Growth and Differentiation of Small Ovarian Follicles in Mammals: Problems and Future Perspectives.

Cecconi, Sandra

doi:10.1262/jrd.48.431

Cited by 16 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 163 publications

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“…This process is mainly under pituitary gonadotropin stimulation and control [157], but also regulatory intra-and extraovarian factors, released both systemically and locally through endocrine and paracrine mechanisms, play a key role during this process [163,164]. The maturation of the antral follicles results in the formation of a compartmentalized structure consisting in 3 main domains: the cumulus-oocyte complex; the parietal granulosa layer and the theca compartments (Fig.…”

Section: Folliculogenesis and Oocyte Maturationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effects of the Endocrine Disruptors Dithiocarbamates on the Mammalian Ovary with Particular Regard to Mancozeb

Cecconi

Paro²,

Rossi³

et al. 2007

CPD

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Many human-made chemicals are called endocrine disruptors (EDs) because they have the potential to disrupt endocrine functions in exposed organisms. Many EDs can disrupt hormonal homeostasis by interfering with hormone receptor recognition, binding and activation, while others act by still unknown mechanisms. Among the EDs specifically affecting the female reproductive system, those with steroidogenic/antisteroidogenic effects have been extensively studied and the mechanisms of toxicity clarified also at molecular level. For many others, information is restricted to few epidemiological data and in vivo/in vitro experiments with animal models. This is the case of the dithiocarbamates, and in particular of the fungicide mancozeb, an ethylenedithiocarbamate widely used to protect fruit and vegetables, ginseng included, because of its low acute toxicity in humans. Although the mechanism(s) by which mancozeb may specifically act on female reproductive organs are largely unknown, data on experimental animals in vivo have demonstrated that the fungicide can induce several disturbances on estrus cycle. When used in vitro at concentrations considered too low to cause human health injuries, the fungicide impairs mouse embryo development and meiotic spindle assembly. The possibility that the female germ cell (the oocyte) could be a specific target of mancozeb suggests a role for this fungicide as probable inductor of infertility also in exposed human populations.

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Section: Folliculogenesis and Oocyte Maturationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effects of the Endocrine Disruptors Dithiocarbamates on the Mammalian Ovary with Particular Regard to Mancozeb

Cecconi

Paro²,

Rossi³

et al. 2007

CPD

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“…These studies contributed to the development of new reproductive biotechnologies, including clinical application in the treatment of human infertility [1,15,17-22]. At present, follicles at various stages of development collected from both fresh or cryopreserved ovarian tissue have the potentiality to grow in vitro .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Then, many papers have been published on the culture of small follicles from mouse [1,28] or large mammals such as pig [29-31], sheep [32], bovine [17,29,33,34], primates [17] and humans [14,20,35,36]. These studies pointed out that mouse is the most handling source for experimental in vitro model.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultrastructure of isolated mouse ovarian follicles cultured in vitro

Nottola

Cecconi

Bianchi

et al. 2011

Reprod Biol Endocrinol

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BackgroundIn vitro maturation of ovarian follicles, in combination with cryopreservation, might be a valuable method for preserving and/or restoring fertility in mammals with impaired reproductive function. Several culture systems capable of sustaining mammalian follicle growth in vitro have been developed and many studies exist on factors influencing the development of in vitro grown oocytes. However, a very few reports concern the ultrastructural morphology of in vitro grown follicles.MethodsThe present study was designed to evaluate, by transmission and scanning electron microscopy, the ultrastructural features of isolated mouse preantral follicles cultured in vitro for 6 days in a standard medium containing fetal calf serum (FCS). The culture was supplemented or not with FSH.ResultsThe follicles cultured in FCS alone, without FSH supplementation (FCS follicles), did not form the antral cavity. They displayed low differentiation (juxta-nuclear aggregates of organelles in the ooplasm, a variable amount of microvilli on the oolemma, numerous granulosa cell-oolemma contacts, signs of degeneration in granulosa cell compartment). Eighty (80)% of FSH-treated follicles formed the antral cavity (FSH antral follicles). These follicles showed various ultrastructural markers of maturity (spreading of organelles in ooplasm, abundant microvilli on the oolemma, scarce granulosa cell-oolemma contacts, granulosa cell proliferation). Areas of detachment of the innermost granulosa cell layer from the oocyte were also found, along with a diffuse granulosa cell loosening compatible with the antral formation. Theca cells showed an immature morphology for the stage reached. Twenty (20)% of FSH-treated follicles did not develop the antral cavity (FSH non-antral follicles) and displayed morphological differentiation features intermediate between those shown by FCS and FSH antral follicles (spreading of organelles in the ooplasm, variable amount of microvilli, scattered granulosa cell-oolemma contacts, signs of degeneration in granulosa cell compartment).ConclusionsIt is concluded that FSH supports the in vitro growth of follicles, but the presence of a diffuse structural granulosa cell-oocyte uncoupling and the absence of theca development unveil the incomplete efficiency of the system. The present study contributes to explain, from a morphological point of view, the effects of culture conditions on the development of mouse in vitro grown follicles and to highlight the necessity of maintaining efficient intercellular communications to obtain large numbers of fully-grown mature germ cells.

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“…Knowledge of the mechanisms involved in regulating early follicular populations could greatly enhance the reproductive efficiency of domestic animals and contribute to the preservation of critically endangered animal species. Women and girls suffering from premature ovarian failure due to chemo‐ or radiotherapy, would also benefit from the in vitro culture of primordial follicles collected before the gonadotoxic treatment (Cecconi 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ovarian Follicular Dynamics: A Review with Emphasis on the Bovine Species. Part I: Folliculogenesis and Pre‐antral Follicle Development

Aerts

Bols

2010

Reprod Domestic Animals

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Recent scientific research into pre-antral follicular dynamics has resulted in the discovery of a wide range of hormones and local factors that influence primordial follicle activation and contribute to follicular development. The putative role of several of these mediators in the follicle growth process has been elucidated by genetic and molecular investigations. Crucial questions, such as the mechanism for primordial follicle initiation and the interplay between oocyte and granulosa cells in this process, remain however unresolved. This review article commences with a description of the embryogenesis of the ovary and follicles. Next, the different stages in the development from primordial to pre-antral follicle are discussed. Thereafter, a short overview of the various in vitro models for the study of follicular dynamics is presented. Finally, an in-depth discussion of pre-antral follicle development engages in the current hypotheses regarding primordial follicle activation, and the role of gonadotrophins and angiogenesis.

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Growth and Differentiation of Small Ovarian Follicles in Mammals: Problems and Future Perspectives.

Cited by 16 publications

References 163 publications

The Effects of the Endocrine Disruptors Dithiocarbamates on the Mammalian Ovary with Particular Regard to Mancozeb

The Effects of the Endocrine Disruptors Dithiocarbamates on the Mammalian Ovary with Particular Regard to Mancozeb

Ultrastructure of isolated mouse ovarian follicles cultured in vitro

Ovarian Follicular Dynamics: A Review with Emphasis on the Bovine Species. Part I: Folliculogenesis and Pre‐antral Follicle Development

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