Interactions between mesenchymal-derived thecal cells and epithelial-derived granulosa cells are essential for follicular development in the ovary. These mesenchymal-epithelial cell interactions are in part mediated by keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and Kit ligand (KL). This study investigates the hypothesis that thecal cell-derived growth factors (e.g. KGF an...

The National Toxicology Program (NTP) classification system for rat and mouse ovarian tumors is presented. The classification system is based on previous classification systems and on a review of all the primary ovarian tumors from the archives of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and NTP Carcinogenesis Testing Programs. The relative frequency and principal diagnostic features of 204 ovarian ...

The developing ovarian follicle is one of the most rapidly proliferating normal tissues in vivo. Mesenchymal-epithelial cell interactions between theca cells and granulosa cells are essential for this follicular expansion. Ovarian hormones (i.e. estrogen and LH) may promote follicular development by regulating the local production of mesenchymal inducer proteins that mediate theca cell-granulos...