265. Increased FSH activity increases primordial follicle reserve and enhances preovulatory follicle survival in transgenic FSH female mice

2008 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 65
Author(s):  
K. J. McTavish ◽  
K. A. Walters ◽  
D. J. Handelsman ◽  
C. M. Allan
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Follicle ◽  
Primordial Follicle ◽  
Antral Follicle ◽  
Follicle Development ◽  
Preovulatory Follicle ◽  
Primary Follicle ◽  
Primordial Follicles ◽  
Female Mice ◽  
Depletion Rate ◽  
Reproductive Ageing

The mammalian female reproductive lifespan is determined by the depletion rate of the finite ovarian follicle reserve established before or shortly after birth. Follicle formation, initiation and early growth are thought to be independent of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), whereas antral follicle development requires FSH stimulation. Rising serum FSH is one of the earliest signs of reproductive ageing in women, coinciding with declining fecundity and an accelerated decline in remaining follicle reserves, but whether or not increased FSH plays a direct or feed-forward role in accelerating reproductive ageing remains undetermined. We previously described transgenic (Tg) mice with rising serum human FSH that produced larger litter sizes <20 weeks of age, then rapidly declining litter size from 20–40 weeks old (wo) culminating in premature infertility1. Despite declining fertility, ageing TgFSH females maintained ovulation rates ~3-fold higher than wt females. Follicle quantitation revealed that ovarian antral follicle numbers at diestrus were equivalent in 26 wo TgFSH and wt females. The elevated ovulation rates in TgFSH females may reflect increased preovulatory follicle survival during proestrus, as ~70% of large antral follicles go on to ovulate in TgFSH females, compared with only 30% in wt females. In contrast to the view that higher FSH may increase follicle development and consequently accelerate follicle depletion, examination of follicle reserve revealed that subfertile or infertile 26–52 wo TgFSH females exhibited increased total ovarian primordial follicle numbers (60%, P < 0.05) with no significant change in primary follicle numbers compared with age-matched wt females. Therefore, increased FSH activity appeared to act as a survival factor for primordial follicles. Our current analysis of increased FSH actions in female mice suggests that FSH may enhance the survival of both early (primordial) and late (preovulatory) follicle populations. (1) McTavish KJ et al. Endocrinology. 2007 Sep;148(9):4432–9.

138 Relationships Between Antral Follicle Count, Ovarian Volume, Pre-Antral Follicle Number, and Oocyte Quality

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 209
Author(s):  
G. L. Vasconcelos ◽  
R. Maculan ◽  
N. Alves ◽  
A. L. A. P. L. Ribeiro ◽  
A. W. B. Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Follicle ◽  
Primordial Follicle ◽  
Antral Follicle ◽  
Oocyte Quality ◽  
Antral Follicle Count ◽  
Primary Follicle ◽  
Ovarian Volume ◽  
Primordial Follicles ◽  
Antral Follicles ◽  
Grade 3

