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Expression of Stem and Germ Cell Markers Within Nonfollicle Structures in Adult Mouse Ovary

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Abstract

Recent studies have suggested that germline stem cells may generate new follicles in the adult murine ovary. In this study, the authors use a pou5f1—enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) transgenic mouse model to study the expression of stem and germ cell markers in adult murine ovaries. Immunohistochemical analyses and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were performed to detect the expression of mouse vasa homologue, stem cells factor receptor, stage-specific embryonic antigen 1, synaptonemal complex proteins, disrupted meiotic, and growth differentiation factor—9 in GFP + ovarian tissues. GFP + cell aggregates of nonfollicle structures were identified and isolated from adult B6.CBA-Tg(pou5f1-EGFP)2Mnn/J transgenic mouse ovaries. This study shows the presence of cell aggregates that are distinct from ovarian follicles and are coexpressing germline and stem cell surface markers in adult murine ovaries. These cell aggregates may represent a mixed population of germ cells and germline stem cells. Further research is necessary to evaluate the plasticity of the potential stem cell population in these cell aggregates.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA

    Dong Zhang PhD, Willie D. Zoma MD, Salama A. Salama PhD, Melissa J. Wentz PhD & Ayman Al-Hendy MD, PhD, FRCSC, FACOG

  2. Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA

    Hala Fouad MD, PhD

Authors
  1. Dong Zhang PhD
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  2. Hala Fouad MD, PhD
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  3. Willie D. Zoma MD
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  4. Salama A. Salama PhD
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  5. Melissa J. Wentz PhD
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  6. Ayman Al-Hendy MD, PhD, FRCSC, FACOG
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ayman Al-Hendy MD, PhD, FRCSC, FACOG.

Additional information

This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health grant R21 HD 046639. The authors thank Dr Larry Denner (University of Texas Medical Branch), Dr Alex Rajkovic (Baylor College of Medicine), and Dr Gloria I. Perez (Michigan State University) for their valuable review of the article.

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Zhang, D., Fouad, H., Zoma, W.D. et al. Expression of Stem and Germ Cell Markers Within Nonfollicle Structures in Adult Mouse Ovary. Reprod. Sci. 15, 139–146 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1177/1933719107310708

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1933719107310708

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