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Granulosa Cell Endothelin-2 Expression Is Fundamental For Ovulatory Follicle Rupture, Joseph A. Cacioppo, Po-Ching Patrick Lin, Patrick R. Hannon, Daniel R. Mcdougle, Arnon Gal, Chemyong Ko

Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Publications

Ovulation is dependent upon numerous factors mediating follicular growth, vascularization, and ultimately oocyte release via follicle rupture. Endothelin-2 (EDN2) is a potent vasoconstrictor that is transiently produced prior to follicle rupture by granulosa cells of periovulatory follicles and induces ovarian contraction. To determine the role of Edn2 expression, surgical transplant and novel conditional knockout mice were super-ovulated and analyzed. Conditional knockout mice utilized a new iCre driven by the Esr2 promoter to selectively remove Edn2. Follicle rupture and fertility were significantly impaired in the absence of ovarian Edn2 expression. When ovaries of Edn2KO mice were transplanted in wild type …