The ability of different isoforms of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) to induce the resumption of meiosis in cultured mouse oocytes was evaluated. Oocytes were cultured in the presence of hypoxanthine to prevent spontaneous resumption of meiosis. Using serial dilutions of the isoform fractions representing less acidic isoforms (pI 6. 43-5.69), mid-acidic (pI 5.62-4.96) and acidic (pI 4.69-3.7...

The asynchronous secretion of gonadotrope LH and FSH under the control of GnRH is crucial for ovarian cyclicity but the underlying mechanism is not fully resolved. Because prostaglandins (PG) are autocrine regulators in many tissues, we determined whether they have this role in gonadotropes. We first demonstrated that GnRH stimulates PG synthesis by induction of cyclooxygenase-2, via the protei...

The development of testicular germ cell tumour (TGCT) is believed to be under endocrine control but definitive proofs are lacking. Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels are increased in numerous conditions associated with increased risk of TGCT and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the FSH receptor (FSHR) gene influence the sensitivity of the receptor to FSH. However, a possible eff...

Increased fat mass and fat redistribution are commonly observed in aging populations worldwide. Although decreased circulating levels of sex hormones, androgens and oestrogens have been observed, the exact mechanism of fat accumulation and redistribution during aging remains obscure. In this study, the receptor of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), a gonadotropin that increases sharply and per...

BACKGROUND In vitro continuous stimulation of Sertoli cells with FSH leads to a desensitization of these cells to FSH action. To evaluate the presence of a desensitization of FSH receptor on Sertoli cells in vivo, we performed a controlled clinical study in 97 men affected by severe oligozoospermia. METHODS On the basis of FSH and inhibin B plasma concentrations, these subjects were divided i...

The detection of galectin-1 (gal-1) in pig granulosa cell lysates by immunoblotting and its cytosolic as well as membrane-associated localization prompted us to study its effects on cell proliferation and regulation of progesterone synthesis. The lectin stimulated the proliferation of granulosa cells from pig ovaries cultured in serum-free medium. Gal-1 inhibited the FSH-stimulated progesterone...

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of progesterone in the meiotic resumption of porcine oocytes. Progesterone production and progesterone receptor (PR) immunoreactivity in cumulus cells were not detected in porcine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) when observations were made either just after collection from the follicles or after 28 h cultivation without LH and FSH. However, the a...

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) comprise a large group of polypeptides in the transforming growth factor beta superfamily with essential physiological functions in morphogenesis and organogenesis in both vertebrates and invertebrates. At present, the role of BMPs in the reproductive system of any species is poorly understood. Here, we have established the existence of a functional BMP system...

The interaction of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) with its cognate G-protein coupled receptor, the follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) is crucial for folliculogenesis in females and spermatogenesis in males. This necessitates the delineation of the hormone-receptor interaction in greater detail at the molecular level. Several strategies have been employed over last two decades to d...