Reproduction   citetrack
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS  

Reproduction (2006) 132 191-206
DOI: 10.1530/rep.1.01074
Copyright © 2006 Society for Reproduction and Fertility
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Knight, P. G
Right arrow Articles by Glister, C.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Knight, P. G
Right arrow Articles by Glister, C.

REVIEW

TGF-ß superfamily members and ovarian follicle development

Phil G Knight and Claire Glister

School of Biological Sciences, The University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6AJ, UK

Correspondence should be addressed to P G Knight; Email: p.g.knight{at}reading.ac.uk

In recent years, exciting progress has been made towards unravelling the complex intraovarian control mechanisms that, in concert with systemic signals, coordinate the recruitment, selection and growth of follicles from the primordial stage through to ovulation and corpus luteum formation. A plethora of growth factors, many belonging to the transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß ) superfamily, are expressed by ovarian somatic cells and oocytes in a developmental, stage-related manner and function as intraovarian regulators of folliculogenesis. Two such factors, bone morphogenetic proteins, BMP-4 and BMP-7, are expressed by ovarian stromal cells and/or theca cells and have recently been implicated as positive regulators of the primordial-to-primary follicle transition. In contrast, evidence indicates a negative role for anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH, also known as Mullerian-inhibiting substance) of pre-granulosa/granulosa cell origin in this key event and subsequent progression to the antral stage. Two other TGF-ß superfamily members, growth and differentiation factor-9 (GDF-9) and BMP-15 (also known as GDF-9B) are expressed in an oocyte-specific manner from a very early stage and play key roles in promoting follicle growth beyond the primary stage; mice with null mutations in the gdf-9 gene or ewes with inactivating mutations in gdf-9 or bmp-15 genes are infertile with follicle development arrested at the primary stage. Studies on later stages of follicle development indicate positive roles for granulosa cell-derived activin, BMP-2, -5 and -6, theca cell-derived BMP-2, -4 and -7 and oocyte-derived BMP-6 in promoting granulosa cell proliferation, follicle survival and prevention of premature luteinization and/or atresia. Concomitantly, activin, TGF-ß and several BMPs may exert paracrine actions on theca cells to attenuate LH-dependent androgen production in small to medium-size antral follicles. Dominant follicle selection in monovular species may depend on differential FSH sensitivity amongst a growing cohort of small antral follicles. Changes in intrafollicular activins, GDF-9, AMH and several BMPs may contribute to this selection process by modulating both FSH- and IGF-dependent signalling pathways in granulosa cells. Activin may also play a positive role in oocyte maturation and acquisition of developmental competence. In addition to its endocrine role to suppress FSH secretion, increased output of inhibin by the selected dominant follicle(s) may upregulate LH-induced androgen secretion that is required to sustain a high level of oestradiol secretion during the pre-ovulatory phase. Advances in our understanding of intraovarian regulatory mechanisms should facilitate the development of new approaches for monitoring and manipulating ovarian function and improving fertility in domesticated livestock, endangered species and man.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
Biol. Reprod.Home page
D. Monniaux, N. d. Clemente, J.-L. Touze, C. Belville, C. Rico, M. Bontoux, J.-Y. Picard, and S. Fabre
Intrafollicular Steroids and Anti-Mullerian Hormone During Normal and Cystic Ovarian Follicular Development in the Cow
Biol Reprod, August 1, 2008; 79(2): 387 - 396.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
ReproductionHome page
M. M Seneda, M. Godmann, B. D Murphy, S. Kimmins, and V. Bordignon
Developmental regulation of histone H3 methylation at lysine 4 in the porcine ovary
Reproduction, June 1, 2008; 135(6): 829 - 838.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.Home page
C. Yding Andersen, M. Rosendahl, and A. G. Byskov
Concentration of Anti-Mullerian Hormone and Inhibin-B in Relation to Steroids and Age in Follicular Fluid from Small Antral Human Follicles
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., June 1, 2008; 93(6): 2344 - 2349.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Hum ReprodHome page
