Evidence for the presence of hepatocyte growth factor expression in human ovarian follicles

• Published in: Molecular human reproduction Vol. 5; no. 8; pp. 703 - 707
• Main Authors: Osuga, Yutaka, Tsutsumi, Osamu, Momoeda, Mikio, Okagaki, Ryugo, Matsumi, Hirotaka, Hiroi, Hisahiko, Suenaga, Akihiko, Yano, Tetsu, Taketani, Yuji
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 01.08.1999
• Subjects: Adult; Base Sequence; Biological and medical sciences; Chorionic Gonadotropin - metabolism; DNA Primers - genetics; Estradiol - metabolism; Female; follicular fluid; Follicular Fluid - metabolism; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gene Expression; hepatocyte growth factor; Hepatocyte Growth Factor - genetics; Hepatocyte Growth Factor - metabolism; Humans; IVF embryo transfer; Molecular and cellular biology; Molecular genetics; ovary; Progesterone - metabolism; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met - genetics; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Messenger - genetics; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Testosterone - metabolism; Human; Ovarian follicular fluid; Hepatocyte growth factor; Assisted procreation; Reverse transcription; Gonadotropin; Gene expression; Ovarian hormone; Placental hormone; In vitro fertilization embryo transfer; Polymerase chain reaction; Ovary; Human chorionic gonadotrophin; Regulation(control); Female genital system; Immunoblotting assay; Progesterone; Sex steroid hormone; Woman; Ovarian follicle
• ISSN: 1360-9947; 1460-2407; 1460-2407
• DOI: 10.1093/molehr/5.8.703

The presence of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in follicular fluid (FF) relative to concentrations of sex steroid hormones and human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) was investigated. A total of 69 FF samples were obtained during oocyte retrieval for in-vitro fertilization (IVF) from 11 patients with no apparent endocrine disorders. The concentrations of HGF, oestradiol, progesterone, HCG and testosterone in FF samples were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Transcription of HGF and its receptor, c-met, was detected by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR). Human FF samples contained ~90-fold higher amounts of HGF (24.2 ± 1.2 ng/ml), compared with those of serum (0.28 ± 0.04 ng/ml). Concentrations of HGF in FF were positively correlated with those of progesterone (r = 0.649, P < 0.0001) and HCG (r = 0.264, P = 0.026) concentrations in FF. However, HGF concentrations were not significantly correlated with oestradiol and testosterone. HGF in FF was detected by Western blotting, as a single 90 kDa band, corresponding to a single chain form. Additionally, mRNA for both HGF and its receptor were detected in a crude granulosa cell preparation from the pre-ovulatory follicles. These findings suggest that HGF is produced locally in human ovarian follicles and may have a physiological role as an autocrine/paracrine factor.