-transparent.png){kind=logo}
We studied the expression of inhibin/activin subunit mRNAs in granulosa-luteal cells of preovulatory ovarian follicles obtained from women undergoing in vitro fertilization, and in corpus luteum tissue samples of early pregnancy. Northern analysis of granulosa-luteal cell and corpus luteum RNA with single-stranded cDNA or cRNA probes revealed an 1.6-kb mRNA for the alpha subunit and about 6.0-, 4.0-, 2.8-, and 1.7-kb transcripts for the beta A subunit. No clear hybridization signal for the beta B subunit could be detected. The relative expression levels of alpha and beta A subunit mRNAs were determined at 2-day intervals in granulosa-luteal cells cultured for 5 to 11 days. The levels of alpha subunit mRNAs declined steadily with increasing culture age, whereas those of beta A remained unchanged. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis with 35 amplification cycles confirmed the expression of alpha and beta A subunit mRNAs in cultured granulosa-luteal cells. The beta B transcripts were also weakly detectable by this sensitive assay. In situ hybridization of human early pregnancy corpus luteum revealed intense hybridization with the alpha cRNA probe and a weaker signal for the beta A subunit in the granulosa cell compartment. We conclude that: (1) the inhibin alpha and beta A subunits (and to a lesser extent beta B) are expressed in cultured human granulosa-luteal cells; (2) during extended culture periods the alpha/beta A mRNA expression ratio decreases; and that (3) the alpha and beta A subunit mRNA expression is observed in the granulosa cell compartment of early pregnancy corpora lutea.
M Erämaa, and
K Heikinheimo, and
T Tuuri, and
K Hildén, and
O Ritvos
April 2001,
Molecular human reproduction,
M Erämaa, and
K Heikinheimo, and
T Tuuri, and
K Hildén, and
O Ritvos
October 1995,
Endocrinology,
M Erämaa, and
K Heikinheimo, and
T Tuuri, and
K Hildén, and
O Ritvos
January 2006,
Journal of assisted reproduction and genetics,
M Erämaa, and
K Heikinheimo, and
T Tuuri, and
K Hildén, and
O Ritvos
November 1996,
Molecular human reproduction,
M Erämaa, and
K Heikinheimo, and
T Tuuri, and
K Hildén, and
O Ritvos
March 2002,
The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism,
M Erämaa, and
K Heikinheimo, and
T Tuuri, and
K Hildén, and
O Ritvos
June 2006,
General and comparative endocrinology,
M Erämaa, and
K Heikinheimo, and
T Tuuri, and
K Hildén, and
O Ritvos
May 1996,
Fertility and sterility,
M Erämaa, and
K Heikinheimo, and
T Tuuri, and
K Hildén, and
O Ritvos
July 1996,
Molecular and cellular endocrinology,
M Erämaa, and
K Heikinheimo, and
T Tuuri, and
K Hildén, and
O Ritvos
August 2000,
Molecular human reproduction,
M Erämaa, and
K Heikinheimo, and
T Tuuri, and
K Hildén, and
O Ritvos
January 1990,
American journal of obstetrics and gynecology,
