Determination of the Expression of Bone Morphogen Protein 15 and its Receptors in Laying Hens’ Ovary

The objective of the current research was to determine expression, function and regulation of bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) during follicular development in laying hens. A trial was conducted with 40 layers from Lohman Klassik Brown breed (40 weeks old). At the end of the study fifteen layers were humanely killed and their ovaries were then dissected. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) expression of BMP15 was analyzed in the ooplasm and in granulosa cells. It was significantly higher in the ooplasm (p<0.01). BPM15 expression was not found in the granulosa cells from 6-8 mm and >9 mm follicles. The expression for bone morphogenetic protein 15 receptors (BMPR1B and BMPR2) in the granulosa cells was in significant positive correlation with the follicle size (p<0.05). The results obtained in this study demonstrate the possible role of BMP15 in developing oocytes. BMP15 expression is important for the growth regulation and signaling in the follicular cells in the preovulatory phase.