title: Studying the Functions of TGF-β Signaling in the Ovary.
abstract: In mammals, ovulation is a multistep physiological process that includes preovulatory follicle growth, oocyte meiotic maturation, cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) expansion, follicle rupture, and luteinization. TGF-β signaling pathway has multiple functions in mammalian ovary, as its complexity in ovarian function has been demonstrated by mouse models with knockouts of TGF-β receptors and SMADs. We describe the protocol that we use to study functions of TGF-β signaling pathway in follicle development and ovulation. Because total knockout of TGF-β pathway components often causes embryonic lethality, which prevents further investigation of these genes in ovarian functions, people have generated ovarian cell type-specific knockout mouse strains for TGF-β signaling pathway genes. These mouse models are also described.
authors.affiliation: Life Science Institute and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Life Science Institute and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
authors.forename: Jian-Jie
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Life Science Institute and Innovation Center for Cell Signaling Network, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China. hyfan@zju.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Heng-Yu
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Fan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009865:Oocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism*; D010060:Ovulation / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone
keywords: Female fertility; Follicle; Oocyte; Ovary; Ovulation