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Changes in the gene expression of adiponectin and adiponectin receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) in bovine reproductive system during the estrous cycle and pregnancy
Abstracts a
Physiology Department, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran b Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center (WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Training in Cardiovascular Diseases Control), Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, PO Box 81465–1148, Isfahan, Iran E-mail addresses: [email protected] (S. Haghjoo), [email protected] (F. Haghdoost), [email protected] (K. Keyhanian), [email protected] (A.A. Samety), [email protected] (P. Loghmani), [email protected] (L. Rafiee), [email protected] (N. Sarrafzadegan), [email protected] (S. Asgari) Introduction: Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) which is a rate-limiting enzyme in heme degradation process shows a dinucleotide GT repeat in the promoter that alters the level of gene transcription. This study aimed to assess the association of HO-1 gene promoter polymorphism and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Method: 152 individuals, who were followed in Isfahan Cohort Study since 2001, enrolled in this study. They consist of 78 MetS patients and 74 controls without MetS. Blood samples were obtained from all participants and after extracting the genomic DNA, promoter sequence was determined by PCR-based genotyping. The serum levels of iron, ferritin and bilirubin were also measured in all subjects. Results: The proportion of short and long allele frequency did not significantly differ in patients with metabolic syndrome compared to control group (P = 0.121). Ferritin and direct bilirubin showed higher levels in patients carrying short alleles (p< 0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that there is no significant difference between two groups in (GT)n repeat of HO-1 gene promoter. These findings suggest the insignificant role of genetic risk factors compared to environmental risk factors in the development of MetS. Keywords: Metabolic syndrome, Gene polymorphism, Ho-1, GT repeat, Promoter polymorphism, Atherosclerosis
doi:10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2011.08.765
Poster – [A-10-1121-1] Changes in the gene expression of adiponectin and adiponectin receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) in pituitary and hypothalamus during the estrous cycle and pregnancy Mohammad Reza Tabandeha, Arsalan Hosseinib, Parisa Sarkoohia, Samira Seifia a Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran b Department of Pathobiology, Division of Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran E-mail addresses: [email protected] (M.R. Tabandeh), [email protected] (A. Hosseini), [email protected] (P. Sarkoohi), [email protected] (S. Seifi) Introduction: Adiponectin is one of the most important, recently discovered adipocytokines that acts at various levels to control male and female fertility through central effects on the hypothalamuspituitary axis or through peripheral effects on the ovary, uterus, and embryo. Mice bearing null mutations of the adiponectin gene are fertile, but transgenic mice that have higher serum adiponectin than normal are infertile. A few reports have indicated that serum adiponectin does not change during the menstrual cycle in the human however; no information is available on adiponectin and its receptors gene expression changes during the estrous cycle in
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domestic animals. We studied simultaneous changes in the gene expression pattern of adiponectin and adiponectin receptors 1 and 2 (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) in bovine pituitary and hypothalamus during the estrous cycle and pregnancy. Materials and methods: Bovine anterior pituitary, lateral and median hypothalamus at different days of the estrous cycle and during the five months of pregnancy was collected at the local abattoir. The estrous cycle was classified to four stages (proestrous, metstrous, early diestrous and late diestrous) based on macroscopic examination of both ovaries and uteri according to Ireland method. Months of pregnancy were detected by measuring fetal crown to nose length. To evaluate the level of adiponectin and its receptors gene expression in different tissues quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed using qPCR™ Green Master Kit for SYBR Green I® (Jena Bioscience, Germany). Relative quantification was performed according to the comparative 2-ΔΔCt method. Results: The lowest expression of AdipoRII was detected in anterior hypophysis during the late luteal phase (p < 0.05). In the median hypothalamus, the expression of adiponectin receptors was the highest during the late luteal phase (P < 0.05). The expression of all genes was increased in the anterior hypophysis, median and lateral hypothalamus from months 1 to 5 of pregnancy (p < 0.05). Keywords: Adiponectin, Adiponectin receptors, Gene expression, Pituitary, Hypothalamus, Estrous cycle and pregnancy doi:10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2011.08.766
