Neurotrophin 4 enhances in vitro follicular assembly in human fetal ovaries

Jacob Farhi, Benjamin Fisch, Roni Garor, Yoav Peled, Haim Pinkas, Ronit Abir*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the in vitro effect of neurotrophin 4 (NT-4) on follicular assembly in human fetal ovaries. Design: 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. Setting: Infertility unit at an university-affiliated tertiary medical center. Patient(s): Four patients who underwent pregnancy terminations at 19-20 gestational weeks. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): Histologic findings of follicular assembly. Result(s): 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. Conclusion(s): 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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1267-1271
Number of pages5
JournalFertility and Sterility
Volume95
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 Mar 2011

Funding

FundersFunder number
Israel Cancer Association

    Keywords

    • Neurotrophin 4
    • human fetal ovaries
    • p75 receptor
    • primordial follicular assembly

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