The effect of epidermal growth factor(EGF) on follicular development and steroidogenesis was investigated using an in vitro perfused immature rat ovary model. Type 3a and type 3b follicles were counted in the section...The effect of epidermal growth factor(EGF) on follicular development and steroidogenesis was investigated using an in vitro perfused immature rat ovary model. Type 3a and type 3b follicles were counted in the sections of perfused ovaries. To determine action of EGF on amortize activity, effect of testosterone(10-5 M) plus EGF(10 ng/ml) and that of testosterone(10-5 M) alone were compared. EGF(10 ng/ml) significantly increased the number of both types of follicles. At time-course experiment, EGF(10 ng/ml) did not enhance the number of both types of follicles after 10 hr perfusion, but significantly augmented it after perfusion of 20 hrs. EGF(10 ng/m) also stimulated progesterone production. There was no significant difference in estradiol level when ovaries were treated with EGF alone. The addition of testosterone significantly increased estradiol production. EGF inhibited testosterone-derived ovary estradiol production. These results suggest that EGF induces development of the primordial and primary follicles and plays an important role in controlling development by regulating function of granulosa cells.展开更多
文摘The effect of epidermal growth factor(EGF) on follicular development and steroidogenesis was investigated using an in vitro perfused immature rat ovary model. Type 3a and type 3b follicles were counted in the sections of perfused ovaries. To determine action of EGF on amortize activity, effect of testosterone(10-5 M) plus EGF(10 ng/ml) and that of testosterone(10-5 M) alone were compared. EGF(10 ng/ml) significantly increased the number of both types of follicles. At time-course experiment, EGF(10 ng/ml) did not enhance the number of both types of follicles after 10 hr perfusion, but significantly augmented it after perfusion of 20 hrs. EGF(10 ng/m) also stimulated progesterone production. There was no significant difference in estradiol level when ovaries were treated with EGF alone. The addition of testosterone significantly increased estradiol production. EGF inhibited testosterone-derived ovary estradiol production. These results suggest that EGF induces development of the primordial and primary follicles and plays an important role in controlling development by regulating function of granulosa cells.
