1
|
Wei F, Fan X, del Valle JS, Asseler JD, van der Meeren LE, Cheng H, Roelen BAJ, Louwe LA, Pilgram GSK, van der Westerlaken LAJ, van Mello NM, Chuva de Sousa Lopes SM. Classification of Atretic Small Antral Follicles in the Human Ovary. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16846. [PMID: 38069168 PMCID: PMC10706134 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The reproductive lifespan in humans is regulated by a delicate cyclical balance between follicular recruitment and atresia in the ovary. The majority of the small antral follicles present in the ovary are progressively lost through atresia without reaching dominance, but this process remains largely underexplored. In our study, we investigated the characteristics of atretic small antral follicles and proposed a classification system based on molecular changes observed in granulosa cells, theca cells, and extracellular matrix deposition. Our findings revealed that atresia spreads in the follicle with wave-like dynamics, initiating away from the cumulus granulosa cells. We also observed an enrichment of CD68+ macrophages in the antrum during the progression of follicular atresia. This work not only provides criteria for classifying three stages of follicular atresia in small antral follicles in the human ovary but also serves as a foundation for understanding follicular degeneration and ultimately preventing or treating premature ovarian failure. Understanding follicular remodeling in the ovary could provide a means to increase the number of usable follicles and delay the depletion of the follicular reserve, increasing the reproductive lifespan.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fu Wei
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands; (F.W.); (X.F.); (J.S.d.V.)
| | - Xueying Fan
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands; (F.W.); (X.F.); (J.S.d.V.)
| | - Julieta S. del Valle
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands; (F.W.); (X.F.); (J.S.d.V.)
| | - Joyce D. Asseler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (J.D.A.); (N.M.v.M.)
- Amsterdam UMC, Centre of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lotte E. van der Meeren
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands;
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hui Cheng
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands; (F.W.); (X.F.); (J.S.d.V.)
| | - Bernard A. J. Roelen
- Anatomy and Physiology, Department Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands;
| | - Leoni A. Louwe
- Department of Gynaecology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (L.A.L.); (G.S.K.P.); (L.A.J.v.d.W.)
| | - Gonneke S. K. Pilgram
- Department of Gynaecology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands; (L.A.L.); (G.S.K.P.); (L.A.J.v.d.W.)
| | | | - Norah M. van Mello
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (J.D.A.); (N.M.v.M.)
- Amsterdam UMC, Centre of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Susana M. Chuva de Sousa Lopes
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZC Leiden, The Netherlands; (F.W.); (X.F.); (J.S.d.V.)
- Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Delsouc MB, Della Vedova MC, Ramírez D, Delgado SM, Casais M. The production of nitric oxide in the coeliac ganglion modulates the effect of cholinergic neurotransmission on the rat ovary during the preovulatory period. Nitric Oxide 2018; 75:85-94. [PMID: 29501650 DOI: 10.1016/j.niox.2018.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Revised: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the present work was to investigate whether the nitric oxide produced by the nitric oxide/nitric oxide synthase (NO/NOS) system present in the coeliac ganglion modulates the effects of cholinergic innervation on oxidative status, steroidogenesis and apoptotic mechanisms that take place in the rat ovary during the first proestrous. An ex vivo Coeliac Ganglion- Superior Ovarian Nerve- Ovary (CG-SON-O) system was used. Cholinergic stimulation of the CG was achieved by 10-6 M Acetylcholine (Ach). Furthermore, 400 μM Aminoguanidine (AG) - an inhibitor of inducible-NOS was added in the CG compartment in absence and presence of Ach. It was found that Ach in the CG compartment promotes apoptosis in ovarian tissue, probably due to the oxidative stress generated. AG in the CG compartment decreases the release of NO and progesterone, and increases the release of estradiol from the ovary. The CG co-treatment with Ach and AG counteracts the effects of the ganglionic cholinergic agonist on ovarian oxidative stress, increases hormone production and decreases Fas mRNA expression. These results suggest that NO is an endogenous modulator of cholinergic neurotransmission in CG, with implication in ovarian steroidogenesis and the apoptotic mechanisms that take place in the ovary during the preovulatory period in rats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- María B Delsouc
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción (LABIR), Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, San Luis, Argentina; Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis (IMIBIO-SL), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
| | - María C Della Vedova
- Laboratorio de Medicina Experimental y Traduccional (LME&T), Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, San Luis, Argentina; Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis (IMIBIO-SL), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
| | - Darío Ramírez
- Laboratorio de Medicina Experimental y Traduccional (LME&T), Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, San Luis, Argentina; Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis (IMIBIO-SL), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
