Separation of Avian Preovulatory Follicle Granulosa and Theca Cell Layers for Downstream Applications

Summary

Here, we describe a protocol for separating yolk, granulosa cells, and theca cells in avian preovulatory follicles. This precision handling enables critical investigations into the role of these layers in reproductive function, aiding the understanding of follicular development, hormonal regulation, and disease research for enhanced agricultural yield and biomedical insights.

Abstract

Layer hens (egg-laying chickens) and broiler breeders (breeding stock for meat-producing chickens) are crucial to the world's food supply as a reliable source of protein. They are also an emerging animal model for the study of human reproductive disease. As the field of poultry research develops, the health and function of the layer hen and broiler breeder ovary will be an important point of study for both agricultural and biomedical researchers. One of the challenges presented by this emerging interest is the need for replicable techniques that all researchers can employ in ovarian specimen collection. In particular, a detailed visual process must be established to define the proper separation of the specialized granulosa and theca cell layers from hen follicles to achieve agreement and consistency among researchers.

This study describes the extraction of preovulatory follicles and ovary tissue in white leghorn hens of prime reproductive age. The separation of these follicles is performed under cold, liquid conditions to congeal the yolk for easier manipulation and to prevent the follicle's own weight from tearing apart cell layers during the separation process. Once the separation is complete, the desired cell layers can be further digested for tissue culture approaches or can be cryopreserved for genomic and proteomic analyses.

Introduction

Egg-producing chickens are a key component of the world food supply chain and are an evolving animal model for the study of fertility and ovarian cancer. The chicken has a long history of laboratory use, from in ovo studies of influenza vaccines¹ to the study of cancerous tumor growth², and is a key animal for insight into gonadal development^3,4,5. Understanding the role of a hen's reproductive system, in particular, the cyclical nature of ovarian follicular development and the types of cells involved, is an area of....

Protocol

All animals used in this study were maintained and euthanized per the protocol approved by the University of Delaware's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC Protocol 110R).

1. Preparation

1. Sterilization
   1. Autoclave 5 oz glass bowls using gravity displacement autoclaving (121 °C for 20 min) covered with aluminum foil with autoclave tape atop to maintain and indicate sterility.
      NOTE: One bowl will be needed for each follicle th.......

Discussion

This study outlines the procedure for the distinct separation of both granulosa and thecal cell layers from preovulatory follicles in poultry. Unlike the existing method established by Gilbert et al. in 1977, the adaptations made in this method allow for a more controlled environment when manually separating the granulosa cell layer from the theca layer from all preovulatory follicles¹⁵. Furthermore, it enables researchers to visualize the granulosa cell layer throughout the whole procedure, enhan.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
3.5 in. Small Glass Bowls, 5 oz	Amazon	B0BXP5PJTN	Autoclavable glass bowls of at least 3.5 in. diameter
Aluminum Foil	Costco	720	Cover autoclave bowls
Amazon Pet Training Pads, Regular, 100-Count	Amazon	B0B58WTPFS	For use as necrospy pads, any absorbant pad will work
Autoclave Tape	Fisherbrand	15-901-111
Cole-Parmer LED Fiber Optic Illuminators	Cole-Parmer	EW-41723-02
Curved Very Fine Precision Tip Forceps	Fisherbrand	16-100-123	Non-Serrated
Dissecting Microscope	Leica	S6E
Fine Precision Scissors	Fisherbrand	12-000-155	Non-Serrated
Food Container Boxes with Lid Set of 17 Clear/Green Microwave Freezer Dishwasher Safe	Amazon	B09QGZCRDB	Use any container that can hold ice AND an 3.5 in. small glass bowl
High Precision 45 Degree Curved Tapered Very Fine Point Tweezers/Forceps	Fisherbrand	12-000-125	Non-Serrated
High Precision Straight Very Fine Point Tweezers/Forceps	Fisherbrand	16-100-120	Non-Serrated
Isopropanol	Fisherbrand	A426P-4
McKesson Specimen Container, Sterile, Screw Cap, Leak-Resistant, 120 mL	McKesson	16-9526	4 oz. / 120 cc, graduated
Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, 10x), pH 7.6	ThermoFisher	J62692.K7	Will need to be made into 1x PBS
Spray Bottle	Cole-Parmer	EW-06091-01	For 70% Isopropanol
Sterile Surgical Blades #22	Cincinnati Surgical	122
Sterilization Pouches 10" x 16"	Amazon	B07MFB455C
Tapered Ultrafine Tip Forceps Fisherbrand	Fisherbrand	16-100-121	Non-Serrated
Foam Biopsy Pads, Rectangular	Fisherbrand	22-038-221
Formalin Solution, 10% (Histological)	Fisher Chemical	SF98-4
Tissue processing/embedding cassettes with lid	Simport M490-2	Z672122