Search for neutral supersymmetric Higgs bosons in pp collisions at sqrt[s] = 1.8TeV

We present the results of a search for neutral Higgs bosons produced in association with b quarks in pp-->bb(phi)-->bbb final states with 91+/-7 pb(-1) of pp collisions at sqrt[s] = 1.8 TeV recorded by the Collider Detector at Fermilab. We find no evidence of such a signal and the data are interpreted in the context of the neutral Higgs sector of the minimal supersymmetric extension of the standard model. With basic parameter choices for the supersymmetric scale and the stop-quark mixing, we derive 95% C.L. lower mass limits for neutral Higgs bosons for tan(beta) values in excess of 35.

The role of leptin in the transition from fetus to neonate

Leptin is a 16 kDa hormone which has been shown to have a major physiological role in the control of energy balance. Leptin is produced primarily in white adipose tissue, although there is evidence for its production in brown adipose tissue (BAT) and the placenta. BAT is critically important for the initiation of non-shivering thermogenesis in the newborn through the BAT-specific uncoupling protein (UCP), UCPI. This factor is particularly important in lambs in which levels of UCP1 peak at birth, concomitant with a rapid decline in plasma leptin levels. Our studies have examined the effect of acute and chronic administration of leptin to neonatal lambs, investigating effects on colonic temperature, UCP1 and thermogenic potential of BAT. Administration of leptin in sequential physiological doses of 10, 100 and 100 microg to neonatal lambs caused a modest increase in colonic temperature which was not observed in weight-matched vehicle-treated controls. This increase in colonic temperature was not mediated by an increase in either abundance or thermogenic potential of UCPI, as previously shown in adult rodents. UCP1 mRNA levels were 30 % lower in leptin-treated lambs, which is also contradictory to findings in adult rodents. Leptin treatment resulted in a dose-dependent rise in plasma leptin, with levels at the end of the study being almost twenty times greater in leptin-treated animals. To determine whether these findings in neonatal lambs were transient due to the complex milieu of hormones present after birth, we examined the effect of chronic leptin treatment over 6 d. Pairs of lambs were treated daily, from the second to seventh day of life with 100 microg leptin or vehicle. Colonic temperatures of leptin- and vehicle-treated animals remained similar throughout the study. UCP1 abundance was significantly lower in the leptin-treated animals, suggesting that the drop in UCP1 mRNA seen in the previous study had been translated to protein levels. In conclusion, the decline in plasma leptin levels at birth may be a signal to initiate enteral feeding. In lambs, the rapid loss of UCP1 mRNA, which occurs within the first few days of life, appears to be accelerated by leptin administration, possibly stimulating the development of white adipose tissue and generation of body heat through mechanisms other than non-shivering thermogenesis by UCP1 in BAT.

Production of chi(c1) and chi(c2) in pp collisions at sqrt[S] = 1.8 TeV

We have measured the ratio of prompt production rates of the charmonium states chi(c1) and chi(c2) in 110 pb(-1) of pp collisions at sqrt[s] = 1.8 TeV. The photon from their decay into J/psi(gamma) is reconstructed through conversion into e+e- pairs. The energy resolution this technique provides makes the resolution of the two states possible. We find the ratio of production cross sections sigma(chi(c2))/sigma(chi(c1)) = 0.96+/-0.27(stat)+/-0.11(syst) for events with pT(J/psi) > 4.0 GeV/c, /eta(J/psi)/ < 0.6, and pT(gamma) > 1.0 GeV/c.

First measurement of the ratio B(t --> Wb)/B(t --> Wq) and associated limit on the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa element /V(tb)/

We present the first measurement of the ratio of branching fractions R identical withB(t-->Wb)/B(t-->Wq) from p_p collisions at sqrt[s] = 1.8 TeV. The data set corresponds to 109 pb(-1) of data recorded by the Collider Detector at Fermilab during the 1992-95 Tevatron run. We measure R = 0.94(+0.31)(-0.24)(stat+syst) or R>0.61 (0.56) at 90% (95)% C.L., in agreement with the standard model predictions. This measurement yields a limit on the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa quark mixing matrix element /V(tb)/ under the assumption of three generations and unitarity.

