Expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1, TGF-beta2, and TGF-beta3 and of type I and II TGF-beta receptors during the development of the human fetal ovary.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the role of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) in the regulation of human fetal ovarian development.


METHODS
Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and comparative immunohistochemical analysis of the localization and staining intensity of TGF-beta1, TGF-beta2, and TGF-beta3, and of their receptors.


METHODS
Academic research environment.


METHODS
Human fetal ovaries were obtained from terminated normal intact pregnancies at 11-24 weeks' gestation.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Messenger RNA analysis and protein expression of TGF-beta isoforms and their receptors in human fetal ovaries at 11-24 weeks of gestational age.


RESULTS
Messenger RNAs for the three TGF-beta isoforms and the two TGF-beta receptors were demonstrated in all the developmental ages studied: 11, 14, 18, 20, and 22 weeks of gestation. During the first trimester, immunohistochemical analysis for TGF-beta1, TGF-beta2, and TGF-beta receptor type I revealed homogeneous light staining of the ovary. Staining for TGF-beta3 and TGF-beta receptor type II was predominantly in the oocytes. During the second trimester, staining for all three TGF-beta isoforms and both receptors was predominantly in the oocytes. In addition, for receptor types I and II, staining was observed in the pregranulosa cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings support the hypothesis that expression of the TGF-beta system changes from the first to the second trimester of fetal development and may have an autocrine and/or paracrine regulatory role during ovarian development.
Schilling
B
B
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Yeh
J
J
D030201:Activin Receptors, Type I; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D010053:Ovary / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000096:biosynthesis; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000077293:Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type I; D000077294:Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D020033:Protein Isoforms; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D030201:Activin Receptors, Type I; D000077293:Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type I; D000077294:Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II