Neurotrophin 4 enhances in vitro follicular assembly in human fetal ovaries.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the in vitro effect of neurotrophin 4 (NT-4) on follicular assembly in human fetal ovaries.


METHODS
Human ovarian tissue from fetuses at 19-20 gestational weeks was placed in organ culture for two weeks with NT-4. Control groups were cultured with a neutralizing antibody against NT-4.


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


METHODS
Four patients who underwent pregnancy terminations at 19-20 gestational weeks.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Histologic findings of follicular assembly.


RESULTS
Follicular assembly was significantly increased in the specimens cultured with NT-4 than in the uncultured specimens, the samples cultured without NT-4, and samples cultured with the neutralizing antibody. In the second week of culture, additional follicular assembly was promoted in the presence of 100 ng/mL NT-4 but not with 10 ng/mL NT-4.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first report showing that NT-4 seems to promote human follicular assembly in fetal ovaries, probably in a dose-dependent manner. Follicular assembly is regulated by multiple signals, and additional studies on the effects of other growth factors in combination with NT-4 are warranted.
Farhi
Jacob
J
Infertility and IVF Unit, Helen Schneider Hospital for Women, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Hospital, Petach Tikva, Israel.
Fisch
Benjamin
B
Garor
Roni
R
Peled
Yoav
Y
Pinkas
Haim
H
Abir
Ronit
R
D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus; D006801:Humans; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000502:physiology*; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology*; D010053:Ovary / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology; D011247:Pregnancy; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000502:physiology*
D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; C073922:neurotrophin 4