Abstract: The possibility of Ghrelin expressed in antral follicles of sheep ovary was investigated in this study， Ghrelin protein was detected in cumulus cells (CCs) and granulosa cells (GCs). Relative real-time reverse-transciptase (RT)-PCR experiments confirmed that the Ghrelin mRNA levels did not show significantly difference. The persistent presence of the Ghrelin signaling system within antral follicles, including oocytes, CCs and GCs, revealed the possibility of a potential regulatory role of this novel molecule during oocyte maturation and embryonic development.

Key words: Ghrelin; sheep antral follicles; real time RT-PCR