Overexpression of the OCX-32 gene regulates Ca2+ and lipid concentration in chicken uterine epithelial cells.

This study aimed to explore the effects of the Ovocalyxin-32 (OCX-32) gene overexpression on the calcium ions (Ca2+) concentration and lipid metabolism indicators in chicken uterine epithelial cells. Uterine epithelial cells from Changshun Green-shelled hens were isolated and cultured using type IV collagenase. The pcDNA3.1(+)-OCX-32 + Flag expression vector was constructed and transfected into the cells. The Ca2+ concentration and lipid indicators such as total cholesterol (TCHO), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and triglycerides (TG) were measured using colorimetric methods. Group comparison results showed that Ca2+ concentration was significantly lower (P < 0.05), and TCHO was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the OCX-32 overexpression group compared to the control group, while TG and other indicators did not show significant differences. In addition, correlation analysis across individual samples revealed that OCX-32 overexpression was significantly negatively correlated with Ca2+ concentration (r = -0.82, P < 0.05), significantly positively correlated with TG concentration (r = 0.83, P < 0.05), and extremely significantly negatively correlated with TCHO concentration (r = -0.94, P < 0.01). Additionally, a highly significant negative correlation was found between TCHO and TG concentrations (r = -0.96, P < 0.01). These results suggested that the overexpression of OCX-32 may regulate calcium homeostasis and lipid metabolism in chicken uterine epithelial cells by affecting Ca2+ transport and lipid synthesis pathways, providing experimental evidence for further elucidating the mechanisms of OCX-32 in calcium and lipid regulation during eggshell formation.