GROWTH-FACTORS AND OVARIAN-FUNCTION - THE IGF-I PARADIGM

The large body of information now supports the existence of an intraovarian IGF system replete with ligands, receptors, and binding proteins. The intraovarian IGF system is most likely concerned with the amplification of gonadotropin hormonal action, other potential regulatory roles remaining speculative at this time. There is every reason to believe that work in this area in the upcoming several years will yield new insight necessary to establish whether or not IGFs are truly indispensable to ovarian function. At this time, this ultimate requirement remains to be demonstrated through selective ablation of ovarian IGF-I gene expression and the examination of the impact of such manipulation on reproductive potential.