Expression and functional characterization of a Plasmodium falciparum Ca2+-ATPase (PfATP4) belonging to a subclass unique to apicomplexan organisms

We have obtained a full-length P type ATPase sequence (PfATP4) encoded by Plasmodium falciparum and expressed PfATP4 in Xenopus laevis oocytes to study its function. Comparison of the hitherto incomplete open reading frame with other Ca(2+)-ATPase sequences reveals that PfATP4 differs significantly from previously defined categories. The Ca(2+)-dependent ATPase activity of PfATP4 is stimulated by a much broader range of [Ca(2+)](free) (3.2-320 micrometer) than are an avian SERCA1 pump or rabbit SERCA 1a (maximal activity < 10 micrometer). The activity of PfATP4 is resistant to inhibition by ouabain (200 micrometer) or thapsigargin (0.8 micrometer) but is inhibited by vanadate (1 mM) or cyclopiazonic acid (1 microM). We used a quantitative polymerase chain reaction to assay expression of mRNA encoding PfATP4 relative to that for beta-tubulin in synchronized asexual stages and found variable expression throughout the life cycle with a maximal 5-fold increase in meronts compared with ring stages. This analysis suggests that PfATP4 defines a novel subclass of Ca(2+)-ATPases unique to apicomplexan organisms and therefore offers potential as a drug target.

Expression of mRNA encoding insulin-like growth factors I and II and the type 1 IGF receptor in the bovine corpus luteum at defined stages of the oestrous cycle

Previous studies have implicated insulin-like growth factors I and II (IGF-I and -II), in the regulation of ovarian function. The present study investigated the localization of mRNA encoding IGF-I and -II and the type 1 IGF receptor using in situ hybridization to determine further the roles of the IGFs within the bovine corpus luteum at precise stages of the oestrous cycle. Luteal expression of mRNA encoding IGF-I and -II and the type 1 IGF receptor was detected throughout the oestrous cycle. The expression of IGF-I mRNAvaried significantly during the oestrous cycle. IGF-I mRNA concentrations were significantly higher on day 15 than on day 10, and IGF-I mRNA in the regressing corpus luteum at 48 h after administration of exogenous prostaglandin was significantly greater than in the early or mid-luteal phase (days 5 and 10). In contrast, there was no significant effect of day of the oestrous cycle on expression of mRNA for IGF-II and the type 1 IGF receptor in the corpus luteum. Expression of IGF-II mRNA was localized to a subset of steroidogenic luteal cells and was also associated with cells of the luteal vasculature. mRNA encoding the type 1 IGF receptor was widely expressed in a pattern indicative of expression in large and small luteal cells. These data demonstrate that the bovine corpus luteum is a site of IGF production and reception throughout the luteal phase. Furthermore, this study highlights the potential of IGF-II in addition to IGF-I in the autocrine and paracrine regulation of luteal function.

Expression of mRNA encoding insulin-like growth factors I and II and the type 1 IGF receptor in the bovine corpus luteum at defined stages of the oestrous cycle

Previous studies have implicated insulin-like growth factors I and II (IGF-I and -II), in the regulation of ovarian function. The present study investigated the localization of mRNA encoding IGF-I and -II and the type 1 IGF receptor using in situ hybridization to determine further the roles of the IGFs within the bovine corpus luteum at precise stages of the oestrous cycle. Luteal expression of mRNA encoding IGF-I and -II and the type 1 IGF receptor was detected throughout the oestrous cycle. The expression of IGF-I mRNAvaried significantly during the oestrous cycle. IGF-I mRNA concentrations were significantly higher on day 15 than on day 10, and IGF-I mRNA in the regressing corpus luteum at 48 h after administration of exogenous prostaglandin was significantly greater than in the early or mid-luteal phase (days 5 and 10). In contrast, there was no significant effect of day of the oestrous cycle on expression of mRNA for IGF-II and the type 1 IGF receptor in the corpus luteum. Expression of IGF-II mRNA was localized to a subset of steroidogenic luteal cells and was also associated with cells of the luteal vasculature. mRNA encoding the type 1 IGF receptor was widely expressed in a pattern indicative of expression in large and small luteal cells. These data demonstrate that the bovine corpus luteum is a site of IGF production and reception throughout the luteal phase. Furthermore, this study highlights the potential of IGF-II in addition to IGF-I in the autocrine and paracrine regulation of luteal function.

