Authors: Suzumori, Nobuhiro; Pangas, Stephanie A.; Rajkovic, Aleksandar

Source: Current Medicinal Chemistry, Volume 14, Number 3, February 2007 , pp. 353-357(5)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

Abstract:

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is defined as the cessation of ovarian function under the age of 40 years and is characterized by amenorrhea, hypoestrogenism, and elevated serum gonadotropin concentrations. POF affects 1% of all women and occurs in approximately 0.1% before the age of 30 years. To date, mutations associated with POF have been identified in a small number of genes, including those encoding inhibinα (INHA), the FSH receptor and the LH/chorio gonadotrophin receptor. Germ cell specific genes such as Gdf9, Bmp15, and Rfpl4 may also play important roles in human oogenesis. Transcription factors that regulate oocyte gene expression in animal models and include Nobox, Taf4b, Figla, Lhx8, Sohlh1 and Sohlh2 are likely to be key mediators of fertility in humans. In this review, after summarizing the general background on human POF, we focus on insights gained from the animal models with regards to mammalian folliculogenesis. Studies in animal models provide new candidate genes for ovarian failure in humans.

Keywords: Folliculogenesis; infertility; oocyte; ovarian failure; POF

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986707779941087

Affiliations: 1: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan.

Publication date: 2007-02-01

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