Endocrinology, Vol 125, 1857-1862, Copyright © 1989 by Endocrine Society

ARTICLES

Effects of transforming growth factors and inhibin-related proteins on rat preovulatory graafian follicles in vitro

A Tsafriri, W Vale and AJ Hsueh
Department of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla 93093.

In view of recent reports on ovarian production and action of transforming growth factors (TGFs) and inhibin-related proteins (inhibin, activin, and follistatin), we have examined the effects of these hormones on the function of preovulatory follicles in vitro. Individual preovulatory follicles were obtained from PMSG-treated rats and incubated with these hormones in the absence or presence of LH. Oocyte maturation and progesterone production were monitored. Treatment with TGF alpha alone, but not with TGF beta or inhibin-related proteins, mimicked the action of LH on oocyte maturation by inducing the resumption of meiosis in follicle-enclosed oocytes (56.6% and 80.6% oocytes resumed meiosis in the presence of 0.5 and 1.0 microgram/ml TGF alpha, respectively). In follicle cultures treated with LH to induce oocyte maturation, cotreatment with inhibin and TGF beta (30-50 ng/ml), but not other related hormones, partially inhibited LH-induced meiosis in follicle-enclosed oocytes (from 82% mature ova in the presence of LH to 51% and 55% mature ova with TGF beta and inhibin, respectively). In contrast to follicle cultures, none of the hormones tested significantly affected the spontaneous maturation of rat oocytes explanted from their follicles and cultured within their cumulus mass for 4 h. Treatment with TGF alpha, but not with TGF beta, inhibin, activin, or follistatin, stimulated progesterone production. The present study demonstrated that TGF alpha, like LH, induces oocyte maturation and progesterone production in preovulatory rat follicles. Furthermore, inhibin and TGF beta suppressed LH-induced resumption of meiosis in follicle-enclosed oocytes. Because these growth factors and inhibin-related proteins are synthesized by follicle cells, they may play important roles in regulating follicular development and activity.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				H. Ashkenazi, X. Cao, S. Motola, M. Popliker, M. Conti, and A. Tsafriri Epidermal Growth Factor Family Members: Endogenous Mediators of the Ovulatory Response Endocrinology, January 1, 2005; 146(1): 77 - 84. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J R V Silva, R van den Hurk, H T A van Tol, B A J Roelen, and J R Figueiredo Gene expression and protein localisation for activin-A, follistatin and activin receptors in goat ovaries J. Endocrinol., November 1, 2004; 183(2): 405 - 415. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				X. Gueripel, M. Benahmed, and A. Gougeon Sequential Gonadotropin Treatment of Immature Mice Leads to Amplification of Transforming Growth Factor {beta} Action, Via Upregulation of Receptor-Type 1, Smad 2 and 4, and Downregulation of Smad 6 Biol Reprod, March 1, 2004; 70(3): 640 - 648. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y. Wang and W. Ge Spatial Expression Patterns of Activin and Its Signaling System in the Zebrafish Ovarian Follicle: Evidence for Paracrine Action of Activin on the Oocytes Biol Reprod, December 1, 2003; 69(6): 1998 - 2006. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Inoue, K. Nakamura, K. Abe, T. Hirakawa, M. Tsuchiya, H. Matsuda, K. Miyamoto, and T. Minegishi Effect of Transforming Growth Factor {beta} on the Expression of Luteinizing Hormone Receptor in Cultured Rat Granulosa Cells Biol Reprod, August 1, 2002; 67(2): 610 - 615. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y. Pang and W. Ge Epidermal Growth Factor and TGF{alpha} Promote Zebrafish Oocyte Maturation in Vitro: Potential Role of the Ovarian Activin Regulatory System Endocrinology, January 1, 2002; 143(1): 47 - 54. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. L. McMullen, B.-N. Cho, C. J. Yates, and K. E. Mayo Gonadal Pathologies in Transgenic Mice Expressing the Rat Inhibin {alpha}-Subunit Endocrinology, November 1, 2001; 142(11): 5005 - 5014. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Wu, H. Patel, S. Mukai, C. Melino, R. Garg, X. Ni, J. Chang, and C. Peng Activin, Inhibin, and Follistatin in Zebrafish Ovary: Expression and Role in Oocyte Maturation Biol Reprod, June 1, 2000; 62(6): 1585 - 1592. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				J. Qu, P. A. Godin, M. Nisolle, and J. Donnez Expression of receptors for insulin-like growth factor-I and transforming growth factor-{beta} in human follicles Mol. Hum. Reprod., February 1, 2000; 6(2): 137 - 145. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]