Measurement of J/psi and psi(2S) polarization in pp collisions at sqrt[s] = 1.8 TeV

We have measured the polarization of J/psi and psi(2S) mesons produced in pp collisions at sqrt[s] = 1.8 TeV, using data collected at the Collider Detector at Fermilab during 1992-1995. The polarization of promptly produced J/psi [psi(2S)] mesons is isolated from those produced in B-hadron decay, and measured over the kinematic range 4 [5.5]<P(T)<20 GeV/c and |y|<0.6. For P(T) greater than or approximately equal 12 GeV/c we do not observe significant polarization in the prompt component.

Nitrogen metabolism and fertility in cattle: II. Development of oocytes recovered from heifers offered diets differing in their rate of nitrogen release in the rumen

In vitro blastocyst production was determined for oocytes recovered postmortem from 48 beef x dairy heifers offered low (Low NH3) or high (High NH3) plasma ammonia-generating diets during the period of late antral follicle development. Following the establishment of a reference estrus (d 0), the experimental diets were offered for an 18-d period starting on d 3 and during which a second estrus was induced (d 16) 4 d before the animals were slaughtered. Blood samples collected at varying intervals were analyzed for ammonia, urea, progesterone, and LH. Ovarian folliculogenesis was monitored daily by transrectal ultrasonography. Ovaries were collected at slaughter and cumulus-oocyte complexes were aspirated from small (1 to 4 mm) and medium-sized (> 4 to 8 mm) sized follicles. In vitro-matured and -fertilized putative d-1 zygotes were cultured for a further 7 d in vitro and embryo development and metabolism were assessed. Relative to the low-NH3-generating diet, the high-NH3-generating diet increased peak postprandial levels of plasma ammonia (326.1 +/- 43.3 vs 52.1 +/- 7.4 micromol/L; P < .001), mean levels of plasma urea (7.0 vs 5.7 mmol/L; SED = .2; P < .001), peak levels of plasma progesterone prior to induced luteolysis (8.9 +/- .4 vs 6.8 +/- .3 microg/L; P < .001), and follicular fluid levels of ammonia (267 +/- 18 vs 205 +/- 20 nmol/mL; P < .05) and progesterone (351 +/- 69 vs 199 +/- 26 ng/mL; P < .05). The timing and level of the preovulatory LH surge was not affected by dietary treatment. Of oocytes cultured, cleavage (47.4 vs 62.4%; P = .02) and blastocyst production (10.9 vs 20.6%; P = .06) rates were reduced when the oocytes were derived from heifers offered the high- rather than the low-NH3-generating diets. There were interactions between dietary treatment and follicle size class, which indicated that fewer blastocysts were produced from cleaved oocytes derived from medium-sized follicles of heifers offered the high-NH3 treatment but that de novo protein synthesis was increased in such embryos. In conclusion, exposure to high levels of ammonia and(or) urea in vivo can significantly compromise the subsequent capacity of oocytes to develop to blastocysts in vitro, and oocytes recovered from medium-sized follicles are particularly sensitive to this effect.

Search for new particles decaying to t&tmacr; in p&pmacr; collisions at radicals = 1.8 TeV

We use 106 pb (-1) of data collected with the Collider Detector at Fermilab to search for narrow-width, vector particles decaying to a top and an antitop quark. Model independent upper limits on the cross section for narrow, vector resonances decaying to t&tmacr; are presented. At the 95% confidence level, we exclude the existence of a leptophobic Z' boson in a model of top-color-assisted technicolor with mass M(Z')<480 GeV/c(2) for natural width gamma = 0.012M(Z'), and M(Z')<780 GeV/c(2) for gamma = 0.04M(Z').

Anti-mesothelial markers in sarcomatoid mesothelioma and other spindle cell neoplasms

