[Expression of telomerase in human ovarian luteinized granulosa cells and its relationship to ovarian function].
OBJECTIVE
To detect the expression of telomerase catalytic subunit (TERT), telomerase in human ovarian luteinized granulosa cells and to investigate the relationship between telomerase expression and the ovarian fecundity.


METHODS
Ovarian luteinized granulosa cells were recovered from 22 women with regular menses who underwent in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection programme. We carried out in situ hybridization histochemistry on luteinized granulosa cells to detect TERT mRNA expression, and telomeric repeat amplification protocol to detect telomerase activity.


RESULTS
TERT mRNA were present in luteinized granulosa cells. The expression of TERT mRNA and telomerase activity in ovarian luteinized granulosa cells decreased with increase of age, basal serum follicle stimulating hormone levels.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that telomerase may play an active role in ovarian function.A reduced telomerase activity of granulosa cells may be one of the important mechanisms involved in decreased ovarian function in women.
Liu
Wen
W
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital Affiliated Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China.
Zhu
Gui-jin
GJ
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D010053:Ovary / Q000502:physiology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D019098:Telomerase / Q000235:genetics*
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; C509186:TERT protein, human; D019098:Telomerase