2. Academic Validation
  3. Pharmacological activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling is essential for oocyte developmental competence and enhances in vitro embryo production in water buffalo

Pharmacological activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling is essential for oocyte developmental competence and enhances in vitro embryo production in water buffalo

  • Anim Reprod Sci. 2025 Dec 4:285:108070. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2025.108070.
Xiaoya Ma 1,  Haiying Zheng 1,  Anqin Duan 1,  Yingxue Xie 1,  Jinchen Zhou 1,  Jianghua Shang 2,  Chunyan Yang 3
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Guangxi Key Laboratory of Buffalo Genetics, Reproduction and Breeding, Guangxi Buffalo Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning 530001, China; Key Laboratory of Buffalo Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanning 530001, China.
  • 2 Guangxi Key Laboratory of Buffalo Genetics, Reproduction and Breeding, Guangxi Buffalo Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning 530001, China; Key Laboratory of Buffalo Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanning 530001, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • 3 Guangxi Key Laboratory of Buffalo Genetics, Reproduction and Breeding, Guangxi Buffalo Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanning 530001, China; Key Laboratory of Buffalo Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Nanning 530001, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
PMID: 41365046 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2025.108070
Abstract

The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is integral to follicular development, yet its precise role in buffalo folliculogenesis remains poorly defined. This study aimed to elucidate its involvement in follicular selection and underlying regulatory mechanisms. Buffalo follicles were classified as dominant or atretic based on the follicular fluid estradiol-to-progesterone (E2: P4) ratio. Quantitative PCR revealed significantly elevated expression of Wnt/β-catenin pathway components in the granulosa cells of dominant follicles. Functional experiments demonstrated that pharmacological inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling markedly suppressed both FSH-induced estradiol (E2) production and oocyte maturation. Conversely, Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation enhanced oocyte maturation, cleavage, and blastocyst formation rates. Further investigation identified Akt/GSK3β/β-catenin cascade as a key mediator of Wnt's positive regulatory role in FSH-supported steroidogenesis. These findings clarify the pivotal role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in buffalo follicular selection and provide a foundational strategy for enhancing the efficiency of in vitro embryo production (IVP) in buffalo breeding programs.

Keywords

Buffalo folliculogenesis; Follicular selection; Granulosa cells; Steroidogenesis; Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

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