Reproduction Abstracts

Introduction: The molecular mechanisms involved in regulating growth of small, gonadotrophin-independent follicles are poorly understood. We have previously shown that the canonical TGFβ signalling intermediate, Smad3 is highly expressed in granulosa cells (GCs) of single-layered follicles. Furthermore, a reduction in the overall expression of Smad3 is associated with the onset of multi-layering and increased granulosa cell proliferation, suggesting modulation of TGF&#946...

Introduction: Primordial follicles are relatively quiescent structures that form the basis of the ovarian reserve. Maintenance of the quiescent state, and conversely, release from this state towards irreversible growth, involves mechanisms that are currently unresolved. Two transcription factors have been implicated alongside this process in granulosa cells (GCs). Specifically, Smad3 was recently identified in the nuclei of GCs in small single-layered follicles whereas Foxl2 i...