Germ stem cells in the mammalian adult ovary: considerations by a fan of the primordial germ cells

Mol Hum Reprod. 2010 Sep;16(9):632-6. doi: 10.1093/molehr/gaq006. Epub 2010 Jan 19.

Abstract

At or early after birth, mammalian ovaries are filled with primordial follicles each composed by an oocyte blocked at the end of prophase I surrounded by a single layer of granulosa cells. The doctrine that female mammals are born with a finite number of oocytes fated to be exhausted with the age has been challenged by recent results claiming that new oocytes can be continuously formed in the post-natal mouse ovary. In my view, this notion, termed neo-oogenesis, is strictly linked to the process of the germline specification which presents unique features. Therefore, in the present paper, I am going to discuss two aspects of neo-oogenesis related to this process: first, evidence showing that adult mammalian ovary contains cells able to undergo germline specification and produce new oocytes; and second, the possible origin of such cells. In conclusion, I favour the possibility that a small number of primordial germ cells (PGCs)/oogonia or of PGC-derived undifferentiated cells with stem cell characteristics could remain in the post-natal ovary and under certain conditions may resume mitosis, enter meiosis and give rise to oocytes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult Stem Cells / physiology*
  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • Cell Lineage
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Meiosis
  • Mitosis
  • Oocytes / physiology*
  • Oogenesis*
  • Ovarian Follicle / cytology
  • Ovarian Follicle / physiology*
  • Ovary / cytology
  • Ovary / physiology*