BMP-15 and GDF-9 are synthesized as 249-295 amino acid N-terminal prodomains and 125-139 amino acid mature domains. The mature domains of GDF-9 and BMP-15 form 40 kDa and 34 kDa homodimers respectively and 37 kDa heterodimer 1,2. Growth Differentiation Factor 9 (GDF9) and Bone Morphogenic Protein 9 (BMP15) are oocyte secreted factors and play key roles in promoting follicle growth, maturation and oocyte competence 1,3-5. However, the action of BMP15 and GDF9 varied with respect to the species of origin and the stages of follicle development. Oocyte competence is an intrinsic developmental potential that allows a mature oocyte to become fertilized and develop to an embryo. Oocyte competence is achieved by long course of molecular, biochemical and morphological changes4. Recent study suggests AMH production is regulated by oocyte-secreted factors in primary human cumulus cells and the combination of GDF9 + BMP15 potently stimulates AMH expression6. Altered level and activity of GDF9 is implicated in premature ovarian failure and polycystic ovarian syndrome, implicating GDF9 in the etiology of these conditions 7-9.

References:
1. Peng et al, Growth differentiation factor 9: bone morphogenetic protein 15 heterodimers are potent regulators of ovarian functions. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2013 Feb;110(8): E776-85.
2. Pulkki et al, A covalently dimerized recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-15 variant identifies bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 1B as a key cell surface receptor on ovarian granulosa cells. Endocrinology. 2012 Mar;153(3):1509-18.
3. Mottershead et al, Cumulin, an Oocyte-secreted Heterodimer of the Transforming Growth Factor-β Family, Is a Potent Activator of Granulosa Cells and Improves Oocyte Quality. J Biol Chem. 2015 Sep;290(39):24007-20.
4. Kenneth et al, Bone morphogenetic protein 15 and growth differentiation factor 9 co-operate to regulate granulosa cell function. Reproduction. 2005 Apr;129(4):473-80.
5. Convissar et al, Regulation of AMH by oocyte-specific growth factors in human primary cumulus cells. Reproduction. 2017 Dec;154(6):745-753
6. Hussein et al, Oocyte-secreted factors enhance oocyte developmental competence. Dev Biol. 2006 Aug 15;296(2):514-21.
7. de resend et al, Single-cell expression analysis of BMP15 and GDF9 in mature oocytes and BMPR2 in cumulus cells of women with polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2012 Oct;29(10):1057-65.
8. Bouilly et al, Identification of Multiple Gene Mutations Accounts for a new Genetic Architecture of Primary Ovarian Insufficiency. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2016 Dec;101(12):4541-4550.
9. Aberrant GDF9 expression and activation are associated with common human ovarian disorders. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2014 Apr;99(4): E615-24

GDF-9/BMP-15 Complex ELISA

Kristensen SG, Kumar A, Mamsen LS, Kalra B, Pors SE, Bøtkjær JA, Macklon KT, Fedder J, Ernst E, Hardy K, Franks S, Andersen CY. Intrafollicular concentrations of the oocyte-secreted factors GDF9 and BMP15 vary inversely in polycystic ovaries. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2022 May 2:dgac272. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgac272. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35511085.

All Products Cited: GDF-9 ELISA AL-176; BMP-15 ELISA AL-179; GDF-9/BMP-15 Complex ELISA AL-181; AMH ELISA AL-105; Inhibin A ELISA AL-123; Inhibin B ELISA AL-107; Total Inhibin ELISA AL-134; Activin B ELISA AL-110; Activin AB ELISA AL-153; Follistatin ELISA AL-117

Calvert ME, Kalra B, Patel A, Kumar A, Shaw ND. Serum and urine profiles of TGF-β superfamily members in reproductive aged women. Clin Chim Acta. 2021 Dec 5;524:96-100. doi: 10.1016/j.cca.2021.12.002. Online ahead of print

All Products Cited: Inhibin A (pico) ELISA AL-184; Inhibin B ELISA AL-107; Inhibin (Total) ELISA AL-134; AMH (PCOCheck) ELISA AL-196; Activin A ELISA AL-110; Activin B ELISA AL-150; Activin AB ELISA AL-153; Follistatin ELISA AL-117; GDF-9/BMP-15 Complex ELISA AL-181; GDF-15 (Total) ELISA AL-1014; GDF-15 (H2O2D non-detectable) ELISA AL-1018