Gene expression in rhesus macaque ovarian preantral follicles without and with anti-Mullerian hormone treatment

Monkey ovarian preantral follicles can be cultured individually in a matrix-free system. Follicles maintain the three-dimensional architecture and grow to perform similar function, e.g. regulatory factor production and metabolic activity, to that of preantral follicles developed in vivo. The goal of this study is to compare global gene expression in preantral follicles without and with exposure to anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), a transforming growth factor beta family member. The study will determine AMH-regulated genes during follicular development at the preantral stage and the molecular mechanisms through which AMH promotes preantral follicle growth in primate species. AMH treatment may contribute to the improvement of ovarian stimulation protocol during the in vitro fertilization cycle for women seeking infertility treatment via assisted reproductive technology.

猕猴卵巢窦前卵泡可在无基质培养体系中进行单独体外培养。此类卵泡可维持三维结构并生长，其功能（如调控因子分泌与代谢活性）与体内发育的窦前卵泡相近。本研究的目标为对比暴露于抗缪勒管激素（anti-Mullerian hormone, AMH，转化生长因子β家族成员）与未暴露于该激素的窦前卵泡的全局基因表达谱。本研究将明确灵长类动物窦前卵泡发育阶段中AMH调控的基因，以及AMH促进窦前卵泡生长的分子机制。AMH干预或可优化接受辅助生殖技术的不孕女性在体外受精周期中的卵巢刺激方案。