The objective was to evaluate the possible relationships between AFC, ovarian volume, ovarian follicle reserve and oocyte quality in abattoir-derived ovaries (experiment 1) and in cows (experiment 2) submitted to OPU. Antral follicle counts of ≥25, 16 to 24, and ≤ 16 were used to define AFC classes as high (HAFC), intermediate (IAFC), and low (LAFC) in both experiments. In experiment 1, after antral follicles were aspirated, abattoir ovaries (n = 10 per AFC class) were processed by conventional histology and pre-antral follicles were counted within primordial, primary, secondary, and tertiary classes and classified as either healthy or degenerate under regular microscopy (Cushman et al. 1999). In experiment 2, HAFC (n = 42), IAFC (n = 34), and LAFC (n = 29) cows were submitted to OPU and oocytes classified as grades 1, 2, and 3 or degenerate (IETS, 2010). Antral follicles (≥3 mm in diameter) were counted by ultrasonography. Data were analysed by GENMOD and GLM procedures of SAS (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA) after transformations, when required. In experiment 1, mean normal primordial follicle number was higher (P < 0.001) in HAFC (137.0 ± 1.6)a compared with IAFC (52.6 ± 1.9)b and LAFC (20.2 ± 5.3)c ovaries. However, the mean number of degenerate primordial follicles was lower (P < 0.001) in low count ovaries (2.4 ± 0.6) compared with HAFC (19.0 ± 4.7) and IAFC (16.4 ± 1.5, P < 0.001). Normal primary follicle number was higher in the HAFC compared with IAFC and LAFC ovarian classes (86.2 ± 7.0a v. 34.6 ± 5.1b and 14.4 ± 3.3c, respectively; P < 0.01). Degenerate primary follicles were higher in the HAFC compared with LAFC ovarian class (16.8 ± 6.5 v. 5.2 ± 2.64; P < 0.05). Normal secondary follicle number was also higher in the HAFC compared to LAFC ovarian classes (25.2 ± 7.67 v. 2.4 ± 0.8; P < 0.05). The number of degenerate secondary follicles differed (P < 0.01) only between the IAFC and the LAFC ovarian classes (0.6 ± 0.4 and 7.2 ± 2.4, respectively), which were similar (P > 0.5) to the HAFC class (3.8 ± 1.0). In experiment 2, grade 1, 2, and 3 oocytes, viable oocytes, and ovarian volume (mm3) were higher (P < 0.001) in HAFC compared with IAFC and LAFC cows (grade 1: 7.9 ± 0.6a, 4.9 ± 0.7b and 3.3 ± 0.7c; grade 2: 4.0 ± 0.4a, 2.8 ± 0.4b and 1.2c; grade 3: 2.1 ± 0.4a, 2.5 ± 0.4a and 1.3 ± 0.5b, respectively; viable oocytes: 16.3 ± 1.1a, 13.1 ± 1.2b, and 8.1 ± 1.3c, respectively; (volumes: 12.6 ± 0.7a, 10.1 ± 0.8b, and 8.1 ± 0.9c, respectively). In conclusion, high AFC is linked to a higher follicular reserve, oocyte quality, and ovarian volume. It is safe to apply AFC in the selection of bovine females without compromising oocyte or pre-antral follicular population qualities.

scholarly journals Cytokine (IL16) and tyrphostin actions on ovarian primordial follicle development

Reproduction ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 148 (3) ◽  
pp. 321-331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Feeney ◽  
Eric Nilsson ◽  
Michael K Skinner
Keyword(s):  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Granulosa Cells ◽  
Ovarian Follicle ◽  
Primordial Follicle ◽  
Cytokine Signaling ◽  
Follicle Development ◽  
Primary Follicle ◽  
Primordial Follicles ◽  
Network Analyses

An ovarian follicle is composed of an oocyte and surrounding theca and granulosa cells. Oocytes are stored in an arrested state within primordial follicles until they are signaled to re-initiate development by undergoing primordial-to-primary follicle transition. Previous gene bionetwork analyses of primordial follicle development identified a number of critical cytokine signaling pathways and genes potentially involved in the process. In the current study, candidate regulatory genes and pathways from the gene network analyses were tested for their effects on the formation of primordial follicles (follicle assembly) and on primordial follicle transition using whole ovary organ culture experiments. Observations indicate that the tyrphostin inhibitor (E)-2-benzylidene-3-(cyclohexylamino)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-one increased follicle assembly significantly, supporting a role for the MAPK signaling pathway in follicle assembly. The cytokine interleukin 16 (IL16) promotes primordial-to-primary follicle transition as compared with the controls, where as Delta-like ligand 4 (DLL4) and WNT-3A treatments have no effect. Immunohistochemical experiments demonstrated the localization of both the cytokine IL16 and its receptor CD4 in the granulosa cells surrounding each oocyte within the ovarian follicle. The tyrphostin LDN193189 (LDN) is an inhibitor of the bone morphogenic protein receptor 1 within the TGFB signaling pathway and was found to promote the primordial-to-primary follicle transition. Observations support the importance of cytokines (i.e., IL16) and cytokine signaling pathways in the regulation of early follicle development. Insights into regulatory factors affecting early primordial follicle development are provided that may associate with ovarian disease and translate to improved therapy in the future.

scholarly journals The activin-follistatin system and in vitro early follicle development in goats

2006 ◽  
Vol 189 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
J R V Silva ◽  
T Tharasanit ◽  
M A M Taverne ◽  
G C van der Weijden ◽  
R R Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Tissue ◽  
Primordial Follicle ◽  
Activin A ◽  
Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase ◽  
Follicle Development ◽  
Cortical Tissue ◽  
Primary Follicle ◽  
Growth And Survival ◽  
Primordial Follicles

