Fibroblast growth factors from bovine pituitary and human placenta and their functions in the maturation of porcine granulosa cells in vitro.

Both acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are present in pituitary, as demonstrated by Affigel-heparin affinity chromatography and immunoblot analysis. Unlike in the pituitary, only basic FGF appears to be present in human placenta. The purification of these growth factors from bovine pituitary and human placenta has been described. Immunoblot analysis using polyclonal antibodies specific for either basic FGF or both acidic and basic FGF have verified the results of purification. We have determined a novel function of acidic and basic FGF in the maturation of porcine granulosa cells in vitro. Basic FGF (1.0 ng/ml), purified from bovine pituitary functioned as a potent inhibitor of LH/hCG receptor induction (91 +/- 1.2%; P less than 0.0001), and progesterone secretion (45 +/- 2.9%; P less than 0.0001), two key steps in the maturation of granulosa cells. Human placental basic FGF demonstrated comparable inhibition characteristics. Bovine pituitary acidic FGF (50 ng/ml) appear to function as a relatively weak inhibitor (63.5 +/- 5.1% for LH/hCG receptor induction; 50 +/- 1.8% for progesterone secretion). Consequently, our analysis indicates that FGF may play an important role(s) in the maturation of ovarian granulosa cells.