BMP and oocytes integragte intrafollicular communication in the ovary

我们研究了存在于哺乳动物卵巢中的BMP系统，它在调节各种颗粒细胞功能方面发挥着作用。BMP-2、BMP-4、BMP-6、BMP-7和BMP-15可抑制颗粒细胞促性腺激素依赖性孕酮的合成，推测BMP是卵巢周期卵泡期生长卵泡的生理性黄体生成抑制因子。BMP系统对哺乳动物正常生殖的重要生理意义在本研究中发现了BMP对成纤维细胞生长因子信号的拮抗作用和对催乳素诱导的卵巢功能障碍的抑制作用。基于我们对垂体、下丘脑和其他组织中BMP系统的新发现，我们可以扩大对BMP在生殖内分泌功能系统调节中自分泌/旁分泌作用的理解。

We have investigated the BMP system that exists in the mammalian ovary and plays roles in regulating various granulosa cell functions. BMP ligands including BMP-2, -4, -6, -7 and -15 were found to inhibit gondotropin-dependent progesterone synthesis by granulosa cells, which led to the hypothesis that BMPs are a physiological luteinization inhibitor in growing ovarian follicles during the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle. The physiological importance of the BMP system for normal mammalian reproduction has been further recognized by the discovery of antagonistic actions of BMPs to FGF signaling and inhibitory actions of BMPs on prolactin-induced ovarian dysfunctions in our current study. Based on our new findings regarding BMP system in the pituitary, hypothalamus and other tissues, we could expand the understanding of autocrine/paracrine actions of BMPs in the systemic regulation of reproductive endocrine functions.