AIMS

To undertake a comparative evaluation of three antimesothelial markers (thrombomodulin, cytokeratin 5/6 and calretinin) with broad spectrum cytokeratin (AE1/AE3) in differentiating between sarcomatoid mesothelioma and a spectrum of spindle cell neoplasms.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Thirty-one malignant sarcomatoid mesotheliomas were studied. Calretinin expression was focally identified in 12 (39%) tumours and thrombomodulin and cytokeratin 5/6 immunoreactivity was seen in nine (29%) cases. In comparison there was strong diffuse cytoplasmic reactivity with the broad spectrum cytokeratin (AE1/AE3) in 24 of 31 (77%) tumours. Thirty mixed spindle cells neoplasms were studied. No calretinin expression was identified in any case. Thrombomodulin immunoreactivity was identified in four (16%) cases (two angiosarcomas, two high-grade sarcomas, not otherwise specified). Cytokeratin 5/6 expression was seen in one high-grade pulmonary sarcoma originally termed malignant fibrous histiocytoma. None of the antimesothelial markers was expressed in the four spindle cell carcinomas studied. In contrast, broad spectrum cytokeratin was diffusely expressed in all four spindle cell carcinomas (three pulmonary, one renal), both synovial sarcomas, both malignant mixed Müllerian tumours, one of three pulmonary leiomyosarcomas and two of nine sarcomas, not otherwise specified.

CONCLUSIONS

Immunohistochemistry has a more limited role in the diagnosis and distinction of sarcomatoid mesothelioma from other spindle cell neoplasms. The combination of a broad spectrum cytokeratin with calretinin combines both high sensitivity (77% for AE1/AE3) with high specificity (100% for calretinin) for sarcomatoid mesothelioma and can be diagnostically useful. The mesothelial markers, thrombomodulin and cytokeratin 5/6, are not useful alone in the diagnosis of sarcomatoid mesothelioma as each shows insufficient antibody sensitivity, although together they complement calretinin.

Limits on light gravitino production and new processes with large missing transverse energy in p&pmacr; collisions at sqrt

Events collected by the Collider Detector at Fermilab (CDF) with an energetic jet plus large missing transverse energy can be used to search for physics beyond the standard model. We see no deviations from the expected backgrounds and set upper limits on the production of new processes. We consider in addition the production of light gravitinos and set a limit at 95% confidence level on the breaking scale sqrt[F]>/=217 GeV, which excludes gravitino masses smaller than 1.1x10(-5) eV/c(2).

Description of a presumptive hepatopancreatic reovirus, and a putative gill parvovirus, in the freshwater crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus

The redclaw freshwater crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus has a reputation for being hardy and resistant to handling stress. However, in recent years, possibly since 1996, C. quadricarinatus farmers in northern Queensland have noted a decrease in stress resistance in their stock. A presumptive reovirus in the hepatopancreas, and a putative parvovirus in the gills, were associated with chronic mortalities in C. quadricarinatus at one northern Queensland farm. Hypertrophic nuclei with marginated chromatin were observed in gill epithelium in moribund crayfish which had recently been relocated to a laboratory from the holding tank facility on the farm. Affected nuclei appeared to be vacant or contained a faint granular basophilia in H&E stained sections. However, toluidine blue staining revealed a homogeneously granular appearance of the nuclei. Transmission electron microscopy revealed approximately 20 nm diameter virus-like particles within the nucleus. Eosinophilic, Feulgen-negative, cytoplasmic inclusions were observed in distal hepatopancreatocytes in 1 moribund C. quadricarinatus collected from the same on-farm holding tank approximately 6 mo later. This crayfish did not display the gill lesions. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the inclusions contained icosahedral virus particles 35 to 40 nm in diameter. The histopathology and preliminary virus morphology of the presumptive hepatopancreatic reovirus, and the histopathology, ultrastructural pathology and preliminary virus morphology of the putative gill parvovirus, are reported herein.

Search for scalar top and scalar bottom quarks in pp collisions at square root s=1.8 TeV

We have searched for direct pair production of scalar top and scalar bottom quarks in 88 pb-1 of pp collisions at sqrt[s]=1.8 TeV with the CDF detector. We looked for events with a pair of heavy flavor jets and missing energy, consistent with scalar top (bottom) quark decays to a charm (bottom) quark and a neutralino. The numbers of events that pass our selections show no significant deviation from standard model expectations. We compare our results to the next-to-leading order scalar quark production cross sections to exclude regions in scalar quark-neutralino mass parameter space.

Search for a W' boson via the decay mode W'-->munumu in 1.8 TeV pp collisions

We report the results of a search for a W' boson produced in pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 1.8 TeV using a 107 pb-1 data sample recorded by the Collider Detector at Fermilab. We consider the decay channel W'-->&munumu and search for anomalous production of high transverse mass munumu lepton pairs. We observe no excess of events above background and set limits on the rate of W' boson production and decay relative to standard model W boson production and decay using a fit of the transverse mass distribution observed. If we assume standard model strength couplings of the W' boson to quark and lepton pairs, we exclude a W' boson with invariant mass less than 660 GeV/c2 at 95% confidence level.

