Regulation of ovarian function by the matrix metalloproteinase system

In most organs of mammals, cyclic remodelling of tissues after morphogenesis is minimal; however, reproductive tissues of female animals including endometrium, mammary gland, ovarian follicle and corpus luteum undergo growth, maturation and involution at various stages in the reproductive cycle or lifespan of the animal. Reconstruction of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is required for the dynamic tissue reorganization characteristic of these tissues. The ECM consists of proteinaceous and nonproteinaceous molecules that provide the tissue-specific, extracellular architecture to which cells attach. Furthermore, interaction of cellular receptors with proteins of the ECM can regulate cellular structure, second messenger generation and gene expression. Mainte-