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. 2025 Sep;312(3):937-947.
doi: 10.1007/s00404-025-08090-8. Epub 2025 Jun 21.

Expression of growth factors in buffalo ovarian tissue across different follicular developmental stages

Seham Samir Soliman  1 , Marwa El-Sheikh  2 , Dalia A Taha  3 , Karima A Hamed  3 , Wagdy K B Khalil  3
Affiliations

Expression of growth factors in buffalo ovarian tissue across different follicular developmental stages

Seham Samir Soliman et al. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2025 Sep.

Abstract

Background: In assisted reproduction, poor ovarian response to stimulation negatively affects oocyte yield and is influenced by genetic factors.

Objective: This study aimed to quantify the mRNA expression of key growth markers (BMP15, GDF9, OCT4, and FGFR2) in ovarian tissue according to the developmental stages of the follicle.

Methods: Samples were collected from ovarian tissue. Gene expression levels were analyzed using RT-qPCR. In addition, ELISA was used to measure the concentrations of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), along with reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) as oxidative stress markers.

Results: OCT4 expression was similar in preantral and small follicles but significantly upregulated in medium and large follicles. GDF9 expression and SOD activity were highest in small follicles (P < 0.05). BMP15 levels were significantly elevated in small and medium follicles compared to preantral follicles but remained unchanged in large follicles (P < 0.05). FGFR2 expression increased progressively with follicle size (P < 0.05). GPx activity was directly proportional to follicle size, with the lowest levels in preantral follicles. Conversely, ROS, MDA, and CAT concentrations decreased as follicle size increased.

Conclusion: These findings provide insights into the molecular regulation of follicular development in buffalo, which could aid in improving reproductive efficiency in assisted reproduction programs.

Keywords: Buffalo; Follicle development; Ovarian tissue; Oxidative stress; mRNA transcription.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethical approval: Experiments were approved by “the Institutional Medical Research Ethical Committee” at the National Research Centre in Egypt (Number 05410723).

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The expression of the OCT4, BMP15, GDF9, and FGFR2 genes in different buffalo follicles. Values are presented as mean ± SEM. a,b,c,dStatistically significant differences (P < 0.05)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Intracellular SOD enzyme activities in different buffalo’s follicles. Mean ± SEM was selected to present the data. a,b,cStatistically significant differences (P < 0.05)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Intracellular CAT enzyme activities in different buffalo follicles. Mean ± SEM was selected to present the data. a,b,cStatistically significant differences (P < 0.05)
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Intracellular GPx enzyme activities in different buffalo’s follicles. Mean ± SEM was selected to present the data. a,b,cStatistically significant differences (P < 0.05)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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