Follicle-stimulating hormone regulates expression and activity of epidermal growth factor receptor in the murine ovarian follicle.

ABSTRACT: Fertility depends on the precise coordination of multiple events within the ovarian follicle to ensure ovulation of a fertilizable egg. FSH promotes late follicular development, including expression of luteinizing hormone (LH) receptor by the granulosa cells. Expression of its receptor permits the subsequent LH surge to trigger the release of ligands that activate EGF receptors (EGFR) on the granulosa, thereby initiating the ovulatory events. Here we identify a previously unknown role for FSH in this signaling cascade. We show that follicles of Fshb(-/-) mice, which cannot produce FSH, have a severely impaired ability to support two essential EGFR-regulated events: expansion of the cumulus granulosa cell layer that encloses the oocyte and meiotic maturation of the oocyte. These defects are

SUBMITTER: El-Hayek S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4250110 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature