Female ; Humans ; Ovarian Follicle/pathology* ; Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology*

Massive ovarian edema is a rare tumor-like condition occurring in young women; it involves enlargement of the ovary, caused by intermittent torsion of the mesovarium. Ultrasonographically, a well-defined inhomogeneous soft tissue mass lesion is seen, and this cannot be distinguished from other solid ovarian tumors. The MRI findings, seen on T1WI, are inhomogeneous high signal intensity of the central part, with peripheral low signal intensity of the mass lesion. On T2WI, the inner part of the mass shows high signal intensity and the peripheral part, low signal intensity. Ovarian follicles are arranged peripherally, and are seen as low signal intensity on T1WI, and high signal intensity on T2WI. These MR findings are specific for the diagnosis of massive ovarian edema.
Diagnosis ; Edema* ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Ovarian Follicle ; Ovary

No abstract available.
Adenosine Triphosphatases* ; Adenosine* ; Alkaline Phosphatase* ; Female ; Ovarian Follicle*

Reproductive lifespan in female mammals is related to the size of primordial follicles pool, which relies on the balance between activated and quiescent primordial follicles. Therefore, the molecular mechanisms of recruiting and maintaining quiescence of primordial follicles have become hot research topics recently. Multiple studies have shown that genetic mutations, local ovarian autocrine and paracrine factors, proto-oncogene and tumor-suppressor genes are involved in the maintenance of balance between quiescent and activated primordial follicles. In the present review, we summarize recent research progress of the important signaling molecules and pathways that maintain the quiescence of primordial follicles.
Animals ; Female ; Humans ; Ovarian Follicle ; physiology ; Signal Transduction

Objective To investigate the effects of self-made carriers on the cryopreservation of ovarian tissue of sheep. Methods Thirty-two ovaries were randomly assigned to fresh group,programmed freezing group,self-made carrier I vitrification group,and self-made carrier Ⅱ vitrification group.The morphology,proliferation,apoptosis,and estrogen level of the ovarian tissue in each group were observed. Results After cryopreservation,the morphology normal rate of the primordial follicles in programmed freezing group,self-made carrier I vitrification group,and self-made carrier Ⅱ vitrification group were 74.2%,72.8%,and 72.3%,respectively,lower than that(83.7%)in the fresh group(χ
Animals ; Cryopreservation ; Female ; Freezing ; Ovarian Follicle ; Ovary ; Sheep ; Vitrification

Ovarian cysts are the most common cystic abdominal masses in female newborns. It is believed to be derived from an overstimulation of the ovarian follicles by maternal, placental, and fetal hormones. Although most ovarian cysts resolve spontaneously, surgical management is mandatory for life-threatening, complicated cases, including torsion, intracystic hemorrhage, and rupture of the cyst. Rupture of ovarian cysts is thought to be exceedingly rare, but can lead to severe hemorrhagic ascites or peritonitis. We managed a case of a ruptured ovarian cyst in a female newborn who presented with mild abdominal distension and two episodes of gross hematuria. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a right ovarian cyst with torsion and rupture. She was successfully treated with a right salpingo-oophorectomy with no sequelae.
Ascites ; Female ; Hematuria ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Laparotomy ; Ovarian Cysts ; Ovarian Follicle ; Peritonitis ; Rupture