Poster – [A-10-1121-2] Changes in the gene expression of adiponectin and adiponectin receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) in bovine reproductive system during the estrous cycle and pregnancy Mohammad Reza Tabandeha, Arsalan Hosseinib, Parisa Sarkoohia, Marzieh Pashmforousha a Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran b Department of Pathobiology, Division of Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran E-mail addresses: [email protected] (M.R. Tabandeh), [email protected] (A. Hosseini), [email protected] (P. Sarkoohi), [email protected] (M. Pashmforoush) Introduction: Adiponectin is one of the most important, recently discovered adipocytokines that acts at various levels to control male and female fertility through central effects on the hypothalamuspituitary axis or through peripheral effects on the ovary, uterus, and embryo. Mice bearing null mutations of the adiponectin gene are fertile, but transgenic mice that have higher serum adiponectin than normal are infertile. A few reports have indicated that serum adiponectin does not change during the menstrual cycle in the human however; no information is available on serum adiponectin changes during the estrous cycle in domestic animals. We studied simultaneous changes in the gene expression pattern of adiponectin and adiponectin receptors 1 and 2 (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) in bovine reproductive tract during the estrous cycle and pregnancy. Materials and methods: Apparently healthy bovine uteri, oviduct (isthmus and ampula), vagina and cervix at different days of the estrous cycle and during the five months of pregnancy were collected at the local abattoir. The estrous cycle was classified to four stages (proestrous, metstrous, early diestrous and late diestrous) based on macroscopic examination of both ovaries and uteri according to Ireland method. Months of pregnancy were detected by measuring fetal crown to nose length. To evaluate the level of adiponectin and its
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Abstracts
receptors gene expression in different tissue quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed using qPCR™ Green Master Kit for SYBR Green I® (Jena Bioscience, Germany). Relative quantification was performed according to the comparative 2-ΔΔCt method. Results: The expression of adiponectin and its receptors in the isthmus and ampula of the oviduct was the highest in met estrous and the lowest in the late luteal phase (p < 0.05). The expression of adiponectin receptors was the highest in vagina, cervix and uterus at the beginning of luteal phase and proestrous (p < 0.05). Adiponectin and its receptors expression was decreased from months 1 to 5 of pregnancy in different parts of reproductive tissues of the cow, with the exception of the cervix (p < 0.05). Increasing of the adiponectin expression was detected in caruncle and cotyledon of placenta from months 1 to 5 of pregnancy (p < 0.05). The opposite pattern of adiponectin receptors expression was detected in placental tissues (p < 0.05). In fetal membranes, the expression of all genes was increased from months 1 to 5 of pregnancy.
Green Master Kit for SYBR Green I® (Jena Bioscience, Germany). Relative quantification was performed according to the comparative 2-ΔΔCt method. Levels of total T3 and T4 and free T3 (fT3) and free T4 (fT4) were determined with the RIA kits (Immunotech., Radiová, Czech Republic). Results: The results indicated that adiponectin mRNA level increased significantly in hyperthyroid rats compared with the normal and hypothyroid rats (P < 0.05). Whereas, adiponectin mRNA level in hypothyroid rats decreased significantly in compared with hyperthyroid and normal rats (P < 0.05). Adiponectin mRNA level had a positive correlation with serum thyroxine (r = 0.861, P = 0.01), triiodothyronine (r = 0.893, P = 0.01), fT3 (r = 0.794, P = 0.01) and fT4 (r = 0.697, P = 0.01). Similar results were found about the gene expression pattern of adiponectin receptors in rat adipose tissue in hypo and hyperthyroidism. In conclusion, gene expression levels of adiponectin and its receptors were increased in hyperthyroidism and decreased in hypothyroidism states.
