To investigate the regulatory role of follicle-stimulating h…
To investigate the regulatory role of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) on thecal androgen production and evaluate its impact on steroidogenic gene expression and oocyte viability in bovine follicles. Objective 1: To evaluate the effects of varying concentrations of FSH on proliferation rate and thecal androgen production in in vitro cultured bovine follicles. Hypothesis 1: FSH does not directly affect thecal androgen production in cultured bovine follicles. Objective 2: To examine the impact of FSH concentration on the transcriptomic profiles of steroidogenic-related genes in bovine follicles. Hypothesis 2: FSH concentration modulates the expression patterns of key steroidogenic genes involved in androgen and estrogen synthesis. Objective 3: To assess the effects of excessive FSH treatments on oocyte transcriptome integrity and viability. Hypothesis 3: Excessive FSH disrupts oocyte viability and alters the transcriptomic profile, potentially impairing subsequent follicular development. References: Armstrong, D.T., et al. (1979). Regulation of Follicular Estrogen Biosynthesis. Ben-Chetrit, A., et al. (1996). Ovarian Response to Recombinant Human FSH in LH-Depleted Women.