TSH and the gonadotropins (FSH, LH, and hCG) are a family of heterodimeric proteins that share a common alpha-subunit and differ in their hormone-specific beta-subunit. The asparagine-linked (N-linked) oligosaccharides on these hormones are important in signal transduction. The N-linked oligosaccharides on the alpha-subunit have no effect on hCG and hFSH receptor binding, but are critical for t...

CONTEXT Previous studies showed that nerve growth factor (NGF) induces the expression of functional FSH receptors (FSHR) in preantral follicles of the developing rat ovary. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to determine whether NGF can affect granulosa cell (GC) function in human periovulatory follicles using intact human ovaries and isolated human GCs. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS Hu...