Ovarian germline stem cells: an unlimited source of oocytes?

Fertil Steril

Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon.

Published: January 2014

While there has been progress in directing the development of embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells toward a germ cell state, their ability to serve as a source of functional oocytes in a clinically relevant model or situation has yet to be established. Recent studies suggest that the adult mammalian ovary is not endowed with a finite number of oocytes, but instead possesses stem cells that contribute to their renewal. The ability to isolate and promote the growth and development of such ovarian germline stem cells (GSCs) would provide a novel means to treat infertility in women. Although such ovarian GSCs are well characterized in nonmammalian model organisms, the findings that support the existence of adult ovarian GSCs in mammals have been met with considerable evidence that disputes their existence. This review details the lessons provided by model organisms that successfully utilize ovarian GSCs to allow for a continual and high level of female germ cell production throughout their life, with a specific focus on the cellular mechanisms involved in GSC self-renewal and oocyte development. Such an overview of the role that oogonial stem cells play in maintaining fertility in nonmammalian species serves as a backdrop for the data generated to date that supports or disputes the existence of GSCs in mammals as well as the future of this area of research in terms of its potential for any application in reproductive medicine.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3926438PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2013.11.009DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

stem cells
24
ovarian gscs
12
ovarian germline
8
germline stem
8
germ cell
8
model organisms
8
gscs mammals
8
disputes existence
8
stem
6
cells
6

Similar Publications

NAC-Grafted ROS-Scavenging Polymer Nanoparticles for Modulation of Acute Lung Injury Microenvironment In Vivo.

Biomacromolecules

December 2024

MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.

-Acetyl cysteine (NAC) is an essential molecule that boosts acute lung injury (ALI) defense via its direct antioxidant capability. Nevertheless, the therapeutic use of NAC is limited due to its poor bioavailability and short half-life. In this study, NAC was grafted to the polyurethane consisting of poly(propylene fumarate), poly(thioketal), and 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (PFTU) to reduce excessive oxidative stress and inflammatory factors in ALI.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) atrophy is a significant cause of human blindness worldwide, occurring in polygenic diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and monogenic diseases such as Stargardt diseases (STGD1) and late-onset retinal degeneration (L-ORD). The patient-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived RPE (iRPE) model exhibits many advantages in understanding the cellular basis of pathological mechanisms of RPE atrophy. The iRPE model is based on iPSC-derived functionally mature and polarized RPE cells that reproduce several features of native RPE cells, such as phagocytosis of photoreceptor outer segments (POS) and replenishment of visual pigment.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

In vivo bioengineered tooth formation using decellularized tooth bud extracellular matrix scaffolds.

Stem Cells Transl Med

December 2024

Department of Orthodontics, Division of Craniofacial and Molecular Genetics, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, United States.

The use of dental implants to replace lost or damaged teeth has become increasingly widespread due to their reported high survival and success rates. In reality, the long-term survival of dental implants remains a health concern, based on their short-term predicted survival of ~15 years, significant potential for jawbone resorption, and risk of peri-implantitis. The ability to create functional bioengineered teeth, composed of living tissues with properties similar to those of natural teeth, would be a significant improvement over currently used synthetic titanium implants.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Tissue engineering and cartilage transplantation constitute an evolving field in the treatment of osteoarthritis, with therapeutic and clinical promise shown in autologous chondrocyte implantation. The aim of this systematic review is to explore current clinical trials that utilized autologous chondrocyte transplantation (ACT) and assess its efficacy in the treatment of osteoarthritis. PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and Google-Scholar (pages 1-20) were searched up until February 2023.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Signaling pathway regulators in preimplantation embryos.

J Mol Histol

December 2024

Department of Embryology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, P.O.Box 16635-148, Tehran, Iran.

Embryonic development during the preimplantation stages is highly sensitive and critically dependent on the reception of signaling cues. The precise coordination of diverse pathways and signaling factors is essential for successful embryonic progression. Even minor disruptions in these factors can result in physiological dysfunction, fetal malformations, or embryonic arrest.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!