Defining the cell and molecular origins of the primate ovarian reserve
Abstract
Abstract The primate ovarian reserve is established during late fetal development and consists of quiescent primordial follicles in the ovarian cortex each composed of granulosa cells surrounding an oocyte in dictate. As late stages of fetal development are not routinely accessible using human tissues, the current study exploits the evolutionary proximity of the rhesus macaque to investigate follicle formation in primates. Like in humans, the rhesus prenatal ovary develops multiple types of pre-granulosa cells in time and space, with primordial follicles deriving from later emerging pre-granulosa subtypes. In addition, our work shows that activated medullary follicles recruit fetal theca cells to establish a two-cell system for sex-steroid hormone production prior to birth, providing a cell-based explanation for mini puberty.
Article Details
Authors (13)
Sissy E. Wamaitha
Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles
Ernesto J. Rojas
Francesco Monticolo
Fei-man Hsu
Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles
Enrique Sosa
Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles
Amanda M. Mackie
Kiana Oyama
Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center
Maggie Custer
Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center
Melinda Murphy
Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center
Diana J. Laird
Jian Shu
Jon D. Hennebold
Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center
Amander T. Clark
Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California Los Angeles