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Chemical structure of sterols that activate oocyte meiosis

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Abstract

GONADOTROPHINS and various growth factors, but not sex steroids, can induce resumption of meiosis in vitro, but only in oocytes enclosed by cumulus-granulosa cells1. Follicular purines prevent resumption of meiosis2,3. This process can be overcome, in vitro, by a transient elevation of cyclic AMP resulting in the production of a diffusible meiosis-inducing substance secreted by the cumulus cells4. A meiosis-inducing activity has been detected in gonads of different species, for example, in preovulatory follicular fluid of women5 and in mouse testes6. We report here the isolation and characterization of meiosis-activating sterols from human follicular fluid and bull testes and the synthesis of two closely related C29 sterols. AH these sterols induce a resumption of meiosis in cultured cumulus-enclosed and naked mouse oocytes indicating their nonspecificity across species and sex. This family of sterols is for the first time considered crucial to meiosis.

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Author notes

  1. Lars Nordholm, Henning Thogersen, Ole Wassmann, Jan Vanggaard Andersen and Erling Guddal: Novo Nordisk, DK-2760 Måløv, Denmark

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rigshospitalet, Section 5712, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100, Copenhagen, Denmark

    Anne Grete Byskov, Claus Yding Andersen, Lars Nordholm, Henning Thogersen, Xia Guoliang, Ole Wassmann, Jan Vanggaard Andersen, Erling Guddal & Tiny Roed

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  1. Anne Grete Byskov
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  2. Claus Yding Andersen
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  3. Lars Nordholm
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  4. Henning Thogersen
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  5. Xia Guoliang
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  6. Ole Wassmann
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  7. Jan Vanggaard Andersen
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  8. Erling Guddal
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  9. Tiny Roed
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Byskov, A., Andersen, C., Nordholm, L. et al. Chemical structure of sterols that activate oocyte meiosis. Nature 374, 559–562 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1038/374559a0

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