title: [The expression of transforming growth factor-alpha and epidermal growth factor receptor in human fetal ovary].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the expression of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in cultured and uncultured human fetal ovary.
  
  
  METHODS
  The ovarian tissues were obtained from 20 human female fetuses from 16 to 40 weeks of gestational age and were cultured for 3-9 days. Expression of TGF-alpha and EGFR protein in the fetal ovarian tissues was examined by immunohistochemical technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TGF-alpha and EGFR were expressed in the oocytes of 17 fetal ovaries, in part of follicular cells and stromal cells. There was no correlation between gestational age and TGF-alpha, EGFR expression (P > 0.05). The immunostaining intensity of oocytes in the cultured fetal ovary was weaker than those of the uncultured ones (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TGF-alpha and EGFR may play a role as intraovarian regulators through autocrine and paracrine mechanism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Haidian District Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Beijing 100080, China.
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zheng
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D046508:Culture Techniques; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D010053:Ovary / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor