Ovarian cancer is a highly lethal gynecological cancer, and its causes remain to be understood. Using a recently identified tumor suppressor gene, GT198 (PSMC3IP), as a unique marker, we searched for the identity of GT198 mutant cells in ovarian cancer. GT198 has germ line mutations in familial and early onset breast and ovarian cancers and recurrent somatic mutations in sporadic fallopian tube...

Seven categories of corpora lutea i.e. small ( 1-5 days), medium (6-10 days), large (1115 days), regressing (16-21days) and of previous cycle, penultimate cycle and pregnancy (<30 days) of goat (Capra hircus) were analyzed for cellular polymorphism, dynamics and ultrastructural variations. Histologically, corpus luteum was comprised of two types of steroidogenic cells. The diameter of granulosa...

The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) have been postulated to play a critical role in the extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling associated with follicular development. The gelatinases were localized to the theca of developing follicles and in the stroma of the rodent ovary. Gelatinolytic activity corresponded with the localization of MMP-2 and MMP-9 around the...

Stanniocalcin (STC) in fish maintains calcium and phosphate homeostasis, whereas mammalian STC1 shows a diverse tissue expression pattern with ovary exhibiting the highest level. Based on the known expression of STC1 in theca/interstitial cells of the ovary, we generated recombinant N-glycosylated STC1 protein and tested its ability to modulate granulosa cell differentiation. In cultured rat gr...

Previous studies have implicated transcription factors GATA-4 and GATA-6 in the regulation of murine ovarian development and function. In rodents, GATA-4 is expressed in granulosa cells of primary and early antral follicles, whereas GATA-6 is expressed in granulosa cells of late antral follicles and luteal glands. Both transcription factors can be detected in lesser amounts in theca cells and i...

Cystic follicles have excess fluid derived from blood flow in the theca interna of the follicle; therefore, the vasculature network is related to cystic follicle formation. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent stimulator of blood vessel permeability and angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of VEGF receptors proteins and mRNA in cystic follicles to e...

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of thyroid hormone on steroid production and cAMP accumulation in porcine theca (Tc) and granulosa cells (Gc) isolated from preovulatory follicles as well as in luteal cells isolated during the mid-developing luteal phase. METHODS: Granulosa and theca cells separated from pig ovarian follicles and pieces of corpora lutea were cultured in the incubation me...

In vitro culture of ovarian granulosa cells and theca cells has been very important for our understanding of their function and regulation. One of the most eagerly sought attributes of cell culture is the use of chemically-defined conditions. However, even under such in vitro conditions cell behaviour could differ from the in vivo situation because of differences in oxygen tension, nutrients, a...

BACKGROUND Whether ovarian follicular rupture involves contractile activity or not has been debated for decades. Recently, study in the rodents has indicated that an endogenously produced potent vasoconstrictive peptide, endothelin-2 (EDN2), may induce follicular constriction immediately prior to ovulation. This study was aimed to systematically characterize the human ovarian endothelin system ...

Angiotensin II (AngII) is best known for its role in blood pressure regulation, but it also has documented actions in the reproductive system. There are two AngII receptors, type 1 (AGTR1) and type 2 (AGTR2). AGTR2 mediates the noncardiovascular effects of AngII and is expressed in the granulosa cell layer in rodents and is associated with follicle atresia. In contrast, expression of AGTR2 is r...