The families of TGF-β proteins are the most important growth factors in the ovary for growth and differentiation of early ovarian follicles. Three related oocyte-derived members of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily namely growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9), BMP15 and BMPR-IB have been shown to be essential for follicular growth and ovulation. Different mutations in the GDF9 gene ...

background: human embryonic stem cells (hesc), which are derived from the inner cell mass of the blastocysts, have been considered to be pluripotent cells. in this study we examine the differentiating potential of hesc into hepatocytes by characterization of the expression of endoderm and liver-specific genes. methods: hesc were cultivated in suspension to form aggregates, the embryoid bodies. ...