The present study investigated the effect of Modified Dihuang Decoction in improving ovarian reserve in mice through the Bcl-2-related mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. Forty-eight adult female BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the following six groups with eight mice in each group: a blank group, a model group, a femoston group(three cycles of treatment with 0.13 mg·kg~(-1) estradiol tablets for 2 days and 1.43 mg·kg~(-1) estradiol and dydrogesterone tablets for 3 days), and high(64.74 g·kg~(-1))-, medium(43.16 g·kg~(-1))-, and low-dose(21.58 g·kg~(-1)) Modified Dihuang Decoction groups. Mice in other groups except the blank group received a single intraperitoneal injection of 12 mg·kg~(-1) cyclophosphamide and 1.2 mg·kg~(-1) busulfan to induce a model of diminished ovarian reserve(DOR), while those in the blank group received an equal volume of normal saline. Mice were treated with corresponding drugs for 15 d from the 36 th day, once per day, and the mice in the blank group and the model group were treated with an equal volume of normal saline. The general condition and oestrous cycle were observed. The serum hormone levels were detected with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The morphological changes of ovaries were observed by HE staining. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-9(caspase-9), cleaved caspase-3, Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax), Bcl-2, superoxide dismutase-2(SOD-2), and glutathione peroxidase-1(GPx-1). The mRNA expression of Bax and Bcl-2 was detected by real-time fluorescence-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction(real-time PCR). The results showed that compared with the blank group, the model group showed body weight loss, disordered oestrous cycle, elevated serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH) and luteinizing hormone(LH), reduced serum levels of estradiol(E_2), anti-mullerian hormone(AMH), and inhibin B(INHB), the declining number of ovarian follicles and granulosa layers, increased number of atretic follicles, up-regulated protein expression of caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3, and Bax and Bax mRNA expression in ovaries, and down-regulated protein expression of Bcl-2, SOD-2 and GPx-1, and Bcl-2 mRNA expression. Compared with the model group, the Modified Dihuang Decoction groups displayed restored body weight and oestrous cycle, decreased serum levels of FSH and LH, elevated serum levels of E_2, AMH, and INHB, increased number of ovarian follicles, thickened granulosa layers, and declining number of atretic follicles. Additionally, the protein expression of caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3, and Bax, and Bax mRNA expression was down-regulated, and the protein expression of Bcl-2, SOD-2, and GPx-1, and Bcl-2 mRNA expression was up-regulated. The results suggest that Modified Dihuang Decoction can regulate endocrine hormone, promote follicle growth and improve ovarian reserve by enhancing ovarian anti-oxidant capacity, inhibiting the Bcl-2-related mitochondrial apoptosis pathway, and further inhibiting cell apoptosis.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Female ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Ovarian Follicle ; Ovarian Reserve ; Ovary

The ovarian reserve is necessary for female fertility and endocrine health. Commonly used cancer therapies diminish the ovarian reserve, thus, resulting in primary ovarian insufficiency, which clinically presents as infertility and endocrine dysfunction. Prepubertal children who have undergone cancer therapies often experience delayed puberty or cannot initiate puberty and require endocrine support to maintain a normal life. Thus, developing an effective intervention to prevent loss of the ovarian reserve is an unmet need for these cancer patients. The selection of adjuvant therapies to protect the ovarian reserve against cancer therapies underlies the mechanism of loss of primordial follicles (PFs). Several theories have been proposed to explain the loss of PFs. The “burn out” theory postulates that chemotherapeutic agents activate dormant PFs through an activation pathway. Another theory posits that chemotherapeutic agents destroy PFs through an “apoptotic pathway” due to high sensitivity to DNA damage. However, the mechanisms causing loss of the ovarian reserve remains largely speculative. Here, we review current literature in this area and consider the mechanisms of how gonadotoxic therapies deplete PFs in the ovarian reserve.
Adolescent ; Child ; DNA Damage ; Female ; Fertility ; Fertility Preservation ; Humans ; Infertility ; Ovarian Follicle ; Ovarian Reserve ; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency ; Puberty ; Puberty, Delayed

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a member of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta superfamily and mainly expressed by the granulosa cells of ovarian follicles. In women AMH is only expressed in ovarian follicles and therefore can be used for the evaluation of the ovarian reserve function and the prediction of ovary ageing and ovarian response during in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. This article summarizes the clinical application of AMH, especially in evaluating ovarian reserve functions.
Anti-Mullerian Hormone ; blood ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; blood ; Humans ; Ovarian Follicle ; physiology ; Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome ; prevention & control ; Ovary ; physiology ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; blood

Primordial follicle activation is a process in which individual primordial follicles leave their dormant state and enter a growth phase. While existing hormone stimulation strategies targeted the growing follicles, the remaining dormant primordial follicles were ruled out from clinical use. Recently, in vitro activation (IVA), which is a method for controlling primordial follicle activation, has provided an innovative technology for primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) patients. IVA was developed based on Hippo signaling and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)/phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/forkhead box O3 (FOXO3) signaling modulation. With this method, dormant primordial follicles are activated to enter growth phase and developed into competent oocytes. IVA has been successfully applied in POI patients who only have a few remaining remnant primordial follicles in the ovary, and healthy pregnancies and deliveries have been reported. IVA may also provide a promising option for fertility preservation in cancer patients and prepubertal girls whose fertility preservation choices are limited to tissue cryopreservation. Here, we review the basic mechanisms, translational studies, and current clinical results for IVA. Limitations and further study requirements that could potentially optimize IVA for future use will also be discussed.
Cryopreservation ; Female ; Fertility Preservation ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Methods ; Oocytes ; Ovarian Follicle ; Ovary ; Phosphotransferases ; Pregnancy ; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency