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Activin A inhibits activation of human primordial follicles in vitro

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

Abstract

Purpose

To determine whether Activin A affects the activation and survival of human primordial follicles in vitro.

Methods

Ovarian cortical biopsies from eight women undergoing elective caesarean sections or benign gynaecological procedures were taken and cut into small pieces (1–3 mm3), cultured in serum-free medium for 7 days with/without human recombinant Activin A at a concentration of either 50 or 100 ng/ml. Ovarian tissue were analysed by histology for follicle viability, development and density.

Result(s)

Significant activation of primordial follicles within cultured cortical tissue was observed after 7 days in control medium. However, medium supplemented with Activin A at 50 ng/ml resulted in significant inhibition of follicular activation. Increasing the concentration of Activin A to 100 ng/ml reversed the inhibitory effect. The effect of Activin A appeared to be specific to activation of non-growing (primordial) follicles into the growing population since no significant differences in follicle viability was observed between treatment groups.

Conclusion(s)

Activin A at a concentration of 50 ng/ml can inhibit the spontaneous activation of human primordial follicles in vitro indicating that this may be a component of the signalling mechanisms that maintain follicular quiescence.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Mr John Binnie for his outstanding technical assistance, and the women who took part in this research. We would also like to thank the Edinburgh Assisted Conception Unit for funding the project through its Endowment Fund.

Investigations on Human Subjects

This study was approved by the local ethics committee.

Conflict of Interest Statement

No conflict of interest for any of the submitting authors in reference to the submitted material.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Reproductive Medicine Unit, Liverpool Women’s Hospital, Liverpool, UK

    Chi Christina Ding

  2. Assisted Conception Unit, Edinburgh Fertility and Reproductive Endocrine Centre, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK

    Chi Christina Ding & K. Joo Thong

  3. St. Georges Hospital, London, UK

    Archie Krishna

  4. Institute of Cell Biology, The Darwin Building, University of Edinburgh, The King’s Buildings, Mayfield Road, Edinburgh, UK

    Evelyn E. Telfer

Authors
  1. Chi Christina Ding
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  2. K. Joo Thong
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  3. Archie Krishna
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  4. Evelyn E. Telfer
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Evelyn E. Telfer.

Additional information

Capsule This study observed a dose dependent inhibitory action of Activin A on the activation of human primordial follicles in vitro.

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Ding, C.C., Thong, K.J., Krishna, A. et al. Activin A inhibits activation of human primordial follicles in vitro. J Assist Reprod Genet 27, 141–147 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-010-9395-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-010-9395-6

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