THE RELEVANCE OF C-MYC TO THE PHYSIOLOGY OF THE HUMAN OVARY

Despite the potential importance of c-myc protein to cell proliferatio n and apoptosis, nothing is known about the contribution of this proto -oncogene to the development of the ovarian follicles in humans. There fore the localization of c-myc in the human ovary was the main aim of this study. Localization of c-myc mRNA in 15 human ovaries was assesse d by in situ hybridization. Atresia of the antral follicles was determ ined by in situ 3'-end labeling of fragmented DNA. Proto-oncogene c-my c was found in all the stages of follicular development except the pri mordial stage. The corpus luteum was also positive for c-myc mRNA. The re was no positive staining for c-myc in either the corpus albicans or the postmenopausal ovary. These data indicate that the expression of c-myc may play a role in the molecular mechanisms of cell proliferatio n and apoptosis in the human ovary.