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of activin-A and follistatin on in vitro primordial and primary follicle development in goats. To study primordial follicle development (experiment 1), pieces of ovarian cortex were cultured in vitro for 5 days in minimal essential medium (MEM) supplemented with activin-A (0, 10 or 100 ng/ml), follistatin (0, 10 or 100 ng/ml) or combinations of the two. After culture, the numbers of primordial follicles and more advanced follicle stages were calculated and compared with those in non-cultured tissue. Protein and mRNA expression of activin-A, follistatin, Kit ligand (KL), growth differentiation factor-9 (GDF-9) and bone morphogenetic protein-15 (BMP-15) in non-cultured and cultured follicles were studied by immunohistochemistry and PCR. To evaluate primary follicle growth (experiment 2), freshly isolated follicles were cultured for 6 days in MEM plus 100 ng/ml activin-A, 100 ng/ml follistatin or 100 ng/ml activin-A plus 200 ng/ml follistatin. Morphology, follicle and oocyte diameters in cultured tissue and isolated follicles before and after culture were assessed. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) reactions were performed to study DNA fragmentation in follicles. In experiment 1, it was found that goat primordial follicles were activated to develop into more advanced stages, i.e. intermediate and primary follicles, during in vitro culture, but neither activin-A nor follistatin affected the number of primordial follicles that entered the growth phase. Activin-A treatment enhanced the number of morphologically normal follicles and stimulated their growth during cortical tissue culture. The effects were, however, not counteracted by follistatin. The follicles in cultured goat tissue maintained their expression of proteins and mRNA for activin-A, follistatin, KL, GDF-9 and BMP-15. Fewer than 30% of the atretic follicles in cultured cortical tissue had TUNEL-positive (oocyte or granulosa) cells. Activin-A did not affect the occurrence of TUNEL-positive cells in follicles within cortical tissue. In experiment 2, addition of activin-A to cultured isolated primary follicles significantly stimulated their growth, the effect being counteracted by follistatin. Absence of such a neutralizing effect of follistatin in the cultures with ovarian cortical tissue can be due to lower dose of follistatin used and incomplete blockage of activin in these experiments. In contrast to cortical enclosed atretic follicles, all atretic follicles that had arisen in cultures with isolated primary follicles had TUNEL-positive cells, which points to differences between isolated and ovarian tissue-enclosed follicles with regard to the followed pathways leading to their degeneration. In summary, this in vitro study has demonstrated that cultured goat primordial follicles are activated to grow and develop into intermediate and primary follicles. During in vitro culture, the follicles maintain their ability to express activin-A, follistatin, KL, GDF-9 and BMP-15. The in vitro growth and survival of activated follicles enclosed in cortical tissue and the in vitro growth of isolated primary follicles are stimulated by activin-A.

scholarly journals Proteomic Analysis of Fetal Ovaries Reveals That Primordial Follicle Formation and Transition Are Differentially Regulated

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengmeng Xu ◽  
Long Che ◽  
Zhenguo Yang ◽  
Pan Zhang ◽  
Jiankai Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stress Response ◽  
Molecular Mechanism ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Ovarian Follicle ◽  
Primordial Follicle ◽  
Reproductive Organ ◽  
Primary Follicle ◽  
Altered Expression ◽  
Primordial Follicles ◽  
Ovarian Follicle Development

Primordial follicle formation represents a critical phase of the initiation of embryonic reproductive organ development, while the primordial follicle transition into primary follicle determines whether oestrus or ovulation will occur in female animals. To identify molecular mechanism of new proteins which are involved in ovarian development, we employed 2D-DIGE to compare the protein expression profiles of primordial follicles and primary follicles of fetal ovaries in pigs. Fetal ovaries were collected at distinct time-points of the gestation cycle (g55 and g90). The identified proteins at the g55 time-point are mainly involved in the development of anatomical structures [reticulocalbin-1 (RCN1), reticulocalbin-3 (RCN3)], cell differentiation (actin), and stress response [heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (HNRNPK)]. Meanwhile, at the g90 stage, the isolated proteins with altered expression levels were mainly associated with cell proliferation [major vault protein (MVP)] and stress response [heat shock-related 70 kDa protein 2 (HSPA2)]. In conclusion, our work revealed that primordial follicle formation is regulated by RCN1, RCN3, actin, and HNRNPK, while the primordial follicle transformation to primary follicle is regulated by MVP and HSPA2. Therefore, our results provide further information for the prospective understanding of the molecular mechanism(s) involved in the regulation of the ovarian follicle development.

