Integrin alpha6 is involved in follicular growth in mice.

We previously reported that integrin alpha6 is expressed on granulosa cells in the inner layers of the human and porcine ovarian follicles, where granulosa cells have no direct contact with basal lamina. In this study, we examined the physiological role of integrin alpha6 on follicular growth with an immature superovulated mice model using the anti-integrin alpha6 monoclonal antibody, GoH3. In the ovaries of 9- to 20-day-old mice, integrin alpha6 was detected on all the layers of granulosa cells in the primordial, primary, and secondary follicles by immunohistochemistry. The 13-day-old female mice were superovulated by pregnant mare serum gonadotropin and human chorionic gonadotropin with the treatment of intraperitoneal administration of GoH3, or a control antibody, or PBS. In the group of GoH3 treatment, successful ovulation was observed in 57+/-25.7% of the animals, whereas no ovulation was observed in the control groups (p<0.01). These findings indicate that integrin alpha6 is involved in gonadotropin-induced follicular growth.