title: Basic fibroblast growth factor expression in isolated small human ovarian follicles.
abstract: Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, and angiogenesis. It has long been known that bFGF acts as a powerful mitogen for various mammalian granulosa cells in culture. To investigate the possible involvement of bFGF expression in follicle initiation and growth in vivo, we performed nested RT-PCR on ovarian cortical biopsies and quantitative PCR on human follicle populations isolated by laser capture microdissection. Using morphological criteria, follicles were characterized as putative non-growing, primary, or small secondary. RNA was extracted from samples, reverse-transcribed, and relative gene expression levels determined with TaqMan real-time PCR, using 18S rRNA as the endogenous control. Results confirmed bFGF expression in human adult ovarian cortex, and in the isolated follicles a down-regulation of bFGF mRNA was evident as small follicles develop. This study demonstrates a possible relationship between bFGF mRNA expression and follicle development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Otago, P.O.Box 56, Dunedin, 9001, New Zealand.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Quennell
authors.forename: J-A L
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Stanton
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Hurst
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D042282:Microdissection; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D010053:Ovary / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2