Luteal deficiency caused by human ovarian follicular fluid peptide in post-partum marmosets, Callithrix jacchus.

A peptide purified from human ovarian follicular fluid (hOFFP) was administered during the follicular phase of post-partum marmosets. Four of the five animals treated with hOFFP, ovulated as evidenced by the presence of ovarian stigmata at the time of laparotomy. However, only 2 of these animals became pregnant, one had a normal delivery while the other aborted. A shortening of the luteal phase was observed in the other three animals and all animals conceived in subsequent cycles. The results indicated that treatment with the ovarian follicular fluid peptide resulted in impairment of fertility as a result of luteal insufficiency.

Interference with ovulation and luteal function by human ovarian follicular fluid peptide in bonnet monkeys, Macaca radiata.

Partially purified human ovarian follicular fluid peptide (hGF2) was administered during follicular phase in 5 bonnet monkeys. In control as well as hGF2-injected animals, ovulation was synchronized by treatment with FSH, Pergonal and hCG. All the 5 control bonnet monkeys showed plasma estradiol peak followed by increased progesterone levels. In 4 out of 5 hGF2-injected animals, plasma progesterone levels were drastically reduced. Plasma estradiol levels were decreased only in 3 animals in which amenorrhea was observed. These data reveal that hGF2 injection disrupted ovarian function in bonnet monkeys.

Suppression of steroidogenesis in mice granulosa cells by a synthetic nonapeptide fragment of human seminal plasma inhibin.

A synthetic nonapeptide, which is C-terminal sequence of 94-amino acid of prostatic inhibin peptide was tested for progesterone and estrogen secretion by mouse granulosa cell cultures. Nonapeptide suppressed the progesterone and estrogen synthesis, the magnitude of suppression was highest at 5 ng dose level for progesterone and 50 ng dose level for estradiol. The study suggests that, nonapeptide exerts its effect by impairing the binding of FSH to granulosa cell receptors.

Localization and detection of ovarian follicular fluid protein in follicles of human ovaries.

Human ovarian follicular fluid protein has been partially purified and the active fraction designated as hGF2. Using specific polyclonal antiserum to hGF2, it was observed to be localized immunohistochemically in the granulosa cells of medium but not large follicles of human ovary. The hGF2 levels were estimated by ELISA in serum and follicular fluid of 10 gonadotropin-stimulated women recruited for IVF-ET programme. The results revealed a 3-fold increase in the concentration of hGF2 in follicular fluid compared to that in serum of these patients. These data indicate that the protein is secreted by granulosa cells and plays an important role in the regulation of follicular maturation and ovulation.

Suppression of antral formation in the ovarian follicles of marmosets by human ovarian follicular fluid protein.

Ovarian follicular fluid peptide (OFFP) has earlier been shown to inhibit maturation of large follicles and ovulation in mice. An active fraction hGF2, obtained following partial purification from human ovarian follicular fluid, was injected at a dose of 20 micrograms to 4-month-old immature marmosets, every alternate day for 2 months. The animal were autopsied at 4 and 6 months of age. Ovarian morphology indicated the appearance of large follicles at 6 months of age in the control group. In contrast, in hGF2 treated marmosets development up to preantral follicles could be seen at 6 months. Furthermore, only in 1 out of the 3 treated marmosets, presence of large preantral follicles was observed and in the remaining 4 animals only primary and secondary follicles were noted. These results reveal that OFFP suppresses follicular development and antrum formation in marmosets.