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Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), belonging to the transforming growth factor-beta family, are crucial factors in follicular growth and development in the mammalian ovary. In this study, we examined the effects of BMP-4 and BMP-7 on granulosa cell apoptosis. Here, we report that BMP-7 suppresses granulosa cell apoptosis by inhibiting the release of caspase-activated DNase (CAD) via a mechanism which does not appear to be associated with the mitochondrial pathway, whereas BMP-4 inhibits the release of CAD. Our data provide the first evidence that BMP-4 and BMP-7 may inhibit granulosa cell apoptosis via different pathways.

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