| Budget Amount *help |
¥4,550,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,050,000)
Fiscal Year 2010: ¥650,000 (Direct Cost: ¥500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥150,000)
Fiscal Year 2009: ¥1,820,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,400,000、Indirect Cost: ¥420,000)
Fiscal Year 2008: ¥2,080,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥480,000)
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| Research Abstract |
We have investigated the BMP system that exists in the mammalian ovary and plays roles in regulating various granulosa cell functions. BMP ligands including BMP-2, -4, -6, -7 and -15 were found to inhibit gondotropin-dependent progesterone synthesis by granulosa cells, which led to the hypothesis that BMPs are a physiological luteinization inhibitor in growing ovarian follicles during the follicular phase of the ovarian cycle. The physiological importance of the BMP system for normal mammalian reproduction has been further recognized by the discovery of antagonistic actions of BMPs to FGF signaling and inhibitory actions of BMPs on prolactin-induced ovarian dysfunctions in our current study. Based on our new findings regarding BMP system in the pituitary, hypothalamus and other tissues, we could expand the understanding of autocrine/paracrine actions of BMPs in the systemic regulation of reproductive endocrine functions.
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