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The involvement of the Toll-like receptor family in ovulation

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

Abstract

Introduction

Ovulation is similar to an inflammatory response and is associated with increased production of prostaglandins as well as local growth regulatory factors. However, the expression and function of innate immune cell-related genes in non-immune cells within the ovary has been reported recently and provides a novel and important regulatory system during ovulation.

Discussion

Several members of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) surveillance system are expressed in granulosa cells and cumulus cells. These receptors can be activated by pathogens as well as endogenous ligands leading to the induction and release of potent cytokines and chemokines from cumulus cells.

Conclusion

These inflammatory factors exert potent effects on cumulus cell-oocyte expansion, ovulation, transport and fertilization indicating that ovulation is a more complex immune-inflammatory process than previously recognized.

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Acknowledgements

Supported in part by NIH-HD-16229 and HD-07495 (SCCPIR)(ZL, JSR) and Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (18688016) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) (MS)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA

    Zhilin Liu & JoAnne S. Richards

  2. Graduate School of Biosphere Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan

    Masayuki Shimada

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  1. Zhilin Liu
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  2. Masayuki Shimada
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  3. JoAnne S. Richards
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Correspondence to JoAnne S. Richards.

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Liu, Z., Shimada, M. & Richards, J.S. The involvement of the Toll-like receptor family in ovulation. J Assist Reprod Genet 25, 223–228 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-008-9219-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-008-9219-0

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