Mark A. Edson1,
Ankur K. Nagaraja1 and
Martin M. Matzuk1
Departments of Pathology (M.A.E., A.K.N., M.M.M.), Molecular and Cellular Biology (M.A.E., M.M.M.), and Molecular and Human Genetics (A.K.N., M.M.M.), Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas 77030
Correspondence: Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Martin M. Matzuk, M.D., Ph.D., The Stuart A. Wallace Chair and Professor, Department of Pathology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, Texas 77030. E-mail: mmatzuk{at}bcm.edu.
Two major functions of the mammalian ovary are the productionof germ cells (oocytes), which allow continuation of the species,and the generation of bioactive molecules, primarily steroids(mainly estrogens and progestins) and peptide growth factors,which are critical for ovarian function, regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarianaxis, and development of secondary sex characteristics. Thefemale germline is created during embryogenesis when the precursorsof primordial germ cells differentiate from somatic lineagesof the embryo and take a unique route to reach the urogenitalridge. This undifferentiated gonad will differentiate alonga female pathway, and the newly formed oocytes will proliferateand subsequently enter meiosis. At this point, the oocyte hastwo alternative fates: die, a common destiny of millions ofoocytes, or be fertilized, a fate of at most approximately 100oocytes, depending on the species. At every step from germlinedevelopment and ovary formation to oogenesis and ovarian developmentand differentiation, there are coordinated interactions of hundredsof proteins and small RNAs. These studies have helped reproductivebiologists to understand not only the normal functioning ofthe ovary but also the pathophysiology and genetics of diseasessuch as infertility and ovarian cancer. Over the last two decades,parallel progress has been made in the assisted reproductivetechnology clinic including better hormonal preparations, prenatalgenetic testing, and optimal oocyte and embryo analysis andcryopreservation. Clearly, we have learned much about the mammalianovary and manipulating its most important cargo, the oocyte,since the birth of Louise Brown over 30 yr ago.
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