scholarly journals Actions of anti-Müllerian hormone on the ovarian transcriptome to inhibit primordial to primary follicle transition

Reproduction ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 134 (2) ◽  
pp. 209-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Nilsson ◽  
Natalie Rogers ◽  
Michael K Skinner
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Keratinocyte Growth Factor ◽  
Primordial Follicle ◽  
Follicle Development ◽  
Primary Follicle ◽  
Molecular Control ◽  
Primordial Follicles ◽  
Cellular Pathways

The oocytes found within the primordial follicles of mammalian ovaries remain quiescent for months to years until they receive the appropriate signals to undergo the primordial to primary follicle transition and initiate folliculogenesis. The molecular mechanisms and extracellular signaling factors that regulate this process remain to be fully elucidated. The current study investigates the mechanisms utilized by anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH; i.e. Müllerian inhibitory substance) to inhibit the primordial to primary follicle transition. Ovaries from 4-day-old rats were placed into organ culture and incubated in the absence or presence of AMH, either alone or in combination with known stimulators of follicle transition, including basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), kit ligand (KITL), or keratinocyte growth factor (KGF). Following 10 days of culture, the ovaries were sectioned, stained, and morphologically evaluated to determine the percentage of primordial versus developing follicles. As previously demonstrated, AMH treatment decreased primordial to primary follicle transition. Interestingly, AMH inhibited the stimulatory actions of KITL, bFGF, and KGF. Therefore, AMH can inhibit the basal and stimulated development of primordial follicles. To investigate the mechanism of AMH actions, the influence AMH has on the ovarian transcriptome was analyzed. AMH treatment when compared with controls was found to alter the expression of 707 genes. The overall effect of AMH exposure is to decrease the expression of stimulatory factors, increase the expression of inhibitory factors, and regulate cellular pathways (e.g. transforming growth factor β signaling pathway) that result in the inhibition of primordial follicle development. Analysis of the regulatory factors and cellular pathways altered by AMH provides a better understanding of the molecular control of primordial follicle development.

scholarly journals Chronic predator stress in female mice reduces primordial follicle numbers: implications for the role of ghrelin

2019 ◽  
Vol 241 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madeleine R Di Natale ◽  
Alita Soch ◽  
Ilvana Ziko ◽  
Simone N De Luca ◽  
Sarah J Spencer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Stress ◽  
Ovarian Follicle ◽  
Reproductive Function ◽  
Primordial Follicle ◽  
Primordial Follicles ◽  
Female Mice ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Acyl Ghrelin ◽  
Follicle Maturation ◽  
Predator Stress

Chronic stress is a known suppressor of female reproductive function. However, attempts to isolate single causal links between stress and reproductive dysfunction have not yet been successful due to their multi-faceted aetiologies. The gut-derived hormone ghrelin regulates stress and reproductive function and may therefore be pivotal in the neuroendocrine integration of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) and –gonadal (HPG) axes. Here, we hypothesised that chronic stress disrupts ovarian follicle maturation and that this effect is mediated by a stress-induced increase in acyl ghrelin and activation of the growth hormone secretatogue receptor (GHSR). We gave C57BL/6J female mice 30 min daily chronic predator stress for 4 weeks, or no stress, and gave them daily GHSR antagonist (d-Lys3-GHRP-6) or saline. Exposure to chronic predator stress reduced circulating corticosterone, elevated acyl ghrelin levels and led to significantly depleted primordial follicle numbers. GHSR antagonism stress-dependently altered the expression of genes regulating ovarian responsiveness to gonadotropins and was able to attenuate the stress-induced depletion of primordial follicles. These findings suggest that chronic stress-induced elevations of acyl ghrelin may be detrimental for ovarian follicle maturation.

scholarly journals Regulation of Ovarian Primordial Follicle Assembly and Development by Estrogen and Progesterone: Endocrine Model of Follicle Assembly

