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Effects of growth hormone on follicle growth, oocyte maturation, and ovarian steroidogenesis
Y Yoshimura1, Y Nakamura, N Koyama
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Objectives:
To assess the effects of GH on follicle growth, oocyte maturation, ovulation, and ovarian steroidogenesis.
Design:
In vitro perfused rabbit ovary.
Interventions:
The rabbit ovaries were perfused with medium alone, with GH at 1, 10, 100, or 200 ng/mL, or with 50 IU hCG for 12 hours.
Main Outcome Measures:
The follicle diameter, the percent change in follicle diameter, the percentage of oocytes achieving germinal vesicle breakdown, and the production of P and E2 by the perfused rabbit ovaries.
Results:
The addition of GH to the perfusate increased the follicle diameter at 12 hours after perfusion in a dose-dependent manner. The percent change in follicle diameter in GH-treated ovaries did not differ significantly from that in hCG-treated ovaries at each time point of perfusion. However, ovulation did not occur in either the control ovaries or the experimental ovaries treated with GH. Exposure to GH at a concentration of > 10 ng/mL significantly stimulated the resumption of meiosis, as compared with the contralateral control ovaries. Although the concentration of P in the perfusate did not differ significantly between GH-treated and control ovaries, GH stimulated E2 production by the perfused rabbit ovaries in a dose-dependent manner.
Conclusions:
Growth hormone acts on the rabbit ovary to stimulate follicle growth, oocyte maturation, and ovarian E2 production.