Growth factor content in normal and benign ovarian tumours

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha) content was measured in normal ovaries and benign ovarian tumours. Epidermal growth factor was present in 12.7% of normal ovaries, with a range 0.030-0.533 ng/mg DNA, and in 31.8% of benign ovarian tumours, with a range 0.1335-2.080 ng/ml DNA. TGF alpha was present in 84.5% of normal ovaries, with a range of values from 0.037-18.2 ng/mg DNA, and in 84.1% of benign ovarian tumours, with a range of 0.083-195 ng/mg DNA. The TGF alpha content in post menopausal benign ovarian tumours was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) than TGF alpha in the pre-menopausal normal ovarian group. The frequency of detection and levels of TGF alpha measured were significantly higher than those of EGF in the normal ovary group (P < 0.001) and also in the benign ovarian group (P < 0.005). We conclude that TGF alpha is the predominant growth factor present in normal ovaries and benign ovarian tumours.