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The function of bone morphogenetic proteins in the human ovary

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Reproductive Medicine and Biology

Abstract

The gonadotropins, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH), are of particular importance in ovarian physiology. However, FSH receptors and LH receptors are not expressed until the secondary follicle stage, indicating that initiation of follicular growth is independent of the gonadotropins. Among many intra-ovarian growth factors, many studies have shown that bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) play pivotal roles in regulating the early phases of follicular growth. The BMP system induces the gonadotropin system by modulating gonadotropin receptors in early-stage follicles. Interestingly, the BMP system also prevents precocious maturation of the follicle by suppressing luteinization. Signals provoked by the preovulatory LH surge eliminate BMPs, enabling luteinization to progress. Thus, the BMP system and the gonadotropin system seem to cooperate in regulating follicular development, maturation, and luteinization.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Dr Heather M. Martinez for her helpful discussion and critical reading of the manuscript. This work was supported in part by Health and Labor Sciences Research Grants from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan

    Osamu Yoshino, Jia Shi, Yutaka Osuga, Miyuki Harada, Tetsu Yano & Yuji Taketani

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mizonokuchi Hospital, Teikyo University, Kawasaki, 213-8507, Japan

    Osamu Yoshino & Osamu Nishii

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  1. Osamu Yoshino
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  2. Jia Shi
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Correspondence to Osamu Yoshino.

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Yoshino, O., Shi, J., Osuga, Y. et al. The function of bone morphogenetic proteins in the human ovary. Reprod Med Biol 10, 1–7 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12522-010-0072-3

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