title: Prolactin gene expression in human ovarian follicular cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate prolactin gene expression in human ovarian follicular cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  RNA was isolated from follicular cells obtained at the time of transvaginal oocyte retrieval from patients after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. The RNA was subjected to reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using prolactin-specific primers. The RT-PCR products were analyzed by gel electrophoresis, followed by Southern blot analysis using prolactin-specific probes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Department of gynecology and obstetrics research laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation followed by transvaginal oocyte retrieval.
  
  
  METHODS
  Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation followed by transvaginal oocyte retrieval. Expression of prolactin mRNA by follicular cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The presence of prolactin-specific cDNA amplified by RT-PCR from RNA isolated from human follicular cells was confirmed by Southern blot analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Human ovarian follicular cells are an extrapituitary site of prolactin gene expression.
authors.affiliation: Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: John Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Phelps
authors.forename: Elizabeth M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Bugg
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Shamblott
authors.forename: Nikos P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Vlahos
authors.forename: Joe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Whelan
authors.forename: Howard A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Zacur
mesh_terms: D015139:Blotting, Southern; D005260:Female; D015571:Follicular Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D009865:Oocytes; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000378:metabolism*; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011388:Prolactin / Q000235:genetics*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011388:Prolactin