| | - Silvia M Delgado
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción (LABIR), Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, San Luis, Argentina
| | - Marilina Casais
- Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción (LABIR), Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, San Luis, Argentina; Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis (IMIBIO-SL), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Maillet G, Féral C, Benhaïm A. [Apoptosis of the follicular cells: its implication in ovarian induction protocols]. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 33:653-8. [PMID: 16137911 DOI: 10.1016/j.gyobfe.2005.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2005] [Accepted: 06/13/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Atresia, a degenerative process through which many follicles are removed from the grown pool of follicles involves apoptotic changes in the follicular cells. This review analyses the endocrine regulation of apoptotic cell death in ovarian follicle. FSH is the major survival factor for preovulatory follicle but follicle integrity, in vitro, was necessary to its action on granulosa cell. The role of LH is more ambivalent. FSH and LH exert their activity via activation of the cAMP signal. High levels of intracellular cAMP could enhance steroidogenesis and in the same time induce apoptosis in granulosa cells. Moreover, no correlation between steroidogenesis and apoptosis can be established. During ovarian stimulation in IVF protocol, the use of LH, of coasting and of GnRH agonists and antagonists could be deleterious in follicle survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Maillet
- EA 2608-USC Inra, IBFA, sciences C, université de Caen, esplanade de la Paix, 14033 Caen, France
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Wang L, Zhu YF, Guo XJ, Huo R, Ma X, Lin M, Zhou ZM, Sha JH. A two-dimensional electrophoresis reference map of human ovary. J Mol Med (Berl) 2005; 83:812-21. [PMID: 16021519 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-005-0676-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2004] [Accepted: 04/21/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The ovary plays a central role in oogenesis and gonadal hormone secretion. Proteomic analysis is a valuable approach for gaining an increased understanding of the molecular nature of the ovary. In this work, two-dimensional electrophoresis for protein separation followed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry and database searches, identified 231 protein spots corresponding to 138 individual proteins that were found in gels representing both the follicular and luteal phases. The data were used to construct a database online (http://reprod.njmu.edu.cn/2d). The identified proteins were functionally classified into seven groups: (1) cell signaling/communication, (2) cell division, (3) gene/protein expression, (4) metabolism, (5) cell structure and motility, (6) cell/organism defense, and (7) unclassified. Among the proteins identified, 47% had not been previously reported in the human ovary. In addition, a number of disease-related proteins were identified in this protein map, including some cancer- and polycystic ovarian syndrome-related proteins. Two proteins with phosphorylation were verified by Western blot analysis. Comparison of protein abundance between follicular and luteal stages produced seven protein spots that had been identified in our database. This study provides a preliminary reference map of normal human ovary that will form a basis for comparative studies on normal and pathological conditions of the human ovary and may serve as a potential tool for clinical diagnosis, therapeutics, and prognosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wang
- Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Clark LJ, Irving-Rodgers HF, Dharmarajan AM, Rodgers RJ. Theca Interna: The Other Side of Bovine Follicular Atresia1. Biol Reprod 2004; 71:1071-8. [PMID: 15175236 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.104.029652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, histological classifications of ovarian follicular atresia are almost exclusively based on the morphology of the membrana granulosa without reference to the theca interna. Atresia in the bovine small antral ovarian follicle has been redefined into antral or basal atresia where cell death commences initially within antral or basal regions of the membrana granulosa, respectively. To examine cell death in the theca interna in the two types of atretic follicles, bovine ovaries were collected and processed for immunohistochemistry and light microscopy. Follicles were classified as healthy, antral atretic, or basal atretic. Follicle diameter was recorded and sections stained with lectin from Bandeiraea simplicifolia to identify endothelial cells or with an antibody to cytochrome P450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage to identify steroidogenic cells and combined with TUNEL labeling to identify dead cells. The numerical density of steroidogenic cells within the theca interna was significantly reduced (P < 0.001) in basal atretic follicles in comparison with other follicles. Cell death was greater in both endothelial cells (P < 0.05) and steroidogenic cells (P < 0.01) of the theca interna of basal atretic follicles compared with healthy and antral atretic follicles. Thus, we conclude that the theca interna is susceptible to cell death early in atresia, particularly in basal atretic follicles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leigh J Clark
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|