Ovarian hormones (i.e., estrogen and LH) may promote folliculogenesis by regulating the local production of mesenchymal "inducer proteins" that mediate theca cell-granulosa cell interactions. Theca cells produce hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) that can stimulate granulosa cell growth. In order to investigate the physiological role of HGF in the ovarian follicle, the developmental and hormonal re...

The production of plasminogen activator by ovarian granulosa cells has been previously reported to be temporally correlated with ovulation in the rat and to be under hormonal control of gonadotropins. We have examined the type of plasminogen activator produced by granulosa cells and also investigated other ovarian cell types for synthesis of this enzyme. Using antibodies specific for tissue-typ...

Steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1) (NR5A1) is an orphan nuclear receptor that plays a premier role in ovarian organogenesis. Recent studies document mRNA expression of the structurally related factor NR5A2 (FTF, LRH-1, SF-2) in the adult ovary and more specifically in granulosa cells and luteal cells but not theca cells. Conversely, SF-1 was shown to be expressed at higher levels in theca/interstiti...

Background: Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) is a primary infertility disorder characterized by a reduction in the number and/or quality of oocytes, usually accompanied by high follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels and regular menses. DOR aetiology factors are different, such as genetic factors, ageing, autoimmune disorders, adrenal gland impairment factors and iatrogenic causes, e.g. chemo...

Expression of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), a neuropeptide with considerable homology to vasoactive intestinal peptide, has been shown to be stimulated by gonadotropins in the ovary. The present studies further evaluated the cell-type specific expression and gonadotropin regulation of PACAP type I receptor (PACAPR) messenger RNA in immature rat ovaries and in cultu...

Introduction: Among the endocrine diseases, hypothyroidism is the commonest after diabetes.Thyroid hormones (T3,T4) are essential for genital organs function. Apoptosis process in ovarian cells plays a significant role of development in ovarian follicles. The aim of the present study was determine the apoptotic index induced by hypothyroidism in rat ovarian follicles. Materials and Method...

The general objective of this in vitro study was to examine the secretory activity of ovarian granulosa cells of hens after lead (Pb) and molybdenum (Mo) administrations. In this study the effect of various doses of Pb and Mo on the insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and progesterone (P ) release by ovarian granulosa 4 cells was demonstrated. Ovarian granulosa cells were incubated with lead a...

Background: To study the morphological development and histomorphometry of foetal and adult ovaries in Kano brown goats. Materials and Methods: Fifty-one foetal and fourteen adult ovaries obtained from slaughtered Kano brown does in Nsukka abattoir were used for this study. The ages of the adult does were determined by dentition and foetuses by crown rump length method. The foetal and adult ova...

background: the omega-3 (ω-3) fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid (epa) is currently used in the clinic as a nutritional supplement to improve infertility, particularly in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (pcos).objective: the present study was designed to investigate the effect of epa on insulin-like growth factor 1 (igf-1) and cyclooxygenase 2 (cox-2) gene expression in primary cultured gr...