This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Copyright Permission Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Google Scholar Articles by Orisaka, M. Articles by Tsang, B. K. PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Orisaka, M. Articles by Tsang, B. K.

Growth Differentiation Factor 9 Promotes Rat Preantral Follicle Growth by Up-Regulating Follicular Androgen Biosynthesis

Reproductive Biology Unit and Division of Reproductive Medicine (M.O., J.-Y.J., S.O., B.K.T.), Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1H 8L6; Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Health Research Institute, The Ottawa Hospital (Civic Campus), Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1Y 4E9; and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (M.O., S.O., F.K.), University of Fukui, Matsuoka, Fukui, Japan 910-1193

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Benjamin K. Tsang, Ph.D., Ottawa Health Research Institute, 725 Parkdale Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1Y 4E9. E-mail: btsang{at}ohri.ca.

The transition from preantral to early antral stage is the penultimate stage of ovarian follicular development in terms of gonadotropin dependence and follicle destiny. Although oocyte-somatic cell communication is important in early follicular development, our knowledge of the precise role of the oocyte-derived growth differentiation factor (GDF)-9 during preantral follicle growth is incomplete. We examined whether and by what means oocyte-derived GDF-9 controls follicular development and steroidogenesis during the preantral to early antral transition, by a combination of in vitro gene manipulation (i.e. intraoocyte injection of GDF-9 antisense oligos) and preantral follicle culture. Intraoocyte injection of GDF-9 antisense suppressed rat preantral follicle growth in vitro, whereas GDF-9 enhanced follicular development. GDF-9 augmented testosterone production in preantral follicles. GDF-9 antisense suppressed androgen production and CYP17A1 mRNA expression in cultured follicles, a response attenuated by exogenous GDF-9. The nonaromatizable androgen 5-dihydrotestosterone rescued the follicular growth arrest caused by GDF-9 down-regulation. The specific androgen receptor antagonist flutamide suppressed GDF-9-induced preantral follicle growth in vitro. The data suggest that GDF-9 plays an important role in promoting preantral follicle growth by up-regulating follicular androgen biosynthesis. GDF-9 is essential for CYP17A1 expression during follicular development from the preantral to the early antral stage.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. A. Edson, A. K. Nagaraja, and M. M. Matzuk The Mammalian Ovary from Genesis to Revelation Endocr. Rev., October 1, 2009; 30(6): 624 - 712. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. J. Broekmans, M. R. Soules, and B. C. Fauser Ovarian Aging: Mechanisms and Clinical Consequences Endocr. Rev., August 1, 2009; 30(5): 465 - 493. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]