C. Gnoth, A.N. Schuring, K. Friol, J. Tigges, P. Mallmann, and E. Godehardt
Relevance of anti-Mullerian hormone measurement in a routine IVF program
Hum. Reprod., June 1, 2008; 23(6): 1359 - 1365.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Mol Hum ReprodHome page
P. A. Fowler, N. J. Dora, H. McFerran, M. R. Amezaga, D. W. Miller, R. G. Lea, P. Cash, A. S. McNeilly, N. P. Evans, C. Cotinot, et al.
In utero exposure to low doses of environmental pollutants disrupts fetal ovarian development in sheep
Mol. Hum. Reprod., May 1, 2008; 14(5): 269 - 280.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
ReproductionHome page
E. W Kabithe and N. J Place
Photoperiod-dependent modulation of anti-Mullerian hormone in female Siberian hamsters, Phodopus sungorus
Reproduction, March 1, 2008; 135(3): 335 - 342.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Hum Reprod UpdateHome page
W. V. Ingman and R. L. Jones
Cytokine knockouts in reproduction: the use of gene ablation to dissect roles of cytokines in reproductive biology
Hum. Reprod. Update, March 1, 2008; 14(2): 179 - 192.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Biol. Reprod.Home page
F. J Diaz, K. Sugiura, and J. J Eppig
Regulation of Pcsk6 Expression During the Preantral to Antral Follicle Transition in Mice: Opposing Roles of FSH and Oocytes
Biol Reprod, January 1, 2008; 78(1): 176 - 183.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Biol. Chem.Home page
J. L. Kipp, S. M. Kilen, T. K. Woodruff, and K. E. Mayo
Activin Regulates Estrogen Receptor Gene Expression in the Mouse Ovary
J. Biol. Chem., December 14, 2007; 282(50): 36755 - 36765.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EndocrinologyHome page
E. S. Clelland, Q. Tan, A. Balofsky, R. Lacivita, and C. Peng
Inhibition of Premature Oocyte Maturation: A Role for Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15 in Zebrafish Ovarian Follicles
Endocrinology, November 1, 2007; 148(11): 5451 - 5458.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Biol. Reprod.Home page
J Buratini Jr., M.G.L Pinto, A.C Castilho, R.L Amorim, I.C Giometti, V.M Portela, E.S Nicola, and C.A Price
Expression and Function of Fibroblast Growth Factor 10 and Its Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 2B, in Bovine Follicles
Biol Reprod, October 1, 2007; 77(4): 743 - 750.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
The OncologistHome page
Z. Blumenfeld
How to Preserve Fertility in Young Women Exposed to Chemotherapy? The Role of GnRH Agonist Cotreatment in Addition to Cryopreservation of Embrya, Oocytes, or Ovaries
Oncologist, September 1, 2007; 12(9): 1044 - 1054.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
ReproductionHome page
S. L Al-Musawi, R. T Gladwell, and P. G Knight
Bone morphogenetic protein-6 enhances gonadotrophin-dependent progesterone and inhibin secretion and expression of mRNA transcripts encoding gonadotrophin receptors and inhibin/activin subunits in chicken granulosa cells
Reproduction, August 1, 2007; 134(2): 293 - 306.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EndocrinologyHome page
M. Myers, E. Gay, A. S. McNeilly, H. M. Fraser, and W. C. Duncan
In Vitro Evidence Suggests Activin-A May Promote Tissue Remodeling Associated with Human Luteolysis
Endocrinology, August 1, 2007; 148(8): 3730 - 3739.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Biol. Chem.Home page
T. F. Lerch, S. Shimasaki, T. K. Woodruff, and T. S. Jardetzky
Structural and Biophysical Coupling of Heparin and Activin Binding to Follistatin Isoform Functions
J. Biol. Chem., May 25, 2007; 282(21): 15930 - 15939.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
EndocrinologyHome page
J. L. Kipp, S. M. Kilen, S. Bristol-Gould, T. K. Woodruff, and K. E. Mayo
Neonatal Exposure to Estrogens Suppresses Activin Expression and Signaling in the Mouse Ovary
Endocrinology, May 1, 2007; 148(5): 1968 - 1976.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Cell Sci.Home page
F. J. Diaz, K. Wigglesworth, and J. J. Eppig
Oocytes determine cumulus cell lineage in mouse ovarian follicles
J. Cell Sci., April 15, 2007; 120(8): 1330 - 1340.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J ANIM SCIHome page
M. C. Lucy
The bovine dominant ovarian follicle
J Anim Sci, March 1, 2007; 85(13_suppl): E89 - E99.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
ReproductionHome page
A. Drummond and J. Findlay
Focus on TGF-{beta} signalling.
Reproduction, August 1, 2006; 132(2): 177 - 178.
[Full Text] [PDF]




HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS  
Copyright © 2006 by the Society for Reproduction and Fertility.