Current Pharmaceutical Design - Volume 18, Issue 3, 2012

The last years have witnessed a tremendous expansion of research areas related on female infertility. Starting from 1978, when Robert Edwards and Patrick Steptoe made possible to obtain live babies by in vitro fertilization (IVF), knowledge of the most intriguing molecular processes occurring in germ and somatic cells of the mammalian ovary is dramatically increased. After 1997, the year of Dolly, the use of oocytes Read More

The cell cycle of primordial germ cells (PGCs), the embryonic precursors of gametes, is characterized by a mitotic phase common to both sexes and a mitotic-meiotic switch in the female. In the present work, we will review the results obtained in the last decade by studies aimed to clarify intrinsic and extrinsic regulatory signals of such processes, with particular reference to mouse PGCs. Besides providing a better underst Read More

The production of a mature oocyte is the major function of the female gonad. This process depends on highly coordinated interplay between all the components of the ovarian follicle, i.e. the oocyte surrounded by epithelial-derived granulosa cells and mesenchymal- derived theca cells. Follicular growth and oocyte maturation are dependent primarily on pituitary-derived gonadotropins, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteini Read More

Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are successfully applied in several mammals, including humans, thanks to the ability of oocytes and embryos to face maturation, fertilization and first development in vitro. However, efficiency and safety of ART represent main issues. Mammalian oocytes and early embryos are transcriptionally inactive, and rely exclusively on maternal RNAs and proteins, deposited during oocyte g Read More

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists (GnRH-ant) are routinely used to prevent premature luteinizing hormone (LH) surges in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) programs. GnRH-ant act by competitively binding GnRH receptors (GnRHr), leading to rapid pituitary suppression. GnRH-ant can also block extrapituitary GnRHr, including those present in ovary, placenta, and endometrium. A full underst Read More

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex syndrome of unclear etiopathogenesis characterized by heterogeneity in phenotypic manifestations. The clinical phenotype of PCOS includes reproductive and hormonal aberrations, namely anovulation and hyperandrogenism, which coexist with metabolic disturbances. Reflecting the crosstalk between the reproductive system and metabolic tissues, obesity not only d Read More

The human ovary is a complex endocrine gland, which is responsible for production of different hormones and provides mature and competent oocytes for reproduction. Additionally, it produces various substances, such as growth factors and cytokines which are involved in the complex signalling pathways of folliculogenesis or oogenesis. The abnormalities of ovarian function might lead to infertility or manifestation of ag Read More

Thanks to the recent advances in cancer care, more and more young women can survive but suffer from infertility as a result of cancer treatment that had to be submitted. There are a variety of methods to preserve fertility, as chemoprotection, ovariopexy, and some assisted reproductive technologies, although some of these are promising but still highly experimental techniques. Cryopreservation of embryos for example i Read More

The female reproductive organs such as ovary, uterus, and placenta are some of the few adult tissues that exhibit regular intervals of rapid growth, and are highly vascularized and have high rates of blood flow. Angiogenesis is a process of vascular growth that is mainly limited to the reproductive system in healthy adult animals. The development of new blood vessels in the ovary and uterus is essential to guarantee th Read More

Scientists are able to advance the frontiers of human reproduction by employing a variety of molecular biological techniques to understand the biological processes intricately linked to oocyte and ovarian follicle development. Despite an abundance of knowledge concerning essential pathways which may have critical roles in oogenesis and folliculogenesis, the repertoire of medications to treat female fertility problems Read More

RNA interference, a recently discovered new mechanism controlling gene expression via small RNAs, was shown to be involved in the characterization and control of basic ovarian cell functions. The main classes of small RNAs, as well as their expression in ovaries have been described. Furthermore, the successful application of RNA interference for the study and control of basic ovarian functions (fertility, proli Read More