Paracrine mechanisms of ovarian follicle apoptosis

It has become evident that the physiological removal of cells through apoptosis during embryonic and postnatal development of multicellular organisms is a mandatory process to maintain a homeostatic state of the individual. In the ovary, massive cell death occurs during neonatal and postnatal life a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of reproductive immunology 1998-08, Vol.39 (1), p.63-75
Main Authors: Chun, Sang-Young, Hsueh, Aaron J.W
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Actins - physiology
Animals
Apoptosis
Atresia
Biological and medical sciences
Cyclic AMP - physiology
Cytokines - physiology
DNA Fragmentation
Female
Follicles
Follicular Atresia
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Human Growth Hormone - physiology
Humans
Insulin-Like Growth Factor I - physiology
Mammalian female genital system
Morphology. Physiology
Ovarian Follicle - cytology
Ovarian Follicle - physiology
Ovary
Vertebrates: reproduction
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Summary:It has become evident that the physiological removal of cells through apoptosis during embryonic and postnatal development of multicellular organisms is a mandatory process to maintain a homeostatic state of the individual. In the ovary, massive cell death occurs during neonatal and postnatal life as an integral part of the normal ovarian development. At birth, mammalian ovaries are endowed with a fixed number of non-growing follicles that will be gradually recruited into a growing pool during reproductive life. Once follicles start growth they are either selected for ovulation or, for the majority of them, removed by apoptosis. Thus, removal of excess ovarian cells by apoptosis is necessary for normal development of the ovary. Despite the important role of follicle atresia in the maintenance of normal follicle development, studies on the hormonal control of follicle cell demise during follicle growth have not been possible until the recent development of apoptosis detection methods. Recent biochemical analysis has revealed the occurrence of internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, a hallmark of apoptosis, in atretic follicles and has facilitated the investigation into the intra-ovarian hormonal regulation of follicle atresia. This review summarizes the recent advances in the intra-ovarian hormonal mechanisms that control follicle apoptosis.
ISSN:0165-0378
1872-7603
DOI:10.1016/S0165-0378(98)00013-8