Keratinocyte growth factor and its receptor in human ovaries from fetuses, girls and women

Ronita Abir*, B. Fisch, X. Y. Zhang, C. Felz, G. Kessler-Icekson, H. Krissi, S. Nitke, A. Ao

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) promotes growth of rat pre-antral follicles. There is limited information regarding its presence or that of its unique receptor (KGFR) in human ovaries, specifically in pre-antral follicles. The aim of the study was to investigate the expression of KGF and KGFR in ovarian samples from human fetuses and girls/women. The samples were prepared for immunohistochemical study of the KGF protein and for in situ hybridization to localize mRNA transcripts of KGFR. Total RNA was extracted from frozen ovarian samples, and the expression of KGF mRNA transcripts was investigated by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. In both fetuses and girls/women, the protein for KGF was detected from primordial stages in oocytes, granulosa cells (GCs) and stroma cells. Its mRNA transcripts were also detected in all extracts. The mRNA transcripts for KGFR were detected mainly in stroma cells in ovarian samples from both sources; in 10% of the samples, follicular staining was noted also in oocytes and GCs. Further studies adding KGF to the culture medium are needed to elucidate its putative role in human primordial follicle activation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)69-75
Number of pages7
JournalMolecular Human Reproduction
Volume15
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2009

Funding

FundersFunder number
Israel Cancer Association

    Keywords

    • Immunohistochemistry
    • In situ hybridization
    • KGF
    • Primordial follicles
    • RT-PCR

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