Effects of epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor alpha and androstenedione on follicular growth and aromatization in culture.

The effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha) and androstenedione on follicular growth and oestradiol production were studied in cultured mouse preantral follicles. Cultured follicles in the control group showed growth and steroidogenic capacities up to the antral follicle stage at day 4 of culture. However, many of these follicles failed to resume their growth during the culture.