Differential expression pattern of genes involved in oxygen metabolism in epithelial oviductal cells during primary in vitro culture

Oxygen metabolism is crucial in establishing successful pregnancy, since excessive amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) may exert deleterious effects on the developing embryo. There are several defense mechanisms against oxidative stress in the female reproductive tract, including production of antioxidant enzymes by oviductal epithelial cells (OECs). Undoubtedly, OECs play major part in female fertility and may also serve as an in vitro model of the oviduct. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the expression of genes involved in oxygen metabolism. We have isolated OECs from oviducts of crossbred gilts (n=45) and maintained their in vitro culture for 30 days, collecting their RNA at days 1, 7, 15 and 30. The gene expression was determined with the use of Affymetrix® Porcine Gene 1.1 ST Array Strip. Our results revealed 166 differentially expressed genes belonging to four ontology groups: „cellular response to oxidative stress”, “cellular response to oxygen-containing compound”, “cellular response to oxygen levels” and “cellular response to reactive oxygen species”, most of which are also involved in other major processes in the organism. However, our findings provide a valuable insight into porcine reproductive biology and may be utilized in optimization of assisted reproduction techniques.

Running title: Genes involved in oxygen metabolism in oviductal epithelial cells