Expression of basic fibroblast growth factor and its receptors in human ovarian follicles from adults and fetuses.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the immunocytochemical expression and presence of mRNA transcripts for basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and its four receptors (FGFR-1, -2, -3, and -4) in ovaries from human adults and fetuses.


METHODS
Immunocytochemical and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) study.


METHODS
Major tertiary care and referral academic centers.


METHODS
Nine women and girls undergoing laparoscopic ovarian biopsy and 26 women undergoing second- and third-trimester pregnancy terminations.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Microscopic morphometric analysis, immunocytochemistry for bFGF and its receptors, and RT-PCR analyses.


RESULTS
The proteins for bFGF, FGFR-2, FGFR-3, and FGFR-4 were identified in oocytes of all follicular classes. Immunocytochemical expression of bFGF and its receptors was detected in granulosa cells of follicles from adolescents/women but not from fetuses. There was no immunocytochemical expression of FGFR-1. Transcripts of bFGF and its four receptors were identified by RT-PCR in all samples.


CONCLUSIONS
The expression of bFGF and its receptors in human ovaries suggests that bFGF might have a role in early folliculogenesis.
Ben-Haroush
Avi
A
Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tikva, Israel. yudavi@inter.net.il
Abir
Ronit
R
Ao
Asangla
A
Jin
Shaoguang
S
Kessler-Icekson
Gania
G
Feldberg
Dov
D
Fisch
Benjamin
B
D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second / Q000502:physiology; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third / Q000502:physiology; D051497:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D051498:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D051499:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 4 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D051497:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 2; D051498:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3; D051499:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 4