Growth and Differentiation Factor-9 Stimulates Progression of Early Primary but Not Primordial Rat Ovarian Follicle Development

摘要: The ovary contains a pool of primordial follicles containing oocytes arrested in meiosis that are the source developing for female. Growth and differentiation factor-9 (GDF-9) is member transforming growth factor beta superfamily factors, GDF-9 knockout mice arrest primary stage development. effect treatment on to follicle transition subsequent progression was examined using rat organ culture system. Ovaries from 4-day-old rats were cultured under serum-free conditions absence or presence factors. caused decrease proportion 1 early concomitant increase 2 mature follicles. did not 0 transition. also influence 3 4 secondary numbers. Isolated antral granulosa theca cell cultures used analyze actions GDF-9. directly either proliferation. ability expression another examined. increased kit ligand (KL) mRNA bovine cells after days culture. with without treatment, total KL by In summary, found promote development but specific stages may part be mediated through altering KL.