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Reduced and delayed expression of GDF9 and BMP15 in ovarian tissues from women with polycystic ovary syndrome

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

Abstract

Purpose

Growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) play crucial roles in follicular development and oocyte maturation. This study aimed to investigate and compare the expression of these proteins in ovarian tissues of women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods

Ovarian tissues from 28 patients with PCOS and 26 normal ovulatory women were collected, and the expression of GDF9 and BMP15 in oocytes and granulosa cells was evaluated via immunohistochemical staining.

Results

GDF9 and BMP15 were first expressed in primordial follicles at very low levels, and their expression increased gradually with follicular development, reaching the highest levels in Graafian follicles. However, less GDF9 and BMP15 expression was observed in primordial, primary, and secondary follicles in ovarian tissues of PCOS patients compared with levels in the control tissues (P < 0.05). In Graafian follicles, GDF9 and BMP15 expression reached comparable levels in the PCOS and control groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

The expression of GDF9 and BMP15 in ovarian tissues varies among the developmental stages in both oocytes and granulosa cells in human ovarian tissues. The expression of these proteins is reduced and delayed in the early follicular stage in PCOS ovarian tissues, and these differences in expression may be associated with aberrant follicular development in patients with PCOS.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant numbers 81200476 and 81200417), the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province (grant numbers S2012040007770 and S2012040007621), the National Doctoral Foundation of China (grant numbers 20120171120122 and 20120171120093), the Medical Science and Technology Research Foundation of Guangdong Province (grant numbers B2012150 and B2012104); the Young Teacher Fund of Sun Yat-sen University (grant number 11ykpy24); the Project of Science and Technology New Star in Zhu Jiang of Guangzhou City; and the Yat-sen Scholarship for Young Scientists.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Reproductive Medicine Research Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 17th Shou-gou-ling Rd, Guangzhou, 510655, China

    Li-Na Wei, Rui Huang, Li-Lin Li, Cong Fang & Xiao-Yan Liang

  2. Reproductive Medicine Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 107 Yan Jiang West Road, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, China

    Yi Li

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  1. Li-Na Wei
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  2. Rui Huang
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  4. Cong Fang
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Correspondence to Yi Li.

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Capsule

GDF9 and BMP15 expression in human ovarian tissue.

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Wei, LN., Huang, R., Li, LL. et al. Reduced and delayed expression of GDF9 and BMP15 in ovarian tissues from women with polycystic ovary syndrome. J Assist Reprod Genet 31, 1483–1490 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-014-0319-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-014-0319-8

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