Combating ovarian aging depends on the use of existing ovarian follicles, not on putative oogonial stem cells

Reproduction. 2013 Oct 21;146(6):R229-33. doi: 10.1530/REP-13-0202. Print 2013 Dec.

Abstract

Ovarian aging is characterized by both a reduction in egg quality and a drastic reduction in the number of ovarian follicles. It has been generally accepted for 60 years that a fixed population of primordial follicles is established in the ovaries during early life, and in most mammalian species, oocytes cannot renew themselves in postnatal or adult life. This dogma, however, has been challenged over the past decade. In this review, we summarize the recent studies on primordial follicles and putative oogonial stem cells and discuss what resources in the ovary might be more reliable and promising source tools for combating ovarian aging.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Adult Stem Cells / physiology*
  • Aging / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Biomedical Research / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Ovarian Follicle / cytology*
  • Ovary / cytology
  • Ovary / physiology*
  • Primary Ovarian Insufficiency / prevention & control*