File talk:Model of human fetal ovarian cord development 01.jpg

Development of the follicular basement membrane during human gametogenesis and early folliculogenesis

BMC Dev Biol. 2015 Jan 21;15(1):4. doi: 10.1186/s12861-015-0054-0.

Heeren AM1,2,3, van Iperen L4, Klootwijk DB5, de Melo Bernardo A6, Roost MS7, Gomes Fernandes MM8, Louwe LA9, Hilders CG10, Helmerhorst FM11, van der Westerlaken LA12, Chuva de Sousa Lopes SM13,14.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In society, there is a clear need to improve the success rate of techniques to restore fertility. Therefore a deeper knowledge of the dynamics of the complex molecular environment that regulates human gametogenesis and (early) folliculogenesis in vivo is necessary. Here, we have studied these processes focusing on the formation of the follicular basement membrane (BM) in vivo. RESULTS: The distribution of the main components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) collagen IV, laminin and fibronectin by week 10 of gestation (W10) in the ovarian cortex revealed the existence of ovarian cords and of a distinct mesenchymal compartment, resembling the organization in the male gonads. By W17, the first primordial follicles were assembled individually in that (cortical) mesenchymal compartment and were already encapsulated by a BM of collagen IV and laminin, but not fibronectin. In adults, in the primary and secondary follicles, collagen IV, laminin and to a lesser extent fibronectin were prominent in the follicular BM. CONCLUSIONS: The ECM-molecular niche compartimentalizes the female gonads from the time of germ cell colonization until adulthood. This knowledge may contribute to improve methods to recreate the environment needed for successful folliculogenesis in vitro and that would benefit a large number of infertility patients.

PMID 25605128