# OVARIAN GROWTH FACTORS

> **NIH NIH R01** · PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIV HERSHEY MED CTR · 1994 · $198,129

## Abstract

This proposal addresses the physiological significance of the ovarian
insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system and the more general phenomenon
of ligand targeting in autocrine/paracrine systems.  Information from
this laboratory and others suggests that the ovarian IGF system serves as
a local amplification mechanism for gonadotropin effects and that it may
participate in ovarian follicle selection.  To understand and control
this system, we require more detailed information about the hormonal
regulation of IGF-I secretion, the processing of IGF-I, and its targeting
for autocrine, paracrine, or endocrine effects.  The complex family of
IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) which are abundantly expressed in the
ovary, seem critical to these processes.  To establish the importance of
these components and their interaction, we will use well-characterized
granulosa and theca cell cultures which express and respond to IGFs and
IGFBPs.  The hormonal regulation of their secretion and the nature of the
processed secretory products will be established.  Particular emphasis
will be placed on transcriptional effects of gonadotropins, growth
hormone, gonadal steroids and other ovarian growth factors.  To determine
the relevance of these phenomena to ovarian physiology in vivo, the
expression of these key regulatory proteins will be examined in a
well-characterized porcine model of ovarian follicular development.
Finally, to demonstrate unequivocally the importance of these proteins in
ovarian cell function, we will enhance, diminish, and/or qualitatively
alter their expression in cell culture with anti-sense oligonucleotides
and transfected expression vectors which have been constructed to enhance
or inhibit the secretion of IGF-I and IGFBPs.  Collectively, these
experiments should provide more detailed information about this system
than is currently available in any autocrine system.  Enhancement of
human fertility through stimulation of the ovarian IGFs has already been
demonstrated.  Accordingly, the information and techniques developed in
these studies may have wide applications in health and reproduction.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 2199224
- **Project number:** 5R01HD024565-07
- **Recipient organization:** PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIV HERSHEY MED CTR
- **SAM.gov UEI:** TNKGNDAWB445
- **Principal Investigator:** JAMES M HAMMOND
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1994
- **Award amount:** $198,129
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1988-08-01 → 1996-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/2199224

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 2199224, OVARIAN GROWTH FACTORS (5R01HD024565-07). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/2199224. Licensed CC0.

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