Keywords: Adiponectin, Adiponectin receptors, Gene expression, Reproductive, Estrous cycle, Pregnancy, Bovine
Keywords: Adiponectin, Adiponectin receptors, Gene expression, Adipose tissue, Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism, Rat doi:10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2011.08.768
doi:10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2011.08.767
Poster – [A-10-1121-3] Interaction of adiponectin and its receptors gene expression in adipose tissue with thyroid hormones in experimental hypo and hyperthyroidism in rat Mohammad Reza Tabandeha, Saied Nazifib, Samira Seific, Mehdi Saebd, Sadegh Shiriane, Parisa Sarkoohia a Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran b Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran c Islamic Azad University, Research and Science Branch, Tehran, Iran d Department of Biochemistry, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran e Department of Phatobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran E-mail addresses: [email protected] (M.R. Tabandeh), [email protected] (S. Nazifi), [email protected] (S. Seifi), [email protected] (M. Saeb), [email protected] (S. Shirian), [email protected] (P. Sarkoohi) Introduction: Adiponectin, an adipocyte-derived protein, is an important component of the homeostatic mechanisms that regulates body weight and lipid/carbohydrate metabolism. Available experimental data suggest that adiponectin and thyroid hormones share some biological effects but the molecular mechanisms of regulation of adiponectin and its receptors gene expression by thyroid hormones is unknown The studies described herein were intended to examine the mechanism of regulation of adiponectin gene expression in rat adipose tissue in both hypo and hyper thyroidism. Materials and methods: Sixty healthy adult male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups, as control (fresh water), hypothyroidism group (methimazole in the drinking water for 42 days, 250 mg/l), and hyperthyroidism group (levothyrocsin in the drinking water for 42 days, 12 mg/l). Hypothyroid, hyperthyroid and euthyroid rats were killed after 15, 28 and 42 days of treatment and also two week after treatment cessation. The retroperitoneal (RET) and epididymal (EPI) white adipose tissues were removed completely for mRNA isolation. To evaluate the level of adiponectin gene expression in adipose tissue of different treated animals quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed using qPCR™
Poster – [A-10-1121-4] Novel gene expression pattern of adiponectin and adiponectin receptors in dominant and nondominant follicles and oocytes screened for their developmental competence based on brilliant cresyl blue staining Mohammad Reza Tabandeha, Mojtaba Kafib, Arsalan Hosseinic, Mehdi Saebd, Navid Golestanib, Parisa Sarkoohia a Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran b Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran c Department of Pathobiology, Division of Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran d Department of Biochemistry, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran E-mail addresses: [email protected] (M.R. Tabandeh), [email protected] (M. Kafi), [email protected] (A. Hosseini), [email protected] (M. Saeb), [email protected] (P. Sarkoohi) Introduction: Adiponectin and its receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) are novel endocrine systems that act at various levels to control male and female fertility. The aim of this study was to investigate the gene expression pattern of this system in ovarian cells of dominant (DFs) and non dominant follicles (NDFs) and also in cumulus–oocyte complexes screened for their developmental competence based on brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) staining. Materials and methods: Based on estradiol/progesterone ratio, two largest follicles from ovaries collected at a slaughterhouse were classified as NDFs and DFs. In addition the stages of the estrous cycle (follicular or luteal phases) were defined by macroscopic observation of the ovaries and the uterus. Compact cumulus–oocyte complexes were stained with BCB for 90 min. The relative expression of adiponectin, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 mRNA in theca and cumulus cells and oocytes of different follicles were determined by quantitative real time PCR and qPCR™ Green Master Kit for SYBR Green I® (Jena Bioscience, Germany). Relative quantification was performed according to the comparative 2-ΔΔCt method. Results: Adiponectin and its receptors genes were clearly expressed higher (P < 0.05) in theca and cumulus cells and oocytes of DFs than those of NDFs during the follicular and luteal phases of bovine estrous cycle. BCB +cumulus–oocyte complexes showed a higher (P < 0.05) expression of adiponectin and its receptors
