Research Article

The Effects of Ovarian Activators, Follicle Stimulating Hormone, and Activin A on Estradiol and Prostaglandin Secretion

Volume: 12 Number: 1 April 21, 2026
EN TR

The Effects of Ovarian Activators, Follicle Stimulating Hormone, and Activin A on Estradiol and Prostaglandin Secretion

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: The ovarian follicle culture technique is the in vitro development process of an ovulatory follicle with a developmentally competent oocyte, starting from the primordial follicle. The culture of the ovarian follicles aims to preserve fertility through proper isolation and storage of the ovarian cortex, especially before the cancer treatments. This study aimed to observe the effect of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and/or activin A on estradiol (E2) and prostaglandin (PGE2) secretion in bovine ovarian cortical strip culture system. Methods: Ovarian cortical strips from heifers were cultured in the presence of rhFSH (50 ng/mL), rhAct A (100 ng/mL), or a combination of these factors for 6 days. The culture media were collected and stored. The levels of estradiol and prostaglandin were determined by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Results: In the group cultured in the presence of Act A (100 ng/mL), a noticeable increase was observed in both E2 and PGE2 values compared to the other groups. This increase was significant. There was also an insignificant increase in PGE2 values in the FSH group compared to the control and FSH + Act A groups. Conclusions: The results of this study reveal changes in E2 and PGE2 secretions in ovarian follicle culture medium supplemented with activin A or FSH. In particular, activin A alone was observed to be significantly more effective in these secretions.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Akdeniz University

Project Number

TSA-2017-2351

Ethical Statement

The experimental protocol was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Akdeniz University, Turkey (27.10.2025-1355422).

References

  1. 1 Woodruff TK. The emergence of a new interdiscipline: Oncofertility. Cancer Treat Res 2007;138:3-11.
  2. 2 Oktem O, Oktay K. Quantitative assessment of the impact of chemotherapy on ovarian follicle reserve and stromal function. Cancer 2007;110:2222-9.
  3. 3 Duncan FE, Jozefik JK, Kim AM, Hirshfeld-Cytron J, Woodruff TK. The gynecologist has a unique role in providing oncofertility care to young cancer patients. US Obstet Gynecol 2011;6:24-34.
  4. 4 Eppig JJ, O'Brien MJ. Development in vitro of mouse oocytes from primordial follicles. Biol Reprod 1996;54:197-207.
  5. 5 Wandji SA, Eppig JJ, Fortune JE. Fsh and growth factors affect the growth and endocrine function in vitro of granulosa cells of bovine preantral follicles. Theriogenology 1996;45:817-32.
  6. 6 Braw-Tal R, Yossefi S. Studies in vivo and in vitro on the initiation of follicle growth in the bovine ovary. J Reprod Fertil 1997;109:165-71.
  7. 7 Wandji SA, Srsen V, Nathanielsz PW, Eppig JJ, Fortune JE. Initiation of growth of baboon primordial follicles in vitro. Hum Reprod 1997;12:1993-2001.
  8. 8 Albertini DF, Akkoyunlu G. Ovarian follicle culture systems for mammals. Methods Enzymol 2010;476:107-21.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Histology and Embryology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

April 21, 2026

Submission Date

January 6, 2026

Acceptance Date

March 18, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 12 Number: 1

Vancouver
1.Mehmet Doğan, Filiz Tepekoy, Gökhan Akkoyunlu. The Effects of Ovarian Activators, Follicle Stimulating Hormone, and Activin A on Estradiol and Prostaglandin Secretion. Akd Med J. 2026 Apr. 1;12(1). doi:10.53394/akd.1769222