The ovary: basic biology and clinical implications

2010/04/01 by JoAnne S. Richards, Stephanie A. Pangas · 2 citations
Medicine · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Reproductive Biology and Fertility #Ovarian function and disorders #Genetic and Clinical Aspects of Sex Determination and Chromosomal Abnormalities

paper · pdf · doi:10.1172/jci41350

openalex publication_date 2010/04/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01

Abstract

The classical view of ovarian follicle development is that it is regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, in which gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) controls the release of the gonadotropic hormones follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), and that ovarian steroids exert both negative and positive regulatory effects on GnRH secretion. More recent studies in mice and humans indicate that many other intra-ovarian signaling cascades affect follicular development and gonadotropin action in a stage- and context-specific manner. As we discuss here, mutant mouse models and clinical evidence indicate that some of the most powerful intra-ovarian regulators of follicular development include the TGF-beta/SMAD, WNT/FZD/beta-catenin, and RAS/ERK1/2 signaling pathways and the FOXO/FOXL2 transcription factors.

Citations

• Role of the Epidermal Growth Factor Network in Ovarian Follicles
• Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Stimulates Phosphorylation and Activation of Protein Kinase B (PKB/Akt) and Serum and Glucocorticoid-Induced Kinase (Sgk): Evidence for A Kinase-Independent Signaling by FSH in Granulosa Cells
• Gene Expression Profiles of Cumulus Cell Oocyte Complexes during Ovulation Reveal Cumulus Cells Express Neuronal and Immune-Related Genes: Does this Expand Their Role in the Ovulation Process?

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