Bovine granulosa cells produce basic fibroblast growth factor

Area of Science:

• Reproductive biology
• Cellular and molecular biology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Granulosa cells are crucial for ovarian function.
• Vascularization of the follicle is essential for ovulation.
• Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a known mitogen.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the expression and function of bFGF in cultured bovine granulosa cells.
• To determine if granulosa cell-derived bFGF is bioactive.
• To explore the potential role of bFGF in follicular vascular development.

Main Methods:

• Culturing bovine granulosa cells.
• Analyzing mRNA transcripts for bFGF using Northern blotting.
• Assessing the bioactivity of the secreted bFGF on cell proliferation.
• Using neutralizing antibodies to inhibit bFGF effects.

Main Results:

• Bovine granulosa cells express the bFGF gene, producing 7.0- and 3.7-kilobase mRNA transcripts.
• These transcripts are translated into a 16,000 mol wt bFGF-like protein.
• The secreted bFGF stimulates the proliferation of endothelial and granulosa cells.
• Neutralizing anti-bFGF antibodies block this mitogenic effect.

Conclusions:

• Granulosa cells produce bioactive bFGF.
• This bFGF can act as both an autocrine and paracrine factor.
• bFGF may contribute to the vascularization of the theca interna in ovarian follicles.