Expression of bone morphogenetic proteins 4 and 7 and their receptors IA, IB, and II in human ovaries from fetuses and adults.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the immunocytochemical and mRNA expression of bone morphogenetic proteins 4 (BMP-4) and 7 (BMP-7) and their three receptors (BMPR-IA, BMPR-IB, and BMPR-II) in ovaries from human adults and fetuses.


METHODS
Immunocytochemical and in situ hybridization study.


METHODS
Major tertiary care and referral academic centers.


METHODS
Sixteen adolescents/adults aged 13-38 years and 31 women undergoing second and third trimester pregnancy terminations.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization on paraffin sections of human ovaries from fetuses and adults.


RESULTS
The expression of the proteins for BMP-4 and BMP-7 and their receptors was detected in oogonia/oocytes and stroma cells from both sources (fetuses and women/adolescents). BMP-7 and the three receptors were identified in all of these granulosa cells, and BMP-4 was detected only in the granulosa cells of women/adolescents. Transcripts for all five ligands were identified in stroma cells of all samples and in fetal oogonia/oocytes. BMPR-IA and BMPR-IB mRNA expression was also identified in oocytes from women/adolescents. BMP-7 and BMPR-IA mRNA staining was detected in fetal granulosa cells.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first report of the expression of BMP-4 and BMP-7 and their receptors in human ovaries from fetuses as well as adults. However, to elucidate whether indeed BMP-4 or BMP-7 are involved in the initiation of human primordial follicular growth, they should be added to the culture medium.
Abir
Ronit
R
Infertility and IVF Unit, Helen Schneider Hospital for Women, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tikva, Israel. ronita@clalit.org.il
Ben-Haroush
Avi
A
Melamed
Nir
N
Felz
Carmela
C
Krissi
Haim
H
Fisch
Benjamin
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D055415:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4; D055419:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7; D052005:Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors, Type I / Q000378:metabolism*; D052006:Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors, Type II / Q000378:metabolism*; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D010053:Ovary / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*
C525809:BMP4 protein, human; C525819:BMP7 protein, human; D055415:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4; D055419:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7; D019485:Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D052005:Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors, Type I; D052006:Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors, Type II