Endocrinology ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 144 (8) ◽  
pp. 3329-3337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phillip Kezele ◽  
Michael K. Skinner
Keyword(s):  
Granulosa Cells ◽  
Calf Serum ◽  
Single Layer ◽  
Primordial Follicle ◽  
Follicle Development ◽  
Newborn Rat ◽  
Primary Follicle ◽  
Primordial Follicles

Abstract The assembly of the developmentally arrested primordial follicle and the subsequent transition of the primordial follicle to the primary follicle are critical processes in normal ovarian physiology that remain to be elucidated. Ovarian follicles do not proliferate and the primordial follicles present in the neonate represent the total number of gametes available to a female throughout her reproductive life. The primordial follicles are oocytes surrounded by less differentiated squamous granulosa cells and are derived from oocyte nests, and primary follicles are oocytes surrounded by a single layer of cuboidal granulosa cells that have initiated follicle development. Abnormalities in primordial follicle assembly, arrest, and development (i.e. primordial to primary follicle transition) can cause pathological conditions such as premature ovarian failure. In this study newborn rat ovaries were cultured for 7 d. The rate of primordial follicle assembly in vivo was identical with the rate in vitro. Interestingly, the rate of primordial follicle transition to the primary follicle was found to be 3 times greater in culture. This abnormal rate of primary follicle development in culture suggests the primordial follicle does not arrest in development as observed in vivo. To investigate this phenomena newborn rat ovaries were cultured in the presence of progesterone, estradiol or calf serum. Estradiol, progesterone, or calf serum significantly reduced the level of initial primordial to primary follicle transition. Approximately 60% of follicles make the primordial to primary follicle transition in control ovaries and about 30% in treated ovaries. Steroids and calf serum had no effect on the primordial to primary follicle transition in ovaries collected and cultured from postnatal 4-d-old rats, suggesting the effects observed are restricted to the initial wave of primordial to primary follicle transition. Interestingly, progesterone was also found to significantly reduce the rate of primordial follicle assembly. All viable oocytes assembled into primordial follicles in control ovaries and approximately 40% remained unassembled in progesterone-treated ovaries. Progesterone was also found to reduce primordial follicle assembly in vivo with 10% of the total follicles remaining unassembled in progesterone injected neonatal animals. Analysis of cellular apoptosis demonstrated that progesterone inhibited the coordinated oocyte apoptosis required for primordial follicle assembly. The hypothesis developed is that high levels of maternal and fetal steroids prevent premature primordial follicle assembly and primordial to primary follicle transition in the embryo. After birth steroid levels fall dramatically and the primordial follicles are free to assemble and initiate development. These observations suggest a novel role for steroids and the maternal-fetal endocrine unit in the control of ovarian primordial follicle assembly and early follicular development.

scholarly journals Neurotrophin NT3 promotes ovarian primordial to primary follicle transition

Reproduction ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 138 (4) ◽  
pp. 697-707 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Nilsson ◽  
Gretchen Dole ◽  
Michael K Skinner
Keyword(s):  
Primordial Follicle ◽  
Interstitial Tissue ◽  
Follicle Development ◽  
Primary Follicle ◽  
Primordial Follicles ◽  
Neurotrophin 3 ◽  
Old Rats ◽  
High Doses ◽  
Immunohistochemical Studies ◽  
Development Analysis

Neurotrophins are growth factors that are known to have a role in promoting cell survival and differentiation. The focus of the current study is to examine the role of neurotrophins in regulating ovarian primordial follicle development. Ovaries from 4-day old rats were placed into organ culture and cultured for 10 days in the absence or presence of neurotrophin-3 (NT3), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), or nerve growth factor (NGF). Treatment of ovaries with NT3 resulted in a significant (P<0.01) increase in primordial follicle development (i.e. primordial to primary follicle transition). Treatment with BDNF at high doses of 100–250 ng/ml also significantly (P<0.01) increased primordial follicle development, but NGF had no effect. Immunohistochemical studies determined that NT3 was present in granulosa cells, interstitial tissue, and in the oocytes of primordial and primary follicles. The NT3 receptor NTRK3 was present in oocytes at all stages of development. Analysis of ovaries that contain predominantly primordial follicles demonstrated the transcripts for NT3, NTRK3, NGF, and the BDNF/neurotrophin-4 (NT4) receptor NTRK2 are expressed, while BDNF, NT4, and the NGF receptor NTRK1 are not detectable. Inhibition of the NTRK3 receptor with the tyrphostin AG 879 resulted in oocyte death and a significant (P<0.01) reduction in follicle pool size. Inhibition of the NTRK receptors with K252a slowed primordial to primary follicle transition. A microarray analysis demonstrated that a small number of genes were differentially expressed after NT3 treatment. Observations indicate that the neurotrophin NT3, acting through the NTRK3 receptor in oocytes, promotes the primordial to primary follicle transition.

