IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL LOCALIZATION OF TRANSFORMING GROWTH-FACTOR-ALPHA,EPIDERMAL GROWTH-FACTOR (EGF), AND EGF RECEPTOR IN THE HUMAN FETAL OVARY

Peptide growth factors are thought to be involved in adult ovarian reg ulatory functions. However, little is known about the role of growth f actors in human fetal ovarian development. This study is an attempt to identify and localize transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF alpha), e pidermal growth factor (EGF), and EGF receptor (EGF-R) in human fetal ovaries. Ovaries were obtained from first and second trimester electiv e abortuses. Immunohistochemistry was performed on paraffin sections o f these specimens after fixation. We examined the sections microscopic ally using the specific antibodies against TGF alpha, EGF, and EGF-R. Phosphate-buffered saline and preimmune IgG were used as negative cont rols. First and second trimester ovaries stained positively for all th ree proteins. Staining was significantly more intense in the oocytes t han in the stroma. Negative controls did not stain. These results comb ined with our previous demonstration of messenger ribonucleic acid for these growth factors suggest roles for TGF alpha, EGF, and EGF-R in h uman fetal ovarian development. The strong staining in the oocytes sug gests a possible autocrine or paracrine role of these growth factors i n human oocyte growth in, utero.