da Silveira, Juliano Coelho, authorBouma, Gerrit, advisorCarnevale, Elaine, advisorWinger, Quinton, committee memberVeeramacheneni, DN Rao, committee memberTjalkens, Ronald, committee member2007-01-032014-09-302013http://hdl.handle.net/10217/80192Ovarian follicular development is a process responsible for generating a gamete and steroid hormones, which are important for reproduction and general health. Failure of intrafollicular cell communication is one of the causes behind infertility. Recently, cell-secreted vesicles (microvesicles and exosomes) were described as mediators of cell communication through the transfer of bioactive material such as protein, mRNA and miRNA. Cell-secreted vesicles are present in different body fluids. The overall hypothesis is that cell-secreted vesicles are present in ovarian follicular fluid and are involved in regulating TGF-β signaling members during follicular development. In order to test this hypothesis we utilized the mare as an animal model due to the well described follicular dynamics and the easy access to sufficient experimental material. Firstly, we described the presence of microvesicles and exosomes in ovarian follicular fluid from pre-ovulatory follicles. Further we demonstrated the presence of cell-secreted vesicles markers such as miRNA and proteins. We also demonstrated that microvesicles are taken up by granulosa cell in vitro and in vivo. Secondly, we demonstrated the role of exosomes mediating regulation of TGF-β signaling members during follicular development at mid-estrous and pre-ovulatory stages. Thirdly, we demonstrated association between relative levels of TGF-β signaling members and exosomal miRNAs during follicular development in young and old mares. The data indicates that cell-secreted vesicles play an important role mediating cell proliferation and differentiation through the regulation of TGF-β signaling members during follicular development.born digitaldoctoral dissertationsengCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.exosomesovarian follicle developmentmiRNAsmicrovesiclesequineText