Human granulosa cells were used to explore the roles of BMPs in cumulus expansion-related gene expression.
BMP4, BMP6, BMP7 and BMP15 differentially induce HAS2 and hyaluronan production.
These effects result from differential activation of noncanonical SMAD2/3 signaling.
Activation of SMAD2/3 signaling requires BMP and activin/TGF-β type I receptors.
We show that BMPs can exert different functions via different SMAD signaling.