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Defining the cell and molecular origins of the primate ovarian reserve

Author

Listed:
  • Sissy E. Wamaitha

    (University of California Los Angeles
    University of California, Los Angeles
    Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles)

  • Ernesto J. Rojas

    (University of California, San Francisco
    University of California, San Francisco)

  • Francesco Monticolo

    (Harvard Medical School)

  • Fei-man Hsu

    (University of California Los Angeles
    University of California, Los Angeles
    Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles)

  • Enrique Sosa

    (University of California Los Angeles
    University of California, Los Angeles
    Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles)

  • Amanda M. Mackie

    (University of California Los Angeles)

  • Kiana Oyama

    (Oregon National Primate Research Center)

  • Maggie Custer

    (Oregon National Primate Research Center)

  • Melinda Murphy

    (Oregon National Primate Research Center)

  • Diana J. Laird

    (University of California, San Francisco
    University of California, San Francisco)

  • Jian Shu

    (Harvard Medical School
    Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard)

  • Jon D. Hennebold

    (Oregon National Primate Research Center
    Oregon Health & Science University)

  • Amander T. Clark

    (University of California Los Angeles
    University of California, Los Angeles
    Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles)

Abstract

The primate ovarian reserve is established during late fetal development and consists of quiescent primordial follicles in the ovarian cortex each composed of granulosa cells surrounding an oocyte in dictate. As late stages of fetal development are not routinely accessible using human tissues, the current study exploits the evolutionary proximity of the rhesus macaque to investigate follicle formation in primates. Like in humans, the rhesus prenatal ovary develops multiple types of pre-granulosa cells in time and space, with primordial follicles deriving from later emerging pre-granulosa subtypes. In addition, our work shows that activated medullary follicles recruit fetal theca cells to establish a two-cell system for sex-steroid hormone production prior to birth, providing a cell-based explanation for mini puberty.

Suggested Citation

  • Sissy E. Wamaitha & Ernesto J. Rojas & Francesco Monticolo & Fei-man Hsu & Enrique Sosa & Amanda M. Mackie & Kiana Oyama & Maggie Custer & Melinda Murphy & Diana J. Laird & Jian Shu & Jon D. Hennebold, 2025. "Defining the cell and molecular origins of the primate ovarian reserve," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-17, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-62702-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-62702-0
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