The role of NF-kB in oocyte development competence.

• Grant number: 23/15188-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2024
• End date: December 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Reproduction
• Principal Investigator: Mateus José Sudano
• Grantee: Adriano Cavalcanti Cardoso
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 18/21496-8 - Pathways for embryo-derived pregnancy, AP.JP

Abstract

To ensure the proper functioning of a cell, precise regulation of gene expression is required. In this context, the transcription factor NF-kB is involved in various biological processes, responding to pro-inflammatory cytokine stimuli such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-±), and regulating the expression of genes related to immune responses, inflammation, and cell survival. While well-established, knowledge about oocyte development physiology still lacks an understanding of the functioning of this pathway in this process. In this regard, the present research aims to investigate the involvement of NF-kB in oocyte development and determine if it is activated in response to TNF-± stimulation. To do so, bovine oocytes will undergo two experiments, and subsequently, clivage rates, blastocyst production, hatching, apoptosis, and the expression of NF-kB pathway proteins will be evaluated. For statistical analysis, the obtained data will be subjected to GLM and GLIMMIX procedures and assessed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) with the least squares method, considering P<0.05.