The functions of Patchouliand Elsholtziain the repair of hen follicular granular cells after heat stress

The objective of this experimental study was to examine the effects of the Chinese herbal medicines Patchouliand Elsholtziaon the follicular granulosa cells of hens undergoing heat stress conditions. In the current investigation, hen follicular granulosa cells were isolated from the pre-hierarchical follicles of layer hens and then cultured in-vitro. The cells were randomly divided into the six groups. Following the completion of this study's experiments using different heat stress and medicinal treatments, the cell activities of each group were measured using an MTT method. The levels of the heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) were detected using ELISA. The expressions of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) mRNA; cytochrome P450 family 11, subfamily A, member 1 (CYP11A1) mRNA; proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) mRNA; and the follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) were detected using the real-time quantitative polymerase chain reactions. The concentration levels of estrogen and progesterone in the cell supernatant of each group were measured using ELISA. The results showed that cell activity had significantly decreased following the heat stress treatments at 43℃, 44℃, and 45℃ (P ˂ 0.01), respectively. Meanwhile, cell activities observed in Patchouliand Elsholtziawere found to be much better than those of heat stress group (P ˂ 0.05). In addition, the expression levels of HSP70 in the follicular granulosa cells of Patchouliand Elsholtziagroups were lower than those of heat stress group. Patchouliand Elsholtziacan maintained expressions of the receptor at 43℃. This study determined that the estrogen and progesterone in the supernatant fluid of Patchouliand Elsholtziawere higher than those observed in heat stress. Therefore, the results obtained in this study indicated that the Patchouliand Elsholtziatreatments administered prior the heat stress experiments had successfully protected the follicular granulosa cells from heat damages while maintaining the normal secretory functions of the granulosa cells.