Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
6172776 European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology 2016 6 Pages PDF
Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate the localization and function of gremlin-2 during human ovarian folliculogenesis.Study designOvarian tissue from a gynecologic cancer patient was cultured in the presence or absence of gremlin-2 and then analyzed histologically. Growing follicles were counted by the microscopic observations of ovarian histological sections. Immunocytochemical staining was carried out to detect the expression of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) 4 and phosphorylated Smad 1/5/8 (p-Smad 1/5/8).ResultsGremlin-2 was detected in human primordial, primary, and early growing follicles before culture. By day 4 of culture, the follicle growth rate in the presence of gremlin-2 (13.7%; 24/175) was significantly lower than that of the control (54.8%; 92/175; p < 0.01). BMP4 expression was similar in the presence and absence of gremlin-2, whereas the p-Smad 1/5/8 signal was noticeably stronger in the absence of gremlin-2 in primordial and early-stage growing follicles.ConclusionsGremlin-2 maintains the follicle store as primordial follicles by suppressing Smad 1/5/8 signaling in the human ovary. The data presented here provide potential insight into reproductive medicine for cases of intractable infertility, such as premature ovarian insufficiency and cancer survivors.

Related Topics
Health Sciences Medicine and Dentistry Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health
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