Oogenesis/Folliculogenesis Flashcards
Embryo cleavage stage cells are ___potent
Totipotent
Can form any type of cell, including extra-embryonic membranes
Primordial germ cells
- Pluripotent (can form all body cell types)
- Extra-gonadal origin
- Migrate to gonads (while proliferating)
- Gamete precursors: give rise to oogonia vs spermatogonia in ovaries vs testes
Blastocyst stage = differentiation into 2 cell types:
- Trophoblast
- ICM
What are the 2 differentiated layers of the ICM?
Inner epiblast/embryonic ectoderm
Outer primitive extra-embryonic visceral endoderm
Where do PGCs arise from?
Inner epiblast/embryonic ectoderm of the ICM
When do PGCs within the primary ectoderm detach/migrate into the extra-embryonic yolk sac near the base of the allantois?
2-4 weeks s/p fertilization
When do fetal membranes start forming at the implantation site?
15 days post-fertilization
Migration of PGCs begins at ___ weeks gestation:
- First migrate to yolk sac > pass hindgut > via dorsal mesentery > dorsal wall (split to R/L sides)
By ___ weeks gestation:
- Reach presumptive gonad region (final destination)
- Induce formation of genital ridge (primordial gonads)
*Remember: during migration, PGCs proliferate from 30-50 cells > 1-2K cells at genital ridge
5-6 weeks gestation
6-12 weeks gestation
What do PGCs look like?
What are their molecular markers?
Large
Spherical
Pale cytoplasm (high glycogen granule content)
Molecular markers: TNAP, PAS, OCT4, VASA, c-KIT
PGCs initially form as clusters held together by ___
Adhesion molecules:
- Cadherins
- Integrins
What paracrine factors inspire PGC differentiation from the ICM epiblast?
Bone morphogenic protein (BMP4) from the extra-embryonic ectoderm bind SMAD proteins on PGCs
What do competent PGCs in the epiblast secrete?
- Fragilis –> which then induces
- Blimp1
- Stella
What is the ligand for the integrin receptor on PGCs that aids in migration to the gonads?
Fibronectin (in the extracellular matrix on the migration pathway)
Other ECM molecules that aid in PGC migration: laminin, collagen, tenascin
How does the gonadal ridge itself induce PGC migration?
Release chemoattractants (TGF-beta)
What genetic reprogramming occurs in PGCs during migration to the genital ridge?
- Achieve pluripotent status
- Epigenetic modification (resets genomic imprinting)
What are the primitive sex cords made of?
Primitive sex cords are swellings (primitive gonads) on each side of the mesonephros
Coelomic (germinal) epithelium and mesonephros (embryonic kidney) that migrate alongside PGCs into the gonadal ridge form the sex cords
What determines sex differentiation of the primitive sex cords?
SRY on Y chromosome
Which factors direct the bipotential gonad > ovary?
> testes?
Ovary:
- DAX1
- WNT4
Testes:
- SOX9
- SRY
Describe the primordial follicle
- Primary oocyte: arrested in meiosis I, prophase I, diplotene stage
- Surrounded by single layer of flattened, pre-granulosa cells
**Since mitosis completes in fetal life, at birth, there are NO oogonia (all are primary oocytes)
Oogonia –> Primary oocyte
Complete mitosis in the gonadal ridge during fetal life –>
Oogonia become primary oocytes arrested in meiosis I, prophase I
What is the longest stage of folliculogenesis?
Primordial follicle (may stay in this stage x 50 years)
When is the maximum number of primordial follicles reached, and how many is this?
6-7 million primordial follicles by 16-20 weeks gestation
How many primordial follicles by birth?
1-2 million
How large are primordial follicles?
Primary follicles?
Pre-antral follicles?
Antral follicles?
Graafian follicles?
Primordial follicles: 30-60 um in diameter (contain primary oocytes with diameter 9-25 um)
Primary follicles: (contain primary oocytes with diameter 60-120 um)
Pre-antral follicles: (contain primary oocytes with diameter > 120 um)
Antral follicles: 200-400 um
Graafian follicles: 2 cm
What is the first sign of follicle growth?
- Primordial follicles increase in oocyte size
- Then, granulosa cells become more cuboidal
- Gonadotropin-independent growth
Describe a primary follicle
- Primary oocyte (larger)
- Surrounded by > or = 15 cuboidal granulosa cells
- Separated by basal lamina
Describe a pre-antral (secondary) follicle
- Still primary oocytes (larger)
- Surrounded by > 1 layer of granulosa cells
- Zona pellucida forms
- Gap junctions between oocytes and granulosa cells
- Theca cells form