scholarly journals Platelet-derived growth factor modulates the primordial to primary follicle transition

Reproduction ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 131 (6) ◽  
pp. 1007-1015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric E Nilsson ◽  
Chris Detzel ◽  
Michael K Skinner
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Neutralizing Antibody ◽  
Primordial Follicle ◽  
Positive Control ◽  
Immunohistochemical Localization ◽  
Platelet Derived Growth Factor ◽  
Follicle Development ◽  
Primary Follicle ◽  
Primordial Follicles ◽  
Extracellular Signaling

Primordial follicles steadily leave the arrested pool and undergo a primordial to primary follicle transition during the female reproductive lifespan. When the available pool of primordial follicles is depleted reproduction ceases and humans enter menopause. The present study was designed to investigate the actions of several growth factors previously identified as candidate regulatory factors for the primordial to primary follicle transition with a microarray analysis. Ovaries from 4-day-old rats were placed into culture and treated for 2 weeks with platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), anti-PDGF neutralizing antibody, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), neuregulin (NRG), or kit ligand (KITL) as a positive control. PDGF-treatment resulted in a significant decrease in the percentage of primordial follicles and a concomitant increase in the percentage of developing primary follicles compared to controls. In contrast, ovaries treated with an anti-PDGF neutralizing antibody had a significant increase in the percentage of primordial follicles demonstrating an inhibition of endogenous follicle development. Ovaries incubated in the presence of VEGF or NRG had no change in follicle development. Observations indicate that PDGF, but not VEGF or NRG, promotes the primordial to primary follicle transition. Immunohistochemical localization indicated that the PDGF protein was present in the oocytes of both primordial and developing follicles. PDGF-treatment of cultured ovaries resulted in an increase in KITL mRNA expression. KITL has been previously shown to promote the primordial to primary follicle transition. KITL-treatment of ovaries had no effect on expression of Pdgf or any PDGF homologs or receptors. Therefore, PDGF appears to be produced by the oocyte and acts as one of several extracellular signaling factors that regulate the primordial to primary follicle transition. These observations provide insight into the cell–cell interactions involved in the regulation of primordial follicle development and can be used in the future development of therapies for some forms of infertility.

Calorie restriction during gestation affects ovarian reserve in offspring in the mouse

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (18) ◽  
pp. 1338
Author(s):  
Bianka M. Zanini ◽  
Kelvin R. S. Andrade ◽  
Jorgea Pradiee ◽  
Gabriel B. Veiga ◽  
Driele N. Garcia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Calorie Restriction ◽  
Ovarian Function ◽  
Ovarian Follicle ◽  
Female Offspring ◽  
Double Strand Breaks ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Dna Double Strand Breaks ◽  
Primary Follicle ◽  
Primordial Follicles ◽  
Strand Breaks

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of calorie restriction (CR) during pregnancy in mice on metabolism and ovarian function in the offspring. Pregnant female mice were divided into two groups, a control group and a CR group (n=7 in each). Mice in the CR group were fed 50% of the amount consumed by control females from Day 10 of gestation until delivery. After weaning, the offspring received diet ad libitum until 3 months of age, when ovaries were collected. Ovaries were serially cut and every sixth section was used for follicle counting. Female offspring from CR dams tended to have increased bodyweight compared with offspring from control females (P=0.08). Interestingly, fewer primordial follicles (60% reduction; P=0.001), transitional follicles (P=0.0006) and total follicles (P=0.006) were observed in offspring from CR mothers. The number of primary, secondary and tertiary follicles did not differ between the groups (P&gt;0.05). The CR offspring had fewer DNA double-strand breaks in primary follicle oocytes (P=0.03). In summary, CR during the second half of gestation decreased primordial ovarian follicle reserve in female offspring. These findings suggest that undernutrition during the second half of gestation may decrease the reproductive lifespan of female offspring.

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