Detection of estrogen receptor messenger ribonucleic acid in human oocytes and cumulus-oocyte complexes using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the expression of estrogen receptor (ER) messenger ribonucleic acid in the human ovary. To detect ER gene transcripts in human oocytes; and to study the possible autocrine effect of estrogen (E) in granulosa/cumulus cells.


METHODS
Human ovaries from benign gynecological surgeries as well as the oocytes, cumulus-oocyte complexes, and granulosa/cumulus cells from the in vitro fertilization program were used to detect ER gene transcripts using the highly sensitive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction technique.


METHODS
Molecular biology laboratory.


RESULTS
The ER gene is expressed in human ovary. Estrogen receptor transcripts were detected in human cumulus-oocyte complexes and oocytes but not in granulosa/cumulus cells.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest a lack of receptor-mediated autocrine effect of E during folliculogenesis and that E, secreted by granulosa/cumulus cells, may exert a paracrine effect to influence oocyte maturation and fertilization competence directly.
Wu
T C
TC
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UCLA School of Medicine 90024.
Wang
L
L
Wan
Y J
YJ
D000328:Adult; D001483:Base Sequence; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes / Q000235:genetics; D009865:Oocytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000737:chemistry*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000235:genetics*
D015345:Oligonucleotide Probes; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase