Growth factors of endocrine and/or paracrine origin play determinant roles in antral follicular development. They modulate survival, proliferation and differentiation of follicular cells, acting in interaction with gonadotropins. It is thought that factors belonging to the families of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I and -II), epidennal growth factor (EGF and TGF-a) and fibroblast growth f...

BACKGROUND In this study, we investigated the effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on the morphology of estradiol valerate (EV) induced polycystic ovary (PCO) to find a new treatment modality for improvement of PCO. METHODS The rats were divided into four groups. Group1, control; group 2, PCO group; group 3, PCO with HBOT group and group 4, normal ovary with HBOT. PCO was induced by a s...

Follicular atresia is a process of spontaneous degradation of follicles, hindering growth and development in the mammalian ovary. Previous studies showed that follicular atresia was caused by apoptosis of granulosa cells, for which a number of apoptosis-related genes have already been identified. The roles of p53 in apoptosis of mouse granulosa cells and its post-translational modification are ...

Ovarian follicular development is dependent on the actions and interactions of the pituitary gonadotropins, FSH and LH, and the ovarian steroid hormone, estradiol. Agents which might block the effects of these hormones would increase follicular atresia and reduce fertility. In addition, any substance toxic to the oocyte and its normal pattern of growth and meiosis would lead to reduced numbers ...

This paper summarizes research dealing with the induction of spontaneous superovulation in the cyclic hamster by single injections of PMSG. Four principal approaches have been used : 1) ovulation rate as an endpoint ; 2) number and size of follicles, and staging of follicular development in serially sectioned ovaries ; 3) determining the effects of an antiserum to PMSG ; 4) measuring steroid an...

A review is given about follicular populations and aspects of follicular development in cattle. Ovaries of cattle contain two different pools of follicles, the non-growing pool and the growing pool. Entry of primordial follicles into the growth phase occurs throughout the reproductive life. Once follicles are recruited to grow, they are destined to undergo atresia or ovulation. Growth of obliga...

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha can induce both cell death and proliferation by binding to either TNF receptor (TNFR) 1 or 2. In the granulosa cells of porcine ovaries, TNFalpha is considered to act as an anti-apoptotic/survival factor during follicular atresia. As a first step toward elucidating the function of TNFR2 in regulating follicular development/growth and atresia in porcine ovaries,...