Relaxin-induced angiogenesis in ovary contributes to follicle development.
CD31-positive blood vessels increased in human ovarian cortical tissues cultured with relaxin than in tissues cultured without relaxin. The number of vWF-positive vessels counted in rat ovaries after relaxin injection (40.5 +/- 4.3) significantly increased compared to that in saline-injected rats (24.3 +/- 3.0). The proportion of primordial follicles was significantly decreased, that of primary follicles was significantly increased at 16 h, and that of early antral follicles was significantly increased at 24 h in rats after relaxin injection. These results suggest that relaxin may contribute to follicle development through the mechanism of angiogenesis in the ovary.
Shirota
Kyoko
K
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fukuoka University School of Medicine, Fukuoka 814-0180, Japan.
Tateishi
Kayoko
K
Emoto
Makoto
M
Hachisuga
Toru
T
Kuroki
Masahide
M
Kawarabayashi
Tatsuhiko
T
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D012065:Relaxin / Q000378:metabolism*
D012065:Relaxin