The rOGED provides immediate analysis of spatio-temporal gene expression profiles for over 28,000 genes in the rat ovarian tissue during follicular growth and the preovulatory period. The database was constructed from total RNA isolated from intact ovaries, granulosa cells, or residual ovarian tissues collected from immature pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG)/human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-treated rats at 0 h (no PMSG), 12 h, and 48 h post PMSG, as well as 6 and 12 h post hCG. The RNA was used for DNA microarray analysis using Affymetrix Rat Expression Arrays 230A and 230B (Affymetrix, Santa Clara, CA). The microarray data were compiled and used for display of individual gene expression profiles through specially developed software. The accuracy of the rOGED was validated by the high level of similarity of rOGED gene expression profiles with the reported mRNA expression profiles of more than 20 well known genes. The utility of the rOGED was demonstrated by identifying new genes that have not been described in the rat periovulatory ovary. The rOGED can be used as an instant reference for ovarian gene expression profiles, as well as a reliable resource for identifying important yet, to date, unknown ovarian genes.
microarray data and other gene expression