It was long believed that mammals are born with a fixed number of primordial follicles, each of which encloses an oocyte arrested at the diplotene step of meiotic prophase. Arising at or after birth, small numbers of primordial follicles become activated each day and enter a folliculogenic growth phase during which follicles either degenerate by atresia or complete maturation, resulting in ovul...

introduction:artifical sourace of radiation have increased worldwide average annual exposure of mankind and could especially affect rapidly dividing cells in gonads. since, radiation sensitivities of different components of primordial follicles, and the time required for their deplation have not been morphologically eatablished we decided to estimate the time required for depletion of primordia...

Paracrine signalling between the oocyte and its surrounding somatic cells is fundamental to the processes of oogenesis and folliculogenesis in mammals. The study of animal models has revealed that the interaction of granulosa cell-derived kit ligand (KL) with oocyte and theca cell-derived c-Kit is important for multiple aspects of oocyte and follicle development, including the establishment of ...

The formation of the essential functional unit of the ovary, the primordial follicle, occurs during fetal life in humans. Factors regulating oogonial proliferation and interaction with somatic cells before primordial follicle formation are largely unknown. We have investigated the expression, localisation and functional effects of activin and its receptors in the human fetal ovary at 14-21 week...

The formation of the essential functional unit of the ovary, the primordial follicle, occurs during fetal life in humans. Factors regulating oogonial proliferation and interaction with somatic cells before primordial follicle formation are largely unknown. We have investigated the expression, localisation and functional effects of activin and its receptors in the human fetal ovary at 14–21 week...

BACKGROUND Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) inhibits the initiation of the development and early growth of mouse ovarian follicles. Furthermore, the ovarian follicle pool diminishes prematurely in AMH-knockout mice. In this study, we examined whether AMH plays a similar role in humans, controlling ovarian follicle growth. METHODS Human ovarian cortical tissue biopsy specimens were cut into small ...

7,12-Dimethylbenz-[a]anthracene (DMBA) is an environmental carcinogen which has a potent ovotoxic affect on rat and mouse ovaries, causing complete follicular depletion resulting in premature ovarian failure. Although the overall effects of DMBA on ovarian folliculogenesis are well known, little is known about the exact molecular mechanisms behind its ovotoxicity. In this study, we characterize...

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of slow cryopreservation on the morphology and function of primate primordial follicles within ovarian tissue slices. DESIGN Fresh monkey ovarian tissue was frozen by slow cryopreservation and thawed for analysis of morphologic and functional parameters. SETTING University-affiliated laboratory. ANIMALS Rhesus monkey ovarian tissue. INTERVENTION(S) No...