Context: Human granulosa cells (hGCs) produce and respond to insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) but whether the oocyte participates in IGF2 regulation in humans is unknown.
Objective: To determine the role of oocyte-secreted factors (OSFs) such as growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) in IGF2 production by hGCs.
Design: Primary human cumulus GCs in culture.
Context: The role of growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) on aromatase regulation is poorly understood in humans.
Objective: Determine GDF9 and BMP15 effects on FSH stimulation of estradiol production in primary human cumulus granulosa cells (GCs). We hypothesized that the combination of GDF9 and BMP15 potentiates FSH-induced aromatase expression.