Bone morphogenetic protein 15 expression in human ovaries from fetuses, girls, and women.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate, for the first time, the protein expression of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) 15 in human ovaries from fetuses, girls/women as well as its mRNA transcripts in ovaries from fetuses and girls.


METHODS
Controlled immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization study of expression of BMP-15 protein and mRNA transcripts in human ovaries.


METHODS
Major tertiary care academic center.


METHODS
Nine patients that underwent pregnancy terminations at 21-33 gestational weeks and 18 girls and women aged 5-39 years that underwent ovarian laparoscopies.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Immunohistochemistry (protein detection) in all specimens and in situ hybridization (mRNA detection) in specimens from fetuses and girls. Both procedures were conducted on paraffin sections.


RESULTS
The expression of the BMP-15 protein and its mRNA was identified already from primordial stages. Protein expression was detected in all oocytes and stroma cells from both ovarian sources, and in granulosa cells of specimens from girls and women. The mRNA transcripts were detected in the oocyte, granulosa, and stroma cells from fetuses and girls.


CONCLUSIONS
The BMP-15 protein is expressed already at primordial stages in fetuses, girls, and women, and its mRNA transcripts in fetuses and girls. Further studies should be conducted to elucidate if indeed BMP-15 is involved in the activation of human primordial follicles.
Margulis
Sima
S
Infertility and In Vitro Fertilization Unit, Helen Schneider Hospital for Women, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Hospital, Petach Tikva, Israel.
Abir
Ronit
R
Felz
Carmela
C
Nitke
Shmuel
S
Krissi
Haim
H
Fisch
Benjamin
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D055430:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D002452:Cell Count; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
C525901:BMP15 protein, human; D055430:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15