Differentially expressed genes in Esr2 null granulosa cells at different stages of gonadotropin stimulation

Ovarian folliculogenesis was induced in four-week-old wild-type and Esr2 null female rats by administration of exogenous gonadotropins, PMSG, and hCG. Granulosa cells were isolated from the ovaries before the gonadotropin injection, 48h after PMSG administration, and 4h after hCG injection to PMSG treated rats. Whole transcriptome of granulosa cells was assessed by RNA-sequencing on an Illumina HiSeq X platform and RNA-seq data were analyzed by using CLC Genomics Workbench. Differentially expressed genes in granulosa cells in wildtype and Esr2 null female rats at different stages of gonadotropin stimulation was analyzed to know the gonadotropin stimulated genes regulated by ESR2.