The Effect of Androgen-mediated ZIP9 Signaling in the Cumulus-Oocyte Complex
Open Access
- Author:
- Strong, Samantha
- Area of Honors:
- Animal Sciences
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Francisco Javier Diaz, Thesis Supervisor
Troy Ott, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- ZIP9
COC
Cumulus-Oocyte Complex
Androgens
Diaz
Cumulus Expansion
Reproduction
Animal Science - Abstract:
- The ZIP9 protein has recently shown to bind androgens, but its effects on function of the cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) is not yet known. This research intends to gain a better understanding of the effects of androgens on ZIP9 protein and how it impacts the development and maturation of oocytes and cumulus cells. This was done by collecting cumulus-oocyte complexes and locating the presence of the ZIP9 protein in both cumulus cells and the oocyte. We then utilized immunofluorescence to identify the location of ZIP9 and the binding sites of testosterone. The complexes were then subjected to treatment with testosterone, a testosterone antagonist (Bicalutamide), and both the testosterone and the antagonist and imaged with light microscopy to evaluate the effects of treatments on morphology of the cumulus cells. Results showed the presence of ZIP9 and testosterone binding on the cell membrane of the oocyte and cumulus cells. Additionally, ZIP9 was observed on the mitotic spindle following maturation. When the COCs were exposed to testosterone and allowed to undergo cumulus expansion, we observed no obvious change from the cumulus expansion of COC’s in the control group. When the COC’s were exposed to a testosterone antagonist, the cumulus expansion was not as successful and when exposed to both testosterone and the antagonist, complete cumulus expansion failure was observed. After viewing the expansion, the oocytes were observed. Oocytes that were exposed to testosterone and the antagonist appeared to have an uneven and irregular surface, however all oocytes were alive, suggesting that there was an effect on the cytoskeleton or plasma membrane. This study demonstrated that there are several effects that testosterone or other androgens have on the development and maturation of cumulus-oocyte complexes.