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Expression of inhibin-activin subunits, follistatin and smads in granulosa-luteal cells collected at oocyte retrieval

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Abstract

Purpose: To examine the expression of inhibin-activin subunits, follistatin, and Smads 2, 3 and 4 in granulosa-luteal cells at the time of oocyte retrieval.

Methods: Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was performed to quantify the mRNA expression of the investigated genes: inhibin α-subunit, inhibin-activin βA- and βB-subunits, follistatin, and Smads 2, 3 and 4.

Results: α-, βA- and βB-subunits of inhibin-activin, and follistatin were all well expressed in granulosa-luteal cells obtained from either dominant or cohort follicles. α-subunits strongly correlated with Smad2 (p < 0.001). βA-subunit significantly correlated with Smad4, p < 0.001. βB-subunit significantly correlated with Smad2, p=0.002, and follistatin expression strongly correlated with the expression of Smads 2 and 4 (p < 0.001 and = 0.007 respectively).

Conclusions: We found, for the first time that inhibin-activin βB-subunit mRNA was well expressed in human granulosa-luteal cells obtained from either dominant or cohort follicles. α-, βA- and βB-subunits and follistatin correlated with Smads to varied degrees, suggesting the active roles of the above genes at the time of oocyte retrieval.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by grant NSC 92-2314-B-182-084 from the National Science Council, Taiwan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center, 123 Ta-Pei Road, Niao-Sung Hsiang, Kaohsiung County, 833, Taiwan

    Shiuh Young Chang, Kuo-Chung Lan, Fu-Jen Huang & Ko-En Huang

  2. Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan

    Shiuh Young Chang, Hong-Yo Kang, Kuo-Chung Lan, Fu-Jen Huang & Ko-En Huang

  3. Center of Reproductive Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

    Hong-Yo Kang, Chang-Yi Hseh & Ko-En Huang

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  1. Shiuh Young Chang
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Correspondence to Ko-En Huang.

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Chang, S.Y., Kang, HY., Lan, KC. et al. Expression of inhibin-activin subunits, follistatin and smads in granulosa-luteal cells collected at oocyte retrieval. J Assist Reprod Genet 23, 385–392 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-006-9068-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-006-9068-7

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