TGF[Beta] (transforming growth factor [Beta]) superfamily members and their receptors in the fetal porcine ovaries: effect of prenatal flutamide treatment

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of androgen deficiency induced by flutamide on the expression of TGFb superfamily members and their receptors which are involved in follicle formation and its transition to the primary stage. Pregnant gilts were injected with flutamide (for seven days, 50 mg/day/kg b.w.) or corn oil (controls) starting at 43 (GD50), 83 (GD90) or 101 (GD108) gestational day. The expression in fetal ovaries of selected TGFb superfamily members (AMH, BMP4, GDF9), their receptors (AMHR-II, BMPR-IB, BMPR-II), and Smad1 and Smad3 proteins involved in signal transduction were investigated by real-time PCR and/or immunohistochemistry. Flutamide treatment increased the expression of BMP4 mRNA on GD50 and GD108 and BMPR-IB mRNA on GD50. The expression of BMPR-II was decreased at mRNA level and lower immunostaining intensity was observed after flutamide administration only on GD50. GDF9 and AMHR-II mRNA expression levels were significantly downregulated in both GD90 and GD108 groups.