Phagocytic cells disposing of dying granulosa cells in the atretic ovarian follicles were morphologically studied in guinea pig ovaries at various stages of estrous cycle. Epon embedded semithin sections stained with toluidine blue were observed with a light microscope, and ultrathin sections were examined under a transmission electron microscope. Frozen sections were processed for acid phospha...

Progesterone receptor membrane component 2 (Pgrmc2) mRNA was detected in the immature rat ovary. By 48 h after eCG, Pgrmc2 mRNA levels decreased by 40% and were maintained at 48 h post-hCG. Immunohistochemical studies detected PGRMC2 in oocytes and ovarian surface epithelial, interstitial, thecal, granulosa, and luteal cells. PGRMC2 was also present in spontaneously immortalized granulosa cells...

BACKGROUND Ovarian follicle growth and maturation requires extensive communication between follicular somatic cells and oocytes. Recently, intercellular cell communication was described involving cell-secreted vesicles called exosomes (50-150 nm), which contain miRNAs and protein, and have been identified in ovarian follicular fluid. The goal of this study was to identify a possible role of exo...

BACKGROUND Granulosa cells play an important endocrine role in folliculogenesis. They mobilize Ca2+ from intracellular stores by a coordinated action between 1,4,5 inositol trisphosphate and ryanodine receptors (IP3R and RyR). The aim of this study was to explore the isoforms of IP3Rs expressed in mouse C57BL/6 NHsd granulosa cells, characterizing their intranuclear localization and the relatio...

Mammalian homologues of genes that control oogenesis in other organisms may play similar roles in mammalian ovarian development. In Drosophila melanogaster, GUSTAVUS (GUS) protein physically interacts with and is necessary for the proper posterior localization of VASA protein, and thus is required for specification of germ cells. We identified two mouse genes, SSB-1 and SSB-4 (SPRY domain SOCS ...

Follicle atresia is initiated within the granulosa cell layer of ovarian follicles and is mediated via the process of apoptosis. In the hen, at least two populations of granulosa cells can be distinguished during follicle development on the basis of their inherent susceptibility or resistance to apoptosis, in vitro. Given the previously established correlation between expression of bcl-xLong an...

OBJECTIVES Although many nanomaterials are being used in academia, industry and daily life, there is little understanding about the effects of nanoparticles on the reproductive health of vertebral animals, including human beings. An experimental study was therefore performed here to explore the effect of calcium phosphate nanoparticles on both steroid hormone production and apoptosis in human o...

introduction: among the endocrine diseases, hypothyroidism is the commonest after diabetes.thyroid hormones (t3,t4) are essential for genital organs function. apoptosis process in ovarian cells plays a significant role of development in ovarian follicles. the aim of the present study was determine the apoptotic index induced by hypothyroidism in rat ovarian follicles. materials and methods: in ...

BACKGROUND Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical used as a plasticizer, is a potent endocrine disruptor that, even in low concentrations, disturbs normal development and functions of reproductive organs in different species. OBJECTIVES We investigated whether BPA affects human ovarian granulosa cell function. METHODS We treated KGN granulosa cells and granulosa cells from subjects undergoing in vit...

Punicalagin is a major component responsible for pomegranate's (Punica granatum) antioxidant properties. Punicalagin is the predominant ellagitannin of Punica granatum and present in two isomeric forms: punicalagin α and β. Punicalagin is metabolised to ellagic acid (antioxidant) and microorganisms present in colon can metabolize ellagic acid to urolithins. The aim of in vitro study was to exam...