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. Design: 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. Setting: Major tertiary care and referral academic centers. Patient(s): Fourteen women/girls undergoing various gynecological operations and two fetuses from women undergoing pregnancy terminations. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): Follicular counts, immunohistochemistry for proliferating cell nuclear antigen and bromodeoxyuridine incorporation and measurement of 17β E₂ production. Result(s): 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 E₂ production increased significantly in the second week, and there was a significant reduction in E₂ 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. Conclusion(s): Basic FGF apparently plays a role in the E₂ production of early follicles. High doses of basic FGF enhanced follicular development in serum-free media.