Recombinant epidermal growth factor maintains follicular ultrastructure and promotes the transition to primary follicles in caprine ovarian tissue cultured in vitro.

We investigated the effects of epidermal growth factor on the survival and growth of caprine preantral follicles. Ovarian fragments were cultured for 1 and 7 days in enriched minimal essential medium with epidermal growth factor (0, 1, 10, 50, 100, or 200 ng/mL). Non-cultured and cultured tissues were processed for histological and ultrastructural studies. Results showed that after 7 days, the epidermal growth factor (1 and 10 ng/mL) maintained the percentage of normal follicles similar to control. An increase in the percentage of primary follicles was observed with 1, 10, and 50 ng/mL of epidermal growth factor compared to enriched minimal essential medium. Ultrastructural studies confirmed follicular integrity after 7 days in epidermal growth factor (1 and 10 ng/mL). In conclusion, the low concentrations of epidermal growth factor maintain caprine follicular viability and promote the transition from primordial to primary follicles.