Physiological roles of Hippo effectors in bovine granulosa cells during follicle divergence and dominance

Disorders of ovarian function are major causes of infertility, subfertility and cancer in mammals. For this reason, our research interest is the study of ovarian physiology and dysfunction; particularly the regulation of ovarian follicle development and ovulation in cattle. Recently, we generated considerable insight into the regulation of a completely novel signaling pathway during ovarian follicle growth in bovine, but we still need to better elucidate the physiological roles and the mechanism of action of Hippo effectors in bovine ovarian granulosa cells during follicle development. For this, we are going to employ distinct bovine in vivo and in vitro models. These findings may lead to applications for the manipulation of Hippo signaling in vivo, such as the pharmacological targeting of specific signaling pathway effectors, that may result in industry funding to better use the ovarian follicle reserve in high genetic merit animals superovulated for in vitro embryo production. This is a major economic activity in the Canadian and world dairy industry.

Faculty Supervisor:

Gustavo Zamberlam

Student:

Partner:

Universidade Federal de Santa Maria

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Education

University:

Université de Montréal

Program: