Grant: Operating Grant

The ovary serves two prime functions: production of egg needed for specie propagation and hormone biosynthesis important for (i) the auto-regulation of growth and function of the function unit of the ovary (known as the follicle), (ii) expression of female sex characteristics with the onset of puberty, and (iii) preparation of the uterus for implantation of the fertilized egg, pregnancy and birth. The growth and degeneration (atresia) of an ovarian follicle are complex processes involving the coordinated actions and interactions of brain sex hormones (gonadotropins), intra-ovarian regulators and substances secreted from fat cells (adipokines). Although recent investigations on regulation of the ovary by gonadotropins have led to their direct application in the treatment of infertility, information concerning how these regulators regulate the growth of the follicle at the cellular is limited. The overall objective of the proposed research program is to examine how these regulators control of follicular development and atresia as well as how dysregulation of these regulatory mechanisms leads to polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a multifactoral reproductive and metabolic disorder that accounts of 75% of all anovulatory infertility. These studies will provide a better understanding of the pathophysiology of PCOS as well as new strategies for its treatment.