The timing of cellular exit from the cell cycle during differentiation is specific for each cell type or lineage. Granulosa cells in the ovary establish quiescence within several hours after the ovulation-inducing luteinizing hormone surge, whereas they undergo differentiation into corpora lutea. The expression of Cdk inhibitors p21 and p27 is up-regulated during this process, suggesting that t...

Follicular atresia is a process of spontaneous degradation of follicles, hindering growth and development in the mammalian ovary. Previous studies showed that follicular atresia was caused by apoptosis of granulosa cells, for which a number of apoptosis-related genes have already been identified. The roles of p53 in apoptosis of mouse granulosa cells and its post-translational modification are ...

BACKGROUND Homeobox (HOX) genes encode transcription factors, which regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, adhesion, and migration. The deregulation of HOX genes is frequently associated with human reproductive system disorders. However, knowledge regarding the role of HOX genes in human granulosa cells is limited. METHODS To determine the role of HOXA7 in the regulation and associated...

Various environmental insults including diseases, heat and oxidative stress could lead to abnormal growth, functions and apoptosis in granulosa cells during ovarian follicle growth and oocyte maturation. Despite the fact that cells exposed to oxidative stress are responding transcriptionally, the potential release of transcripts associated with oxidative stress response into extracellular space...

Asem, Elikplimi K., Wuxuan Qin, and Stanley G. Rane. Effect of basal lamina of ovarian follicle on Tand L-type Ca21 currents in differentiated granulosa cells. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 282: E184–E196, 2002.—Patch clamp experiments were conducted to study the effects of basal lamina (basement membrane) of chicken ovarian follicle on membrane Ca21 currents in differentiated chicken granulosa...

Experiments were conducted to determine the influence of basal lamina on the morphology of ovarian granulosa cells in vitro. Pure and intact basal lamina was isolated from the large preovulatory follicles of the chicken ovary and designated basal lamina of avian ovarian follicle (BLAOF). Examination of the isolated basal lamina with electron microscope revealed an ultrastructure that is similar...

Intercellular communication is required for ovarian folliculogenesis. This is apparent in mice lacking connexin43 (Cx43, a gap junction protein strongly expressed in granulosa cells), or growth/differentiation factor-9 (GDF9, an oocyte-specific growth factor that stimulates granulosa cell proliferation and differentiation), or in mice expressing a mutant form of Kit ligand (KITL, a paracrine fa...

We have examined estrogen-responsiveness of ovarian granulosa cells by focusing on estrogen receptor (ER) expression. Estrogen responsiveness was determined by examining the effect of 17beta-estradiol (1-10 nM) on luciferase reporter activity in rat granulosa cells transfected with an ERE-luciferase construct. The results demonstrate an estrogen-induced (approximately 3-fold) increase in lucife...

Prolactin (PRL) has both pro- and anti-gonadal roles in the regulation of avian ovarian functions through its interaction with the receptor (PRLR). However, neither the pattern of expression of PRLR nor its regulatory mechanisms during follicle development have been clearly defined. The objective of the present study was to investigate mechanisms of PRLR expression in chicken granulosa cells. L...