Fig 2: GDF9 and BMP15 in human oocytes. (A) GDF9 was detected at a molecular weight of 47 kDa in a pool of 11 human immature oocytes. Using a blocking peptide against GDF9 (BG016, Ansh Labs) the band disappeared. BMP15 was detected at molecular weight of 43 kDa in a pool of 20 human immature oocytes. After including a BMP15 blocking peptide (BB028, Ansh Labs) the band disappeared, validating the specificity of the antibody. (B) GDF9 and BMP15 were detected after IVM in pools of 23 GV oocytes per lane and 28 MI/MII oocytes per lane. Note that the bands from recombinant GDF9 and BMP15 standards differed significantly from the native oocyte derived bands. The uncropped western blot membranes can be found in additional files 3 (A) and 4 (B)

Fig 3: Relative expression of seven genes from the GDF9 and BMP15 signaling pathways in cumulus cells from human oocytes before IVM (GV(Fresh), n = 24), and after IVM (GV, n = 21; and MII, n = 27). GV and MII respectively refer to germinal vesicle and metaphase II stages. (A) BMPR2, (B) ALK5, (C) ALK 6, (D) SMAD2, (E) SMAD3, (F) SMAD1, and (G) SMAD5. Error bars represent SEM. *P < 0.05; **P = 0.005

Fig 4: GDF9 and BMP15 localization in human ovarian follicles. (A) GDF9 (green) and HSD17β1 (red). (A1-A4) cumulus oocyte complex, (A5-A8) Magnifications of the dotted boxes in A1-A4). (B) BMP15 (green) and HSD17β1 (red). (B1-B4) cumulus oocyte complex, (B5-B8) Magnifications of the dotted boxes in B1-B4)