Growth factors :Their Role in growth and development of male and female germ cells

What are the so called “Growth factors “- in the process of spermatogenesis or Folliculogenesis ?  The unanswered questions are “Do they have any role in “unexplained subfertility”? “ Ans:-Not impossible either but the problem is that these growth factors are difficult to estimate in ordinary Lab settings. It is presumable that such Growth factor deficiency is not impossible as a causation of male or female subfertility. This imagination becomes stronger   in the days of ever increasing environmental & food pollution in addition to workplace toxicity.

Point I:-Definition & introduction: Biochemically these are a group of polypeptides, exert actions both on growth & development of any cell ,not limited to germ cell division only. These growth factors have their own separate receptors at the cell surface mm.  Their action and dynamics are like  Vitamins / hormones but they act like by exerting paracrine and autocrine modes

Point 2: Total number of Growth factors identified so far :--In fact there are about 43 Growth  factors that have been identified for cellular growth( increase in size) & cell differentiation ( acquision of functional capacity of any  cells be it somatic or reproductive & development of  coordinating mechanism amongst diff organelle in the cell) .  These are akin to vitamins which are again difficult to estimate in ordinary Lab and its estimations limited to research settings..

Point  3:-Remembering  the Lists of G factors which have so far identified : - :-Ans; IGF-I & II, (action depends on IGF-BP-1 & 2), .Epidermal Growth Factors, transforming Growth factor(TGF) , Fibroblast Growth factor, Platelate derived  Growth factor , Angiogenic Growth factor    ,The Interleukin –I system, Tumour Necrosis Factor-α,  many other peptides, Bone morphometric Factors,  Pro-renin ,  Pro-opio-Melanocortin,  AMH –which is a transforming Growth factor-β family , OMI(oocyte Maturation Inhibitors, Preg Associated Plasma proteins, Endothelin-I, Antral Natriuretic  peptide Inhibin-Activin-Follistatin, Renin angiotensin system, Endogenous opiates GnRH like peptides, Colony stimulating Factors-though mainly synthesized in placenta . I hope you can now recollect and affirm what I  was narrating this morning so long  ,and certainly all these  statements are not hangovers. ,.

Point 4:-Such G Factors are also key proteins in the preg continuation & Rec abortion.

Point 5:-Few points about IGF-II  IGF II is synthesised at locally at Granulosa  cells, theca cells . IGFII  stimulates A) Granulosa cell  proliferation, B) promotes Aromatase activity, C) promotes  Progesterone synthesis . We have to recall that Gonadotrophins stimulates IGF-II   synthesis, so we observe less follicular groeth in WHO anovulation where gonadotrophin ,As a similar in  males Hyopogonadotrophic  disease like Kallmann’s syndrome  there is no or minimal divan of immature or  primary spermatocytes ( sperm cells ) .

Point  6: The FSH is the monitor (Head of the family) which controls  the web & tide of few important  reproductive  growth factors.   FSH makes sure (take the responsibility) :-that free Growth factors are released locally and this autocrine action is auto adjusted  i.e. Follicle  age matched Growth factors are made available to Follicles( like automatic gear of car) .  Human Follicular fluid has maximum conc. of IGF-II.