Irisin is mainly synthesized by skeletal muscle tissue, where it is believed to be responsible for the benefits of exercise on metabolism and cardiovascular system. In adipose tissue, its best-known effect is the browning of white adipocytes, resulting in the increase of thermogenesis and energy expenditure. As it has been largely documented that metabolic dysfunctions can frequently be associated with reductions in fertility, the possible involvement of this molecule in the regulation of reproductive processes represents an issue to be addressed. On this basis, the first aim of this work was the evaluation of the presence of irisin in the swine ovary; then, we investigated the expression of the associated molecules FNDC5, PGC-1α, and PPAR-γ. To verify a potential modulatory role both on ovarian function and on redox status, cell growth, steroidogenesis, production of superoxide anion and nitric oxide, the nonenzymatic antioxidant scavengers, were assessed in vitro on granulosa cells treated with increasing concentrations of irisin (50, 100, and 150 ng/mL). The data collected demonstrate the presence of irisin in swine ovarian follicle. Moreover, the highest concentrations tested stimulated metabolic activity and inhibited cell proliferation (P < 0.05); the peptide exerted a biphasic effect on progesterone (P < 0.01) production and, at the highest concentrations, inhibited nitric oxide while stimulated the nonenzymatic antioxidant power (P < 0.05). Superoxide anion and estradiol 17β were unaffected. The demonstration of the local presence of irisin at the ovarian level and the highlighted effects allow us to qualify this molecule as a potential physiological regulator of follicular function.

鸢尾素主要由骨骼肌组织合成，据信它是运动对新陈代谢和心血管系统有益的原因。在脂肪组织中，其最著名的作用是使白色脂肪细胞变褐，导致产热和能量消耗增加。由于有大量文献记载，代谢功能障碍经常与生育能力下降有关，因此该分子可能参与生殖过程的调节是一个需要解决的问题。在此基础上，这项工作的首要目标是评估猪卵巢中鸢尾素的存在；然后，我们研究了相关分子 FNDC5、PGC-1α 和 PPAR-γ 的表达。为了验证对卵巢功能和氧化还原状态、细胞生长的潜在调节作用，类固醇生成、超氧阴离子和一氧化氮、非酶促抗氧化剂清除剂的产生，在体外对用增加浓度的鸢尾素（50、100 和 150 ng/mL）处理的颗粒细胞进行了评估。收集到的数据表明猪卵泡中存在鸢尾素。此外，测试的最高浓度刺激代谢活动并抑制细胞增殖（P < 0.05)；该肽对孕酮 ( P < 0.01) 的产生产生双相作用，并且在最高浓度下，抑制一氧化氮，同时刺激非酶促抗氧化能力 ( P < 0.05)。超氧阴离子和雌二醇 17β 不受影响。鸢尾素在卵巢水平局部存在的证明和突出的效果使我们能够将这种分子定性为卵泡功能的潜在生理调节剂。