Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and its receptors in human ovaries from fetuses, girls, and women.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and its receptors, GDNF alpha 1 (GFR-alpha1) and tyrosine kinase receptor for rearranged during transfection (RET), in human ovaries at the protein and mRNA levels.


METHODS
Samples were prepared for immunohistochemical staining for GDNF, GFR-alpha1, and RET and in situ hybridization for the mRNA of GFR-alpha1. The mRNA expression of two GDNF isoforms and two RET isoforms was investigated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.


METHODS
Infertility unit at a university-affiliated tertiary medical center.


METHODS
Fifteen patients who underwent pregnancy terminations at 21-35 gestational weeks and 28 girls/women aged 5-39 years who underwent ovarian laparoscopies.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Laboratory analysis of human ovarian specimens.


RESULTS
The GDNF protein was detected in oocytes of all samples. Granulosa cells (GCs) stained for GDNF in a portion of fetal samples and in all samples from girls/women. The proteins for GFR-alpha1 and RET were detected in both oocytes and GCs with weak staining for the long RET isoform. GFR-alpha1 mRNA transcripts were detected in oocytes and GCs from all samples. The mRNA transcripts for the two GDNF isoforms and the two RET isoforms were detected in all fetal and adult specimens.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of the receptors of GDNF in the GCs of human primordial follicles suggests that GDNF may be involved in the regulation of primordial follicular activation.
Farhi
Jacob
J
Infertility and IVF Unit, Helen Schneider Hospital for Women, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Hospital, Petach Tikva, Israel.
Ao
Asangla
A
Fisch
Benjamin
B
Zhang
Xiao Yun
XY
Garor
Roni
R
Abir
Ronit
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000378:metabolism*; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D051097:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000502:physiology; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D051096:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism
C494987:GFRA1 protein, human; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D051097:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Receptors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051096:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret