title: Ovarian regeneration: The potential for stem cell contribution in the postnatal ovary to sustained endocrine function.
abstract: The endocrine function of the ovary is dependent upon the ovarian follicle, which on a cellular basis consists of an oocyte surrounded by adjacent somatic cells responsible for generating sex steroid hormones and maintenance of hormonal stasis with the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. As females age, both fertility and the endocrine function of the ovary decline due to waning follicle numbers as well as aging-related cellular dysfunction. Although there is currently no cure for ovarian failure and endocrine disruption, recent advances in ovarian biology centered on ovarian stem cell and progenitor cell populations have brought the prospects of cell- or tissue-based therapeutic strategies closer to fruition. Herein, we review the relative contributions of ovarian stem cells to ovarian function during the reproductive lifespan, and postulate steps toward the development of ovarian stem cell-based approaches to advance fertility treatments, and also importantly to provide a physiological long-term means of endocrine support.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Laboratory of Aging and Infertility Research, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Alisha M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Truman
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Laboratory of Aging and Infertility Research, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Jonathan L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Tilly
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Laboratory of Aging and Infertility Research, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA. Electronic address: d.woods@northeastern.edu.
authors.forename: Dori C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Woods
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000378:metabolism*; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D010053:Ovary / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016649:Primary Ovarian Insufficiency / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D012038:Regeneration; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D013799:Theca Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones
keywords: Female germline stem cell; Granulosa cell; OSC; Ovary; Stem cells