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Oogenesis pp 75–92Cite as

How the Oocyte Influences Follicular Cell Function and Why

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Abstract

During ovarian follicular development, bidirectional communication between oocytes and their companion somatic cells is indispensable. The oocyte plays a leading role in regulating follicular cell development and function including growth and proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, steroidogenesis, metabolism, and cumulus expansion. By modulating these critical functions, the oocyte orchestrates the rate of follicular development and creates a favorable microenvironment essential for its own development and destiny. A better understanding of the oocyte-somatic cell regulatory loop is essential for unraveling the myths surrounding oocyte developmental competence and may provide novel therapeutic strategies for female reproductive disorders resulting from defects in oocyte-follicle cell interactions.

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Acknowledgments

Studies in this area are supported by NIH grants HD33438 and HD32067 (to M. M. M.) and NIH grant HD073756 and Texas A&M new faculty start-up funds (to Q. L.).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Pathology and Immunology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, and Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Martin M. Matzuk M.D., Ph.D.

  2. Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, 4458 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, USA

    Qinglei Li M.D., Ph.D.

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  1. Martin M. Matzuk M.D., Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Qinglei Li M.D., Ph.D. .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. BIOGENESI, Instituti Clinici Zucchi, Via Zucchi 24, Monza, 20900, Italy

    Giovanni Coticchio

  2. University of Kansas Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd, Kansas City, 66160, USA

    David F. Albertini

  3. Ospedale S. Raffaele, Department of Ob/Gyn, University Vita-Salute, Via Olgettina 60, Milan, 20132, Italy

    Lucia De Santis

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Matzuk, M.M., Li, Q. (2013). How the Oocyte Influences Follicular Cell Function and Why. In: Coticchio, G., Albertini, D., De Santis, L. (eds) Oogenesis. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-85729-826-3_6

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