Growth Differentiation Factor 9,Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15 and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Growth differentiation factor 9(GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15(BMP15) are two members of transforming growth factor β(TGFβ) family.In ovary,GDF9 and BMP15 are principally expressed in oocyte and granulosa cell.They regulate multiple functions of granulosa cells by paracrine pathway.These two factors have been shown to take part in the whole process of folliculogenesis,including the formation and progressive growth of the follicles,and ovulation.In addition,they regulate the function of corpus luteum.Their dysfunction may lead to various disorders of follicular development.Polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) is typical disorder of follicular development,which has been suggested to be related to the abnormal local ovarian factors.In this review,the molecular structure and expression pattern of GDF9 and BMP15,and their roles in the folliculogenesis,were analyzed.Then the pathopysiological roles of GDF9 and BMP15 in PCOS were discussed.It may improve our understanding of female reproduction and the mechanism of aberrant folliculogenesis in PCOS.