Vasoactive intestinal peptide and its receptors in human ovarian cortical follicles.

Gabbay-Benziv R, Ao A, Fisch B, Zhang L, Oron G, Kessler-Icekson G, Ben-Haroush A, Krissi H, Abir R

PloS one18 May 2012Cited by 4 (Europe PMC)

PMID22623971PMCIDPMC3356394DOI10.1371/journal.pone.0037015PepBankPUB-22623971

Summary

BackgroundOvarian cryopreservation is one option for fertility preservation in patients with cancer. The danger of reseeding malignancies could be eliminated by in vitro maturation of primordial follicles from the frozen-thawed tissue. However, the development of this system is hindered by uncertainties regarding factors that activate primordial follicles. Neuronal growth factors such as vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) play important roles in early mammalian folliculogenesis. There are no data on the expression of VIP and its vasoactive intestinal peptide pituitary adenylate cyclase 1 and 2 receptors (VPAC1-R and VPAC2-R) in human preantral follicles.Methodology/principal findingsTissue samples from 14 human fetal ovaries and 40 ovaries from girls/women were prepared to test for the expression of VIP, VPAC1-R, and VPAC2-R on the protein (immunohistochemisty) and mRNA (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) levels. Immunohistochemistry staining was mostly weak, especially in fetal samples. The VIP protein was identified in oocytes and granulosa cells (GCs) in the fetal samples from 22 gestational weeks (GW) onwards. In girls/women, VIP follicular staining (oocytes and GCs) was identified in 45% of samples. VPAC1-R protein was identified in follicles in all fetal samples from 22GW onwards and in 63% of the samples from girls/women (GC staining only in 40%). VPAC2-R protein was identified in follicles in 33% of fetal samples and 47% of the samples from girls/women. The mRNA transcripts for VIP, VPAC1-R, and VPAC2-R were identified in ovarian extracts from fetuses and women.ConclusionsVIP and its two receptors are expressed in human ovarian preantral follicles. However, their weak staining suggests they have limited roles in early follicular growth. To elucidate if VIP activates human primordial follicles, it should be added to the culture medium.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study3

No result from this study comes from a test of the peptide.

Natural levels measured3

These results measure the body's own peptide. Nobody was given the peptide. They are not evidence about taking it. They are left out of key results, evidence counts and charts.

01HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther
In ovaries from girls and women, VIP follicular staining was identified in 45% of samples.
In plain wordsIn ovaries of girls and women, the body's own VIP was found in follicles in 45% of samples.
Peptide
Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP, aviptadil)
Outcome
Not applicableVIP follicular staining in ovaries of girls and women
Study
n = 40
Outcome group
Endogenous peptide levels · Reproductive and sexual health
Source sentences
Summary
In girls/women, VIP follicular staining (oocytes and GCs) was identified in 45% of samples.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Tissue samples from 14 human fetal ovaries and 40 ovaries from girls/women were prepared to test for the expression of VIP, VPAC1-R, and VPAC2-R on the protein (immunohistochemisty) and mRNA (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) levels.
This result measures the body's own Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP, aviptadil). Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2262397102
02HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther
In 14 human fetal ovaries, VIP protein was identified in oocytes and granulosa cells from 22 gestational weeks onwards.
In plain wordsIn human fetal ovaries, the body's own VIP was found in egg cells and supporting cells from week 22 onwards.
Peptide
Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP, aviptadil)
Outcome
Not applicableVIP protein in fetal ovarian follicles
Study
n = 14
Outcome group
Endogenous peptide levels · Reproductive and sexual health
Source sentences
Summary
The VIP protein was identified in oocytes and granulosa cells (GCs) in the fetal samples from 22 gestational weeks (GW) onwards.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Tissue samples from 14 human fetal ovaries and 40 ovaries from girls/women were prepared to test for the expression of VIP, VPAC1-R, and VPAC2-R on the protein (immunohistochemisty) and mRNA (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) levels.
This result measures the body's own Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP, aviptadil). Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2262397101
03HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther
VIP mRNA transcripts were identified in ovarian extracts from human fetuses and women.
In plain wordsThe genetic message for the body's own VIP was found in human ovarian tissue from fetuses and women.
Peptide
Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP, aviptadil)
Outcome
Not applicableVIP mRNA in ovarian extracts
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Endogenous peptide levels · Reproductive and sexual health
Source sentences
Summary
The mRNA transcripts for VIP, VPAC1-R, and VPAC2-R
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
were identified in ovarian extracts from fetuses and women.
Summary · context
Tissue samples from 14 human fetal ovaries and 40 ovaries from girls/women were prepared to test for the expression of VIP, VPAC1-R, and VPAC2-R on the protein (immunohistochemisty) and mRNA (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) levels.
This result measures the body's own Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP, aviptadil). Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2262397103

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

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Version 2Current
12 Oct 2026, 12:58 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 12:40 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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