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PTEN and Akt expression during growth of human ovarian follicles

  • Physiology
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To assess the expression of PTEN and total and phosphorylated Akt in human ovarian follicles during follicular growth.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry of ovarian tissues and Western blotting and immunofluorescence of primary cultured luteinized granulosa cells for PTEN and Akt.

Results

Immunoreactivity of Akt was found in the oocytes, granulosa cells and theca cells in primordial follicles, follicles at each growing stage and luteal cells. As the follicles grew, staining for PTEN became intense in the granulosa cells, whereas the intensity of phospho-Akt became weak. Western blotting and immunofluorescence analysis using primary cultured granulosa-lutein cells showed Akt and PTEN expression, and phosphorylation of Akt in vitro.

Conclusions

PTEN and Akt are present in the granulosa cells during folliculogenesis. An increase in PTEN may lead to changes in proliferation and/or differentiation of granulosa cells during follicular growth via regulation of Akt phosphorylation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan

    Maki Goto, Akira Iwase, Hisao Ando, Shozo Kurotsuchi, Toko Harata & Fumitaka Kikkawa

  2. Department of Maternal and Perinatal Medicine, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan

    Akira Iwase & Toko Harata

Authors
  1. Maki Goto
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  2. Akira Iwase
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  3. Hisao Ando
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  4. Shozo Kurotsuchi
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  5. Toko Harata
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  6. Fumitaka Kikkawa
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Akira Iwase.

Additional information

Capsule

An increase in PTEN expression of human ovaries may lead to regulation of proliferation and differentation of granulosa cell via a decrease in phosphorylated Akt.

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Goto, M., Iwase, A., Ando, H. et al. PTEN and Akt expression during growth of human ovarian follicles. J Assist Reprod Genet 24, 541–546 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-007-9156-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-007-9156-3

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