Levels of heat shock protein transcripts in normal follicles and ovarian follicular cysts

SUMMARYIn the study, the gene expression of several heat shock proteins (HSPs) was determined in normal follicles and cystic follicles from cattle. A lower expression of HSP10 and HSP40 was observed in granulosa and theca cells of cysts compared to normal follicles. HSP27 was significantly less expressed in granulosa cells in cystic and large antral follicles than in other follicular categories. HSP60 and HSP90a expressions were highest in theca cells of cysts. However, HSP70 and HSP90b exhibited a lower expression in cysts than in healthy follicles.