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Ovarian Tissue Culture to Visualize Phenomena in Mouse Ovary
Published on: June 19, 2018
BAX regulates follicular endowment in mice
Chuck R Greenfeld1, Melissa E Pepling, Janice K Babus
1Department of Physiology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
Reproduction (Cambridge, England)
|July 10, 2007
Summary
The proapoptotic Bcl-2 associated X protein (BAX) regulates the number of ovarian follicles. Deleting BAX increases ovarian follicle numbers, impacting fertility and reproductive longevity.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Mammalian ovarian follicle endowment is finite, impacting fertility and reproductive longevity.
- Apoptosis plays a key role in follicular endowment, regulated by specific genes.
- Conflicting data exist regarding the proapoptotic Bcl-2 associated X protein (BAX)'s role.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of BAX in regulating follicular endowment in embryonic and neonatal mouse ovaries.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of wild-type and Bax knockout (Bax -/-) mouse ovaries.
- Assessment of oocyte and follicle numbers during embryonic and neonatal development.
- Evaluation of germ cell viability, PGC allotment, meiosis onset, and oogonia proliferation.
Main Results:
- Bax deletion resulted in significantly increased oocyte numbers in embryonic ovaries and follicle numbers in neonatal ovaries.
- Increased follicular endowment in Bax -/- ovaries was not attributed to enhanced germ cell viability, PGC allotment, delayed meiosis, or altered oogonia proliferation.
- Data suggest BAX's regulatory role in follicular endowment occurs during primordial germ cell (PGC) migration.
Conclusions:
- BAX is a key regulator of follicular endowment in mice.
- The function of BAX in this process appears to be linked to primordial germ cell migration before gonad colonization.
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