Title: Intrafollicular roles of inhibin, interferon-alpha, and related peptides.

POPLINE Document Number: 075753

Author(s):

Findlay JK
Zhiwen Z
Hutchinson LA
Carson RS
Burger HG
Herington AC

Source citation:

In: Growth factors in fertility regulation. Proceedings of the Symposium on Potential of Molecular Biology in Fertility Regulation: Growth Regulatory Factors, jointly sponsored by the World Health Organization and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and held at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, on September 22-24, 1988, edited by Florence P. Haseltine, Jock K. Findlay. Cambridge, England, Cambridge University Press, 1991. :195-208. (Scientific Basis of Fertility Regulation)

Abstract:

This research addresses the question whether the inhibin family of peptides, including interferon-alpha and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), function as intraovarian autocrine regulators by acting on granulosa and theca cells. All of these cytokines are heterodimers with peptides in common. The group also includes activin (composed of 2 inhibin subunits), Mullerian inhibiting substance, and T-cell suppressing factor. Inhibin is made by granulosa and luteal cells, under the control of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and released by luteinizing hormones. Somatomedin-C (IGF-1) also elicits inhibin production. Epidermal growth factor inhibits FSH-stimulated production of inhibin and steroids, and promotes proliferation. TGF-beta also promotes FSH-stimulated inhibin synthesis. TGF-beta has specific receptors on granulosa cells. Activin has been isolated from follicular fluid; its function is as yet unknown. Interferon-alpha peptides have the ability to inhibit ovarian secretion of estradiol and progesterone independent of gonadotropin levels. This field of intraovarian regulators offers exciting potential for research on clinical syndromes such as resistant ovary syndrome, polycystic ovarian disease, luteinized unruptured follicle, and unexplained infertility.

Keywords:

Clinical Research
Ovary
Corpus Luteum
Ovarian Effects
Physiology
Biological Characteristics
Proteins
Hormones
Hormone Receptors
Estradiol
Progesterone
Luteinizing Hormone
Follicle Stimulating Hormone
Animals, Laboratory
In Vitro
Research Methodology
Genitalia, Female
Genitalia
Urogenital System
Biology
Endocrine System
Membrane Proteins
Estrogens
Progestational Hormones
Gonadotropins, Pituitary
Gonadotropins