The roles of the ovarian extracellular matrix in fertility

In the mammalian ovary there is considerable and continuous remodelling of tissue during both fetal and adult life, necessitating changes in extracellular matrix. Matrix is a diverse group of molecules varying in its composition and roles, which include regulation of growth factor activity and cell behaviour. Here we discuss four topical aspects of matrices in ovaries. (1) Our current state of knowledge of latent TGFFbeta binding proteins that can bind the extracellular matrix fibrillins. Fibrillins and latent TGFbeta binding proteins may be very important given the genetic linkage data implicating a role for fibrillin 3 in polycystic ovarian syndrome. They will almost certainly be important in the stromal compartments of the ovary by regulating TGFbeta bioactivity. (2) Follicles which have an unusual ultrastructural follicular basal lamina and poor quality oocytes. The results suggest that the use of oocytes from these follicles should be avoided in assisted reproductive technologies. (3) Evidence that expression of components of focimatrix correlates with expression of aromatase and cholesterol side-chain cleavage in granulosa cells. Focimatrix is a novel type of basal lamina associated with granulosa cells with expression beginning before deviation and continuing until ovulation. It may be involved in maturation of granulosa cells and selection of the dominant follicle. (4) Evidence is presented in support of a hypothesis that follicular fluid accumulates in follicles due to the osmotic potential of hyaluronan and versican, which are matrices produced by granulosa cells and too large to traverse the follicular antrum. These examples illustrate the diversity of matrix and foreshadow potential important discoveries involving extracellular matrix in ovaries.