BMP and oocytes integragte intrafollicular communication in the ovary

我们研究了哺乳动物卵巢中存在的BMP系统，该系统在调节各种颗粒细胞功能中发挥作用。BMP配体包括BMP-2、-4、-6、-7和-15，可抑制颗粒细胞对促性腺激素依赖性孕酮的合成，这使得我们假设BMP是卵巢周期卵泡期卵泡生长过程中生理性黄体生成素抑制剂。在我们目前的研究中，BMP对FGF信号的拮抗作用和BMP对催乳素诱导的卵巢功能障碍的抑制作用的发现，进一步认识了BMP系统对正常哺乳动物生殖的生理重要性。基于我们在垂体、下丘脑等组织中BMP系统的新发现，我们可以扩大对BMP自分泌/旁分泌作用在生殖内分泌功能的全身调节中的理解。

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.