Inhibition of apoptosis in vitellogenic ovarian follicles of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) by salmon gonadotropin, epidermal growth factor, and 17β‐estradiol

We have examined the ability of selected hormones and growth factors to suppress the spontaneous onset on apoptotic DNA fragmentation in isolated vitellogenic rainbow trout ovarian follicles cultured in serum-free conditions. Primary culture of isolated follicles for 24 hr in serum-free conditions resulted in a 3-5-fold increase in the amount of fragmented DNA as compared to non-cultured controls, measured by radioactive 3'end-labeling. Culture …