Hedgehog pathway inhibition causes primary follicle atresia and decreases female germline stem cell proliferation capacity or stemness.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Follicle depletion is one of the causes of premature ovarian failure (POF) and primary ovarian insufficiency (POI). Hence, maintenance of a certain number of female germline stem cells (FGSCs) is optimal to produce oocytes and replenish the primordial follicle pool. The mechanism that regulates proliferation or stemness of FGSCs could contribute to restoring ovarian function, but it remains uncharacterized in postnatal mammalian ovaries. This study aims to investigate the mechanism by which inhibiting the activity of the hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway regulates follicle development and FGSC proliferation.

Methods and results

To understand the role of the Hh pathway in ovarian aging, we measured Hh signaling activity at different reproductive ages and the correlat

SUBMITTER: Jiang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6612207 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature