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Updated: Jul 17, 2025

Extraction, Labeling, and Purification of Lineage-Specific Cells from Human Antral Follicles
Published on: November 30, 2022
Paracrine regulation of granulosa cell development in the antral follicles in mammals
Koji Sugiura1, Natsumi Maruyama1, Yuki Akimoto1
1Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences The University of Tokyo Tokyo Japan.
Background:
Development of ovarian follicles is regulated by a complex interaction of intra- and extra-follicular signals. Oocyte-derived paracrine factors (ODPFs) play a central role in this process in cooperation with other signals.
Methods:
This review provides an overview of the recent advances in our understanding of the paracrine regulation of antral follicle development in mammals. It specifically focuses on the regulation of granulosa cell development by ODPFs, along with other intrafollicular signals.
Main Findings:
Bi-directional communication between oocytes and surrounding cumulus cells is a fundamental mechanism that determines cumulus cell differentiation. Along with estrogen, ODPFs promote the expression of forkhead box L2, a critical transcription factor required for mural granulosa cells. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) facilitates these processes by stimulating estrogen production in mural granulosa cells.
Conclusion:
Cooperative interactions among ODPFs, FSH, and estrogen are critical in determining the fate of cumulus and mural granulosa cells, as well as the development of oocytes.
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