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Related Concept Videos

Folliculogenesis01:20

Folliculogenesis

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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...
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Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle01:30

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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...
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Oogenesis02:07

Oogenesis

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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...
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Oogenesis01:22

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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...
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Ovarian Cycle01:27

Ovarian Cycle

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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...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 29, 2026

Collection of Human Follicular Fluid, Follicle Somatic Cells, and Immature Oocytes from Individuals Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization
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Collection of Human Follicular Fluid, Follicle Somatic Cells, and Immature Oocytes from Individuals Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization

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Bioengineering the ovarian follicle microenvironment.

Lonnie D Shea1, Teresa K Woodruff, Ariella Shikanov

  • 1Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering.

Annual Review of Biomedical Engineering
|May 23, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Tissue engineering offers a novel solution for cancer patients facing infertility. This approach aims to mature immature ovarian follicles, enabling fertility restoration through advanced cell culture or transplantation techniques.

Keywords:
biomaterialinfertilityoncofertilityoocytetissue engineeringtransplantation

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Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation can cause infertility.
  • Current fertility preservation methods (e.g., egg/embryo cryopreservation) are not universally applicable.
  • Ovarian tissue cryopreservation is an option, but requires in vitro maturation of early-stage follicles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the application of tissue engineering for ovarian follicle maturation.
  • To explore methods for producing mature oocytes from cryopreserved ovarian tissue.
  • To identify emerging opportunities in reproductive biology for fertility preservation.

Main Methods:

  • Application of tissue engineering principles to ovarian follicle culture.
  • Development of engineered systems for in vitro maturation of oocytes.
  • Evaluation of engineered systems for potential transplantation.

Main Results:

  • Tissue engineering provides a framework for overcoming limitations in current oocyte maturation techniques.
  • Engineered systems show promise for maturing early-stage ovarian follicles.
  • This approach facilitates the production of functional oocytes for fertility restoration.

Conclusions:

  • Tissue engineering is a promising strategy to restore fertility in cancer survivors.
  • Advanced in vitro culture and transplantation methods are being developed.
  • This field presents significant opportunities for reproductive medicine advancements.