Physiology Department, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran b Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center (WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Training in Cardiovascular Diseases Control), Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, PO Box 81465–1148, Isfahan, Iran E-mail addresses: [email protected] (S. Haghjoo), [email protected] (F. Haghdoost), [email protected] (K. Keyhanian), [email protected] (A.A. Samety), [email protected] (P. Loghmani), [email protected] (L. Rafiee), [email protected] (N. Sarrafzadegan), [email protected] (S. Asgari) Introduction: Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) which is a rate-limiting enzyme in heme degradation process shows a dinucleotide GT repeat in the promoter that alters the level of gene transcription. This study aimed to assess the association of HO-1 gene promoter polymorphism and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Method: 152 individuals, who were followed in Isfahan Cohort Study since 2001, enrolled in this study. They consist of 78 MetS patients and 74 controls without MetS. Blood samples were obtained from all participants and after extracting the genomic DNA, promoter sequence was determined by PCR-based genotyping. The serum levels of iron, ferritin and bilirubin were also measured in all subjects. Results: The proportion of short and long allele frequency did not significantly differ in patients with metabolic syndrome compared to control group (P = 0.121). Ferritin and direct bilirubin showed higher levels in patients carrying short alleles (p< 0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that there is no significant difference between two groups in (GT)n repeat of HO-1 gene promoter. These findings suggest the insignificant role of genetic risk factors compared to environmental risk factors in the development of MetS. Keywords: Metabolic syndrome, Gene polymorphism, Ho-1, GT repeat, Promoter polymorphism, Atherosclerosis
doi:10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2011.08.765
Poster – [A-10-1121-1] Changes in the gene expression of adiponectin and adiponectin receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) in pituitary and hypothalamus during the estrous cycle and pregnancy Mohammad Reza Tabandeha, Arsalan Hosseinib, Parisa Sarkoohia, Samira Seifia a Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran b Department of Pathobiology, Division of Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran E-mail addresses: [email protected] (M.R. Tabandeh), [email protected] (A. Hosseini), [email protected] (P. Sarkoohi), [email protected] (S. Seifi) Introduction: Adiponectin is one of the most important, recently discovered adipocytokines that acts at various levels to control male and female fertility through central effects on the hypothalamuspituitary axis or through peripheral effects on the ovary, uterus, and embryo. Mice bearing null mutations of the adiponectin gene are fertile, but transgenic mice that have higher serum adiponectin than normal are infertile. A few reports have indicated that serum adiponectin does not change during the menstrual cycle in the human however; no information is available on adiponectin and its receptors gene expression changes during the estrous cycle in
S303
domestic animals. We studied simultaneous changes in the gene expression pattern of adiponectin and adiponectin receptors 1 and 2 (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) in bovine pituitary and hypothalamus during the estrous cycle and pregnancy. Materials and methods: Bovine anterior pituitary, lateral and median hypothalamus at different days of the estrous cycle and during the five months of pregnancy was collected at the local abattoir. The estrous cycle was classified to four stages (proestrous, metstrous, early diestrous and late diestrous) based on macroscopic examination of both ovaries and uteri according to Ireland method. Months of pregnancy were detected by measuring fetal crown to nose length. To evaluate the level of adiponectin and its receptors gene expression in different tissues quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed using qPCR™ Green Master Kit for SYBR Green I® (Jena Bioscience, Germany). Relative quantification was performed according to the comparative 2-ΔΔCt method. Results: The lowest expression of AdipoRII was detected in anterior hypophysis during the late luteal phase (p < 0.05). In the median hypothalamus, the expression of adiponectin receptors was the highest during the late luteal phase (P < 0.05). The expression of all genes was increased in the anterior hypophysis, median and lateral hypothalamus from months 1 to 5 of pregnancy (p < 0.05). Keywords: Adiponectin, Adiponectin receptors, Gene expression, Pituitary, Hypothalamus, Estrous cycle and pregnancy doi:10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2011.08.766
