GDF-9 and BMP-15 direct the follicle symphony

• Autor(a) principal: Sanfins, Alexandra
• Data de Publicação: 2018
• Outros Autores: Rodrigues, Patricia, Albertini, David F.
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.21/8876
• topic: BMP-15; Folliculogenesis; GDF-9; Oocyte quality; Ovarian function; TGFβ

Understanding the physiology underlying the complex dialog between the oocyte and it's surrounding somatic cells within the ovarian follicle has been crucial in defining optimal procedures for the development of clinical approaches in ART for women suffering from infertility and ovarian dysfunction. Recent studies have implicated oocyte-secreted factors like growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF-9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP-15), members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) superfamily, as potent regulators of folliculogenesis and ovulation. These two factors act as biologically active heterodimers or as homodimers in synergistic cooperation. Through autocrine and paracrine mechanisms, the GDF-9 and BMP-15 system have been shown to regulate growth, differentiation, and function of granulosa and thecal cells during follicular development playing a vital role in oocyte development, ovulation, fertilization, and embryonic competence. The present mini-review provides an overview of recent findings relating GDF-9 and BMP-15 as fundamental factors implicated in the regulation of ovarian function and discusses they're potential role as markers of oocyte quality in women.