Diffractive dijets with a leading antiproton in &pmacr;p collisions at sqrt

We report results from a study of events with a leading antiproton of beam momentum fraction 0.905<x(F)<0.965 and 4-momentum transfer squared |t|<3 GeV2 produced in &pmacr;p collisions at sqrt[s] = 1800 GeV at the Fermilab Tevatron collider. Approximately 2% of the events contain two jets of transverse energy E(jet)(T)>7 GeV. Using the dijet events, we evaluate the diffractive structure function of the antiproton and compare it with expectations based on results obtained in diffractive deep inelastic scattering experiments at the DESY ep collider HERA.

Ovarian autografts in sheep as a model for studying folliculogenesis

The studies outlined in this review indicate that the cortical autograft, in addition to its clinical application as a means to restore fertility, represents a valuable experimental model that can be exploited to examine aspects of both early and terminal follicle development. The autograft procedure is a means to experimentally deplete the follicle population in an individual and this procedure results in similar endocrine changes and reproductive cycle perturbances as those observed in aged sheep and women with incipient ovarian failure. This methodology therefore represents a non-primate large animal model to study the consequences of, and possible interventions to overcome, reproductive problems associated with depleted ovarian follicular reserves. Without the necessity of keeping animals for large periods of time so that this depletion can occur naturally. In terms of early follicle development, the fact that the ischaemia that occurs during revascularisation of the autograft effectively synchronises follicle development at the primordial stages of development means that the autograft can be used as a model to study the control of early follicle development. This model has been used to examine the role of FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) in the control of early follicle development and the preliminary data presented provides strong evidence that FSH does indeed modulate early folliculogenesis, confirming the value of this model as a means of performing experimental investigations in this area. Further work using this model will concentrate on the role of other endocrine and local factors in the control of early folliculogenesis and the identification of the key developmental checkpoints during this process, with a view to designing physiological culture systems to support early follicle and oocyte development.

Growth and antrum formation of bovine preantral follicles in long-term culture in vitro

Culture of preantral follicles has important biotechnological implications through its potential to produce large quantities of oocytes for embryo production and transfer. A long-term culture system for bovine preantral follicles is described. Bovine preantral follicles (166 +/- 2.15 micrometer), surrounded by theca cells, were isolated from ovarian cortical slices. Follicles were cultured under conditions known to maintain granulosa cell viability in vitro. The effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, FSH, and coculture with bovine granulosa cells on preantral follicle growth were analyzed. Follicle and oocyte diameter increased significantly (P < 0.05) with time in culture. FSH, IGF-I, and EGF stimulated (P < 0.05) follicle growth rate but had no effect on oocyte growth. Coculture with granulosa cells inhibited FSH/IGF-I-stimulated growth. Most follicles maintained their morphology throughout culture, with the presence of a thecal layer and basement membrane surrounding the granulosa cells. Antrum formation, confirmed by confocal microscopy, occurred between Days 10 and 28 of culture. The probability of follicles reaching antrum development was 0.19 for control follicles. The addition of growth factors or FSH increased (P < 0.05) the probability of antrum development to 0.55. Follicular growth appeared to be halted by slower growth of the basement membrane, as growing follicles occasionally burst the basement membrane, extruding their granulosa cells. In conclusion, a preantral follicle culture system in which follicle morphology can be maintained for up to 28 days has been developed. In this system, FSH, EGF, and IGF-I stimulated follicle growth and enhanced antrum formation. This culture system may provide a valuable approach for studying the regulation of early follicular development and for production of oocytes for nuclear/embryo transfer, but further work is required.

Expression of mRNA encoding IGF-I, IGF-II and type 1 IGF receptor in bovine ovarian follicles

IGFs regulate gonadotrophin-stimulated proliferation and differentiation of granulosa and theca cells in vitro. However, the detailed pattern of mRNA expression of IGFs in bovine follicles remains controversial. The objectives of this study were therefore to describe the temporal and spatial pattern of expression of mRNA encoding IGF-I, IGF-II and the type 1 IGF receptor in bovine follicles in vivo. The expression of mRNA encoding IGF-II was detected in theca tissue from around the time of antrum formation up to and during the development of dominance. No IGF-II mRNA expression was detected in granulosa cells. In the majority of follicles we were unable to detect mRNA encoding IGF-I in either granulosa or theca tissue from follicles at any stage of development. Occasionally low amounts of mRNA encoding IGF-I were detected in the theca externa and connective tissue surrounding some follicles. Type 1 IGF receptor mRNA was detected in both granulosa and theca cells of preantral and antral follicles. Expression was greater in granulosa tissue compared with theca tissue. We also measured IGF-I and -II mRNA in total RNA isolated from cultured granulosa and theca cells using reverse transcriptase PCR. In contrast to the in vivo results, IGF-II mRNA was detected in both granulosa and theca tissue. IGF-I mRNA was detected in theca tissue and in very low amounts in granulosa cells. Using a specific IGF-I RIA we were unable to detect IGF-I immunoreactivity in granulosa conditioned cell culture media. Using immunohistochemistry we detected IGF-I immunoreactivity in some blood vessels within the ovarian stroma. We conclude from these results that IGF-II is the principal intrafollicular IGF ligand regulating the growth of bovine antral follicles. In preantral follicles the expression of mRNA encoding type 1 IGF receptor but absence of endogenous IGF-I or -II mRNA expression, highlights a probable endocrine mechanism for the IGF regulation of preantral follicle growth.

An analysis of excess mortality not predicted to occur by APACHE III in an Australian level III intensive care unit

The APACHE III derived standardized mortality ratio has been suggested as a statistic to measure intensive care unit (ICU) effectiveness. From 1991 data collected on 519 consecutive admissions to the Royal Adelaide Hospital ICU a standardized mortality ratio of 1.25 was calculated. Of the 174 deaths only 95 had a prediction of death greater than 0.5. As part of a quality assurance study we undertook a retrospective case note audit to try to identify factors that were associated with the low mortality prediction (< 0.5) in hospital deaths. Firstly we analysed the patient population that died to determine the factors that were different between patients who had a mortality prediction of greater than 0.5 versus those who had a mortality prediction of less than 0.5. Next we analysed the patient population with a mortality prediction of less than 0.5 and compared actual survivors with patients who died in hospital. Amongst low mortality prediction patients admitted to the Royal Adelaide Hospital ICU we identified age, a history of acute myocardial infarction, presentation to ICU after a cardiac arrest or with an elevated creatinine and the development of acute renal failure and septicaemia during the ICU admission as being associated with in-hospital mortality. We also documented that late hospital deaths on the ward after ICU discharge occurred more frequently with low predicted hospital mortality ICU patients. Factors other than the APACHE III score may be associated with hospital deaths of ICU patients.

Molecular mechanisms regulating follicular recruitment and selection

Ovarian follicular growth and development is an integrated process encompassing both extraovarian signals, such as gonadotrophins and metabolic hormones, and intraovarian factors. Follicular development has been classified into gonadotrophin-independent and -dependent phases. In the latter, FSH provides the primary drive for follicular recruitment and LH is required for continued development of follicles to the preovulatory stage. A transient increase in circulating FSH precedes the recruitment of a group of follicles, and these recruited follicles are characterized by expression of mRNAs encoding P450scc and P450arom in granulosal cells. As follicles mature, there is a transfer of dependency from FSH to LH, which may be part of the mechanism(s) involved in selection of follicles for continued growth. Indeed, changes in the pattern of expression of mRNA for gonadotrophin receptors and steroid enzymes within follicular cells appear to be closely linked to changes in peripheral concentrations of gonadotrophins. The mechanism of selection of dominant follicles still requires clarification, but seems to be linked to the timing of mRNA expression encoding LHr and 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3 beta HSD) in granulosal cells. Additional intraovarian systems, including the ovarian IGF and activin/inhibin systems, also exert a role. For example, it appears that the development of follicular dominance in cows is associated with the FSH-dependent inhibition of the expression of mRNA encoding insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP-2) in granulosal cells. In conclusion, the integration of these endocrine signals and intraovarian factors within follicles determines whether follicles continue to develop and become dominant or are diverted into apoptotic pathways leading to atresia.