title: Stage-dependent role of growth differentiation factor-9 in ovarian follicle development.
abstract: GDF-9 was shown to be essential for follicle progression and is the only factor secreted by the oocyte shown to increase the number of primordial and primary follicles in vivo. Furthermore, GDF-9 is a major growth factor involved in the oocyte control of granulosa cell differentiation. A concentration gradient of the paracrine factor GDF-9 established by the oocyte could provide the basis to explain the stratification of granulosa cells in antral and preovulatory follicles. The stimulatory effects of GDF-9 on early follicle development provide a basis for the use of GDF-9 in the treatment of infertility.
authors.affiliation: Division of Reproductive Biology, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Room A344, Stanford, CA 94305-5317, USA.
authors.forename: U A
authors.initials: UA
authors.lastname: Vitt
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Hsueh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D055430:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D005299:Fertility Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000166:cytology; D055429:Growth Differentiation Factor 9; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008954:Models, Biological; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C525901:BMP15 protein, human; D055430:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15; D005299:Fertility Agents; C525897:GDF9 protein, human; D055429:Growth Differentiation Factor 9; D006133:Growth Substances; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta