Effects of basic fibroblast growth factor on in vitro development of human ovarian primordial follicles.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) benefits the in vitro development of human primordial follicles.


METHODS
Human ovarian tissue was placed in organ culture for 4 weeks with basic FGF and either fetal calf serum or a serum-free combination. Control groups were cultured with a neutralizing antibody against basic FGF.


METHODS
Major tertiary care and referral academic centers.


METHODS
Fourteen women/girls undergoing various gynecological operations and two fetuses from women undergoing pregnancy terminations.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Follicular counts, immunohistochemistry for proliferating cell nuclear antigen and bromodeoxyuridine incorporation and measurement of 17beta E(2) production.


RESULTS
Only in the serum-free culture system was the number of developing follicles in samples cultured with basic FGF significantly higher than in uncultured specimens. The E(2) production increased significantly in the second week, and there was a significant reduction in E(2) secretion with the addition of the neutralizing antibody against basic FGF. The percentage of granulosa cells (GCs) that stained for proliferating cell nuclear antigen or bromodeoxyuridine was significantly higher in developing follicles than in primordial follicles, regardless of treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Basic FGF apparently plays a role in the E(2) production of early follicles. High doses of basic FGF enhanced follicular development in serum-free media.
Garor
Roni
R
Infertility and IVF Unit, Rabin Medical Center, Petach Tikva, Israel.
Abir
Ronit
R
Erman
Arye
A
Felz
Carmela
C
Nitke
Shmuel
S
Fisch
Benjamin
B
D000028:Abortion, Induced; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D015925:Cryopreservation; D016895:Culture Media, Serum-Free; D004958:Estradiol / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D010053:Ovary / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D055815:Young Adult
D016895:Culture Media, Serum-Free; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D004958:Estradiol