Keratinocyte growth factor promotes the survival, growth, and differentiation of preantral ovarian follicles.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of treatment with keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) on the survival of cells in cultured preantral follicles and on the growth and differentiation of preantral follicles.


METHODS
Preantral follicles (140-150 microm) were dissected mechanically from the ovaries of 14-day-old rats and cultured for 24 hours with and without KGF. Genomic DNA was extracted, labeled with [32P]-dideoxyadenosine triphosphate, and fractionated through agarose gels. For growth studies, the follicles were cultured individually in 96-well dishes. After 72 hours, the follicles were collected and their protein or DNA content was evaluated and their inhibin-alpha content was determined.


RESULTS
Keratinocyte growth factor suppressed apoptosis in cultured preantral follicles by 60%. Treatment with KGF or FSH increased follicle diameter by 8% and 16%, respectively, and combined treatment with KGF and FSH increased follicle diameter by 26%. Western blot analysis demonstrated increased expression of inhibin-alpha content after treatment with KGF (2-fold), treatment with FSH (4-fold), and combined treatment with FSH and KGF (12-fold), demonstrating the effect of KGF on preantral follicle differentiation.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with KGF promotes the survival, growth, and differentiation of cultured preantral follicles. Keratinocyte growth factor produced by theca cells may play a role in the progression of early follicle development.
McGee
E A
EA
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, California, USA.
Chun
S Y
SY
Lai
S
S
He
Y
Y
Hsueh
A J
AJ
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002455:Cell Division; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D005260:Female; D051526:Fibroblast Growth Factor 10; D051523:Fibroblast Growth Factor 7; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007265:Inhibins / Q000032:analysis; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
C496463:FGF10 protein, human; C496453:FGF7 protein, human; C496465:Fgf10 protein, rat; C496455:Fgf7 protein, rat; D051526:Fibroblast Growth Factor 10; D006133:Growth Substances; D051523:Fibroblast Growth Factor 7; D007265:Inhibins; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D004247:DNA