Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd 2014; 74 - FV_01_08
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1388543

Variable FMR1 gene expression in human granulosa cells depending on FSH stimulation

D Alcoba 1, 2, J Dietrich 3, I Brum 1, T Strowitzki 3, P Vogt 2, J Rehnitz 2
  • 1Department of Physiology – Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
  • 2Sektion für Reproduktionsgenetik, Abt. für Gynäkologische Endokrinologie und Fertilitätsstörungen, Universitätsfrauenklinik, Heidelberg, Germany
  • 3Abt. für Gynäkologische Endokrinologie und Fertilitätsstörungen, Universitätsfrauenklinik, Heidelberg, Germany

Introduction: The FMR1 gene (Fragile X Mental Retardation 1) and its protein (FMRP) are expressed in granulosa cells of human folliculogenesis probably involved in translation control during oocyte maturation. FSH is an important factor to stimulate granulosa cell proliferation/differentiation at antral phase.

Question of the study: Pilot study aimed to evaluate gene expression of FMR1 in primary granulosa cell cultures in comparison to a granulosa cellular model system (COV4343) whether depending on FSH stimulation.

Material and methods: RNA from luteinized granulosa cells (after ovarian puncture by IVF techniques) and COV434 cell line was extracted and cDNA was synthesized for the FMR1-TaqMan-Assay.

Tab. 1: Material and Methods – treatment groups

Granulosa cells

Primary culture (PC)

Control

FSH (1 I.U./mL)

COV 434

Control

FSH (0.07 I.U./mL)

Results: We found variable FMR1 gene expression in PC and COV after cellular FSH admission.

Fig. 1: Results

Discussion: Our data show that FSH admission reduced FMR1 gene expression in PC, but not in COV. This suggests some gonadotropin repressor effect of FMR1 expression in native granulosa cells. Further studies are needed to confirm this effect.