cumulus cells that underpin the functional completeness of bovine oocytes

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K05937
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 42010:Animal production science-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
• Principal Investigator: Sugimura Satoshi 東京農工大学, (連合)農学研究科(研究院), 准教授 (00728454)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 卵母細胞 / 発生能 / 卵胞細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The developmental competence, which is a function of oocytes, is regulated by follicular cells such as cumulus cells and granulosa cells that surround them. So far, I showed that follicle growth treatment (FGT) with FSH improves the developmental competence of oocytes. From RNA-seq and metabolome analysis, it was shown that FGT with FSH suppresses excessive glucose metabolism of follicle cells, thereby suppressing follicle cell regression and migration. Hence I demonstrated that the developmental competence of oocytes is acquired and maintained by the coupling of the follicular cell-oocyte signaling network.

Free Research Field

動物生殖学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究において、卵母細胞の機能的完全性、すなわち、発生能の獲得・維持機構の一旦が明らかになった。卵母細胞の発生能獲得機構の全容解明の一助になるだけでなく、本研究の知見に基づいた卵母細胞の体外培養系の開発により、家畜の効率的生産、育種改良の迅速化が期待される。