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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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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.
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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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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: Nov 19, 2025

A Modified Co-Culture System for Understanding Granulosa-Theca Cell Interactions in the Bovine Ovary
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Engineering Functional Rat Ovarian Spheroids Using Granulosa and Theca Cells.

Myung Jae Jeon1,2, Young Sik Choi1,3,4, Il Dong Kim5

  • 1Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27101, USA.

Reproductive Sciences (Thousand Oaks, Calif.)
|January 29, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Engineered ovarian cell spheroids offer a promising cell-based therapy alternative to menopausal hormone therapy (MHT). These constructs effectively secrete key sex steroid hormones, recapitulating ovarian endocrine function ex vivo.

Keywords:
BiomaterialsCell-based hormone replacement therapyEncapsulationGranulosa cellsOvarian spheroidsTheca cells

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Area of Science:

  • Reproductive biology
  • Cell therapy
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is effective but carries risks.
  • Cell-based therapies present a potential alternative for managing ovarian activity loss.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To construct and evaluate the endocrine function of engineered ovarian cell spheroids.
  • To assess the potential of these spheroids as an alternative to MHT.

Main Methods:

  • Isolated theca and granulosa cells from rat ovaries.
  • Fabricated multilayered and mixed ovarian cell spheroids using microwells.
  • Encapsulated spheroids in collagen gel and assessed endocrine function over 30 days.

Main Results:

  • Engineered spheroids maintained structure during culture.
  • Both spheroid types showed higher 17β-estradiol secretion than controls, increasing over time.
  • Multilayered spheroids exhibited superior 17β-estradiol and sustained progesterone secretion compared to non-layered constructs and controls.

Conclusions:

  • Developed an in vitro rat model of engineered ovarian cell spheroids.
  • Demonstrated recapitulation of ovarian endocrine function ex vivo.
  • Indicated potential for engineered ovarian spheroids in menopausal hormone therapy applications.