Fibroblast growth factor 10 in human ovaries

Very early ovarian follicles (cellular structures that contain immature eggs) are the lifetime fertility reserve in females. Researchers are seeking further understanding of the growth signals that initiate their formation in order to develop a medically safe method for restoring fertility in cancer survivors. There is some evidence that fibroblast growth factor 10 (FGF-10) might serve as one of the triggers of ovarian follicular growth. The aim of the study was to investigate the expression of FGF-10 at both the protein and gene levels in ovaries from fetuses, girls and women. The tissue was obtained during ovarian operations or legal pregnancy termination, mainly because of fetal abnormalities, and donated by women and parents of minors. Our results revealed the presence of the FGF-10 protein in very immature follicles, both in the egg and its surrounding supporting cells. Expression was stronger and more abundant in the samples from girls and women. FGF-10 gene expression was identified in all ovaries. Our findings suggest that FGF-10 probably contributes to the interplay among various growth factors involved in the initial follicular development stages in humans.