NMR for metabolomic profiling of goat ovarian follicular fluid

What is it about?

During folliculogenesis, follicular fluid (FF) supplies many of the nutrients, metabolic compounds, and signaling molecules that are essential for the accumulation of metabolic substrate stores within the oocyte. The use of metabolomics can identify metabolites produced in FF that are related to oocyte quality. Thus, this work aimed to carry out a qualitative metabolomic study using Hydrogen Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (1H NMR) to characterize FF components of goats after hormonal estrus synchronization (HES) and no estrus synchronization (NES). Fluids of small (< 3 mm) and large (≥ 3 mm) follicles were collected and evaluated. 1H NMR analyses permitted to characterize seventeen metabolites, comprising sugars, amino acids, short chain organic acids, fatty acids residues, besides acetylated glycoprotein, choline phosphate and choline glycerophosphate. Qualitative differences were observed between follicles at different stages of development (small vs large). Finally, further quantitative studies will be needed to clarify the FF synthesis in goats and the effects on the quality of oocytes.

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