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Ovarian Function and Failure: The Role of the Oocyte and Its Molecules

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Reproductive Endocrinology

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The ovaries are complex organs by virtue of their primary function and are also genetically unique, since they have a mixture of both somatic cells and germ cells. At birth, each ovarian germ cell or oocyte is enclosed by a specialized population of somatic (pregranulosa) cells to form the follicle, the most basic functional unit of the female gonads. Most follicles present in the ovaries of neonates exist in a state of growth arrest and are referred to as primordial follicles. Although the number of these follicles endowed in the ovaries at birth varies among species (from 2×104 to 4×104 in mice to 1×106–2×106 in humans), this stockpile of oocytes is non-renewable in all species and must provide for the entire reproductive needs of the female throughout adult life. By the age of 50 years, the ovaries in most women are exhausted and menopause ensues as a direct consequence of ovarian senescence.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, Biomedical and Physical Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA

    Loro L. Kujjo

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  1. Loro L. Kujjo
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  2. Gloria I. Perez
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

     

    ART:

    assisted reproductive technology

    ATP:

    adenosine 5’-triphosphate

    CaMKII:

    calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II

    CC:

    cumulus cells

    CERT:

    ceramide transport protein

    DDSB:

    DNA double strand breaks

    E2:

    estradiol

    ER:

    endoplasmic reticulum

    G6P:

    glucose-6-phosphate

    GPBP:

    good-pasture antigen binding protein

    IVF:

    in vitro fertilization

    MI:

    metaphase I

    MII:

    metaphase II

    mtDNA:

    mitochondrial DNA

    NADPH:

    nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate

    OHSS:

    ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome

    POF:

    premature ovarian failure

    Rad51:

    protein involved in repair of DNA.

    ROS:

    reactive oxygen species

    SAC:

    spindle assembly checkpoint

    Smac/DIABLO:

    mitochondrial protein

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    Kujjo, L.L., Perez, G.I. (2009). Ovarian Function and Failure: The Role of the Oocyte and Its Molecules. In: Chedrese, P. (eds) Reproductive Endocrinology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-88186-7_25

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