Within the ovary, Estrogen Receptor β (ERβ) is localized to the granulosa cells of growing follicles. 17β-estradiol (E2) acting via ERβ augments the actions of follicle stimulating hormone in granulosa cells, leading to granulosa cell differentiation and formation of a preovulatory follicle. Adult ERβ-null females are subfertile and possess ovaries with reduced numbers of growing follicles and ...

BACKGROUND Ovarian surface epithelial cells are thought to be a precursor cell type for ovarian carcinoma. It has been proposed that an increased rate of ovarian surface epithelial cell proliferation during ovulatory wound repair contributes to the accumulation of genetic changes and cell transformation. The proliferation of ovarian surface epithelial cells during ovulatory wound repair has bee...

Calcitonin (CALCA), a hormone primarily known for its role in calcium homeostasis, has recently been linked to reproduction, specifically as a marker for embryo implantation in the uterus. Although CALCA expression has been documented in several tissues, there has been no report of production of CALCA in the ovary of any vertebrate species. We hypothesized that the Calca gene is expressed in th...

In the ovary, the steroid hormone estrogen and the TGF-beta superfamily member activin are both produced by granulosa cells and they both have intraovarian functions. Emerging evidence has indicated an interaction of these two signaling pathways. Based on the fact that estrogen and activin can impact early follicle formation and development, we hypothesize that estrogen treatment may alter acti...

Ovarian follicle formation in Drosophila melanogaster requires stall (stl) gene function, both within and outside the ovary, for follicle individualization, stalk cell intercalation, and oocyte localization. We have identified the stl transcript as CG3622, and confirmed the presence of three alternatively spliced isoforms, contrary to current genome annotation. Here we show that the gene is exp...

Ovary cryopreservation and transplantation has garnered increasing interest as a possible method to preserve fertility for cancer patients and to study ovarian resting follicle recruitment. Eleven consecutive women underwent fresh donor ovary transplantation, and 11 underwent cryopreserved ovary auto-transplantation in the same centre, with the same surgeon. Of the 11 fresh transplant recipient...

BACKGROUND We recently reported poor inter-observer agreement in identifying and quantifying individual ultrasonographic features of polycystic ovaries. Our objective was to determine the effect of a training workshop on reducing inter-observer variation in the ultrasonographic evaluation of polycystic ovaries. METHODS Transvaginal ultrasound recordings from thirty women with polycystic ovary...

The creation of the pool of follicles available for selection and ovulation is a multi-faceted, tightly regulated process that spans the period from embryonic development through to the first reproductive cycle of the organism. In mice, this development can occur in mere weeks, but in humans, it is sustained for years. Embryonic germ cell development involves the migration of primordial germs c...

The ovarian follicle is the fundamental unit of the ovary. It contains the oocyte that may eventually ovulate, undergo fertilization and form an embryo. It also provides the steroid and protein hormones required for maintenance of the ovarian cycle, the secondary sex characteristics and preparation of the uterus for implantation. Follicle formation and folliculogenesis have been well documented...

Background: To determine the effect of ovarian stimulation on the height of the epithelial cells of fallopian tubes and development of ovarian follicles and corpus luteum in NMRI mice. Materials and Methods: Forty female NMRI mice of 6 to 8 weeks were selected and divided into 4 groups: control group, 10 mice that were injected with saline. The second group of 10 mice that were injected with 7 ...