Chapter 34 - Contributions of ovarian stromal cells to follicle culture

Summary

This chapter discusses ovarian stromal cells and in-vitro follicle culture systems. The follicle is the functional unit of the ovary and is composed of a germ cell and layers of somatic cells (granulose and theca cells). Ovarian stromal cells may have significant roles in folliculogenesis, particularly in the activation of primordial follicles and the differentiation of theca cells. Early stromal cell experiments established paracrine signaling from the follicle to the stroma. In addition to paracrine signaling from the follicle to the stroma, signaling from the stroma to the follicle has been studied. Some of the most significant stromal cell experiments have been ovary organ culture experiments. These experiments culture follicles within thin fragments of ovarian stromal tissue. Most follicle culture systems have focused on isolated secondary/multilayer follicles or oocyte-granulosa cell complexes. The next logical step in the development of follicle culture systems is the integration or co-culture of stromal cells.