Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Folliculogenesis01:20

Folliculogenesis

Folliculogenesis is the development of ovarian follicles, the specialized structures within the ovarian cortex where oogenesis, or egg development, occurs. This process is essential for female reproductive health and begins during fetal development when primordial follicles are formed. Each primordial follicle comprises a primary oocyte in the center, surrounded by a single layer of squamous pre-granulosa cells. These follicles remain dormant in late prophase I of meiosis until triggered by...
Oogenesis02:07

Oogenesis

In human women, oogenesis produces one mature egg cell or ovum for every precursor cell that enters meiosis. This process differs in two unique ways from the equivalent procedure of spermatogenesis in males. First, meiotic divisions during oogenesis are asymmetric, meaning that a large oocyte (containing most of the cytoplasm) and minor polar body are produced as a result of meiosis I, and again following meiosis II. Since only oocytes will go on to form embryos if fertilized, this unequal...
Oogenesis01:22

Oogenesis

Oogenesis,  the process of developing egg cells (female gametes), occurs within the ovaries and is fundamental to female fertility. This sequence begins during fetal development when diploid oogonia in the developing ovaries undergo mitotic divisions to produce primary oocytes. By birth, these primary oocytes enter prophase I of meiosis but become arrested in this stage, remaining suspended until puberty.
Each primary oocyte is surrounded by a layer of pre-granulosa cells, forming what is known...
Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle01:30

Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle

The ovarian cycle is meticulously regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. This cycle orchestrates the release of a mature oocyte, essential for reproduction.
Before puberty, the hypothalamus releases GnRH in a low frequency, low amplitude pulsatile manner. This along with the immature hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity, results in low estrogen levels and the absence of a fully functional ovarian cycle.  At puberty, GnRH secretion increases in both frequency and...
Ovarian Cycle01:27

Ovarian Cycle

The menstrual cycle includes a critical component known as the ovarian cycle, which undergoes two main phases each month—the follicular phase and the luteal phase. The follicular phase is variable and averaging around 14 days. Ovulation, triggered by a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH), marks the transition between the two phases. The second phase, the luteal phase, is relatively consistent, lasting approximately 14 days, and is marked by the activity of the corpus luteum. While a cycle length...
Role of Hematopoietic Growth Factors01:28

Role of Hematopoietic Growth Factors

Hematopoietic growth factors are molecules that regulate the differentiation rate of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Erythropoietin (EPO), primarily produced by the kidneys, plays a crucial role in erythrocyte production. When oxygen levels in the blood are low, EPO is released into the bloodstream, reaching the bone marrow, where it stimulates HSCs to differentiate and mature into erythrocytes, which are vital for oxygen transport.
Thrombopoietin (TPO), mainly released by the liver,...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

NEDDylation maintains oocyte quality by stabilizing mitochondrial transcription.

Science advances·2026
Same author

A Mouse Model of Lipoatrophy Reveals Relationships Between Beige Fat Appearance and Female Fertility.

Endocrinology·2025
Same author

The aging ovary stands on the shoulders of giant multinucleated cells.

PLoS biology·2025
Same author

Disruption of oocyte SUMOylation impacts critical regulatory processes during folliculogenesis in mice†.

Biology of reproduction·2025
Same author

Myostatin's flex on the reproductive hormone axis.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2025
Same author

Contributions of white adipose tissue to energy requirements for female reproduction.

Trends in endocrinology and metabolism: TEM·2024

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Ovarian Tissue Culture to Visualize Phenomena in Mouse Ovary
04:30

Ovarian Tissue Culture to Visualize Phenomena in Mouse Ovary

Published on: June 19, 2018

Growth factors in ovarian development.

Stephanie A Pangas1

  • 1Department of Pathology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA. spangas@bcm.edu

Seminars in Reproductive Medicine
|June 28, 2007
PubMed
Summary

This review covers key signaling pathways, including transforming growth factor beta, Hedgehog, Wnt, and Notch, crucial for adult mammalian ovary folliculogenesis and oocyte development.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive biology and developmental signaling pathways in mammals.

Background:

  • Folliculogenesis involves the progression of ovarian follicles from primordial to mature stages, leading to oocyte release and corpus luteum formation.
  • Oocyte growth and somatic cell differentiation within the follicle are regulated by multiple developmental pathways.
  • Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) family members are established key regulators in follicle development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in understanding the roles of Hedgehog, Wnt, and Notch signaling pathways in adult mammalian ovarian folliculogenesis.
  • To highlight the contribution of these pathways to oocyte and follicle somatic cell development.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on folliculogenesis and growth factor signaling in the adult mammalian ovary.

More Related Videos

Production and Use of Customizable Agarose Molds for Scaffold-Free Mouse Ovarian Follicle Culture
09:50

Production and Use of Customizable Agarose Molds for Scaffold-Free Mouse Ovarian Follicle Culture

Published on: October 24, 2025

Gene Expression Analyses in Human Follicles
09:09

Gene Expression Analyses in Human Follicles

Published on: February 17, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Ovarian Tissue Culture to Visualize Phenomena in Mouse Ovary
04:30

Ovarian Tissue Culture to Visualize Phenomena in Mouse Ovary

Published on: June 19, 2018

Production and Use of Customizable Agarose Molds for Scaffold-Free Mouse Ovarian Follicle Culture
09:50

Production and Use of Customizable Agarose Molds for Scaffold-Free Mouse Ovarian Follicle Culture

Published on: October 24, 2025

Gene Expression Analyses in Human Follicles
09:09

Gene Expression Analyses in Human Follicles

Published on: February 17, 2023

  • Synthesis of findings related to Hedgehog, Wnt, and Notch pathway involvement.

    • Main Results:

    • Recent research has elucidated the significant roles of Hedgehog, Wnt, and Notch signaling pathways in regulating folliculogenesis.
    • These pathways interact with established factors like TGF-β to control oocyte and follicle cell development.

    Conclusions:

    • Hedgehog, Wnt, and Notch signaling pathways are critical regulators of adult mammalian ovarian function.
    • Further investigation into these pathways will enhance our understanding of reproductive biology and potential therapeutic targets.