Dynamic transcription factor activity networks in response to ovarian follicle culture environments

摘要

We have, for the first time, demonstrated the application of a lentiviral gene delivery system to mouse ovarian follicles cultured in a 3D alginate-based culture system to study the dynamic processes of paracrine signaling in folliculogenesis. Our approach investigated the dynamic activities of TFs and established their roles in the growth of early stage ovarian follicles in vitro. The study of the synchrony between the quantity and temporal distribution of TFs helped provide insights to the number-dependent manner of early stage follicles as a result of differential paracrine cues in the culture environments. This knowledge may be used for developing xeno-free, cell-free culture systems as alternative fertility preservation options.