Poster – [A-10-1121-2] Changes in the gene expression of adiponectin and adiponectin receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) in bovine reproductive system during the estrous cycle and pregnancy Mohammad Reza Tabandeha, Arsalan Hosseinib, Parisa Sarkoohia, Marzieh Pashmforousha a Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran b Department of Pathobiology, Division of Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran E-mail addresses: [email protected] (M.R. Tabandeh), [email protected] (A. Hosseini), [email protected] (P. Sarkoohi), [email protected] (M. Pashmforoush) Introduction: Adiponectin is one of the most important, recently discovered adipocytokines that acts at various levels to control male and female fertility through central effects on the hypothalamuspituitary axis or through peripheral effects on the ovary, uterus, and embryo. Mice bearing null mutations of the adiponectin gene are fertile, but transgenic mice that have higher serum adiponectin than normal are infertile. A few reports have indicated that serum adiponectin does not change during the menstrual cycle in the human however; no information is available on serum adiponectin changes during the estrous cycle in domestic animals. We studied simultaneous changes in the gene expression pattern of adiponectin and adiponectin receptors 1 and 2 (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) in bovine reproductive tract during the estrous cycle and pregnancy. Materials and methods: Apparently healthy bovine uteri, oviduct (isthmus and ampula), vagina and cervix at different days of the estrous cycle and during the five months of pregnancy were collected at the local abattoir. The estrous cycle was classified to four stages (proestrous, metstrous, early diestrous and late diestrous) based on macroscopic examination of both ovaries and uteri according to Ireland method. Months of pregnancy were detected by measuring fetal crown to nose length. To evaluate the level of adiponectin and its
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Abstracts
receptors gene expression in different tissue quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed using qPCR™ Green Master Kit for SYBR Green I® (Jena Bioscience, Germany). Relative quantification was performed according to the comparative 2-ΔΔCt method. Results: The expression of adiponectin and its receptors in the isthmus and ampula of the oviduct was the highest in met estrous and the lowest in the late luteal phase (p < 0.05). The expression of adiponectin receptors was the highest in vagina, cervix and uterus at the beginning of luteal phase and proestrous (p < 0.05). Adiponectin and its receptors expression was decreased from months 1 to 5 of pregnancy in different parts of reproductive tissues of the cow, with the exception of the cervix (p < 0.05). Increasing of the adiponectin expression was detected in caruncle and cotyledon of placenta from months 1 to 5 of pregnancy (p < 0.05). The opposite pattern of adiponectin receptors expression was detected in placental tissues (p < 0.05). In fetal membranes, the expression of all genes was increased from months 1 to 5 of pregnancy.
Green Master Kit for SYBR Green I® (Jena Bioscience, Germany). Relative quantification was performed according to the comparative 2-ΔΔCt method. Levels of total T3 and T4 and free T3 (fT3) and free T4 (fT4) were determined with the RIA kits (Immunotech., Radiová, Czech Republic). Results: The results indicated that adiponectin mRNA level increased significantly in hyperthyroid rats compared with the normal and hypothyroid rats (P < 0.05). Whereas, adiponectin mRNA level in hypothyroid rats decreased significantly in compared with hyperthyroid and normal rats (P < 0.05). Adiponectin mRNA level had a positive correlation with serum thyroxine (r = 0.861, P = 0.01), triiodothyronine (r = 0.893, P = 0.01), fT3 (r = 0.794, P = 0.01) and fT4 (r = 0.697, P = 0.01). Similar results were found about the gene expression pattern of adiponectin receptors in rat adipose tissue in hypo and hyperthyroidism. In conclusion, gene expression levels of adiponectin and its receptors were increased in hyperthyroidism and decreased in hypothyroidism states.
Keywords: Adiponectin, Adiponectin receptors, Gene expression, Reproductive, Estrous cycle, Pregnancy, Bovine
Keywords: Adiponectin, Adiponectin receptors, Gene expression, Adipose tissue, Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism, Rat doi:10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2011.08.768
doi:10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2011.08.767
Poster – [A-10-1121-3] Interaction of adiponectin and its receptors gene expression in adipose tissue with thyroid hormones in experimental hypo and hyperthyroidism in rat Mohammad Reza Tabandeha, Saied Nazifib, Samira Seific, Mehdi Saebd, Sadegh Shiriane, Parisa Sarkoohia a Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran b Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran c Islamic Azad University, Research and Science Branch, Tehran, Iran d Department of Biochemistry, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran e Department of Phatobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran E-mail addresses: [email protected] (M.R. Tabandeh), [email protected] (S. Nazifi), [email protected] (S. Seifi), [email protected] (M. Saeb), [email protected] (S. Shirian), [email protected] (P. Sarkoohi) Introduction: Adiponectin, an adipocyte-derived protein, is an important component of the homeostatic mechanisms that regulates body weight and lipid/carbohydrate metabolism. Available experimental data suggest that adiponectin and thyroid hormones share some biological effects but the molecular mechanisms of regulation of adiponectin and its receptors gene expression by thyroid hormones is unknown The studies described herein were intended to examine the mechanism of regulation of adiponectin gene expression in rat adipose tissue in both hypo and hyper thyroidism. Materials and methods: Sixty healthy adult male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups, as control (fresh water), hypothyroidism group (methimazole in the drinking water for 42 days, 250 mg/l), and hyperthyroidism group (levothyrocsin in the drinking water for 42 days, 12 mg/l). Hypothyroid, hyperthyroid and euthyroid rats were killed after 15, 28 and 42 days of treatment and also two week after treatment cessation. The retroperitoneal (RET) and epididymal (EPI) white adipose tissues were removed completely for mRNA isolation. To evaluate the level of adiponectin gene expression in adipose tissue of different treated animals quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed using qPCR™
Poster – [A-10-1121-4] Novel gene expression pattern of adiponectin and adiponectin receptors in dominant and nondominant follicles and oocytes screened for their developmental competence based on brilliant cresyl blue staining Mohammad Reza Tabandeha, Mojtaba Kafib, Arsalan Hosseinic, Mehdi Saebd, Navid Golestanib, Parisa Sarkoohia a Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran b Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran c Department of Pathobiology, Division of Immunology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran d Department of Biochemistry, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran E-mail addresses: [email protected] (M.R. Tabandeh), [email protected] (M. Kafi), [email protected] (A. Hosseini), [email protected] (M. Saeb), [email protected] (P. Sarkoohi) Introduction: Adiponectin and its receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) are novel endocrine systems that act at various levels to control male and female fertility. The aim of this study was to investigate the gene expression pattern of this system in ovarian cells of dominant (DFs) and non dominant follicles (NDFs) and also in cumulus–oocyte complexes screened for their developmental competence based on brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) staining. Materials and methods: Based on estradiol/progesterone ratio, two largest follicles from ovaries collected at a slaughterhouse were classified as NDFs and DFs. In addition the stages of the estrous cycle (follicular or luteal phases) were defined by macroscopic observation of the ovaries and the uterus. Compact cumulus–oocyte complexes were stained with BCB for 90 min. The relative expression of adiponectin, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 mRNA in theca and cumulus cells and oocytes of different follicles were determined by quantitative real time PCR and qPCR™ Green Master Kit for SYBR Green I® (Jena Bioscience, Germany). Relative quantification was performed according to the comparative 2-ΔΔCt method. Results: Adiponectin and its receptors genes were clearly expressed higher (P < 0.05) in theca and cumulus cells and oocytes of DFs than those of NDFs during the follicular and luteal phases of bovine estrous cycle. BCB +cumulus–oocyte complexes showed a higher (P < 0.05) expression of adiponectin and its receptors