Becoming female: Ovarian differentiation from an evolutionary perspective

Nicol, Barbara; Estermann, Martín; Yao, Hisayuki; Mellouk, Namya

doi:10.3389/fcell.2022.944776

Cited by 13 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 275 publications

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“…While the timing of ovarian cell differentiation varies greatly across species, the regionalization of the ovarian domain into cortex and medulla is a highly conserved feature, not only across mammalian species, but also in reptilian and avian species ( DeFalco and Capel, 2009 ; Nicol et al, 2022 ). Similar to mice, the ovarian cortex of large mammals such as cows and sheep is first distinguishable by the presence of ovigerous cords and stroma, while the medulla is initially composed of stromal cells, vasculature, and IOR ovarii.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integration of mouse ovary morphogenesis with developmental dynamics of the oviduct, ovarian ligaments, and rete ovarii

McKey

Anbarci

Bunce

et al. 2022

eLife

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Morphogenetic events during development of the fetal ovary are crucial to the establishment of female fertility. However, the effects of structural rearrangements of the ovary and surrounding reproductive tissues on ovary morphogenesis remain largely uncharacterized. Using tissue clearing and lightsheet microscopy, we found that ovary folding correlated with regionalization into cortex and medulla. Relocation of the oviduct to the ventral aspect of the ovary led to ovary encapsulation, and mutual attachment of the ovary and oviduct to the cranial suspensory ligament likely triggered ovary folding. During this process, the rete ovarii elaborated into a convoluted tubular structure extending from the ovary into the ovarian capsule. Using genetic mouse models in which the oviduct and rete ovarii are perturbed, we found the oviduct is required for ovary encapsulation. This study reveals novel relationships among the ovary and surrounding tissues and paves the way for functional investigation of the relationship between architecture and differentiation of the mammalian ovary.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integration of mouse ovary morphogenesis with developmental dynamics of the oviduct, ovarian ligaments, and rete ovarii

McKey

Anbarci

Bunce

et al. 2022

eLife

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“…In adult XX mice with either disabled production [31] or disabled responsiveness to estrogens [32], granulosa cells in the adult ovary lost their identity and transformed into Sertoli-like cells with expression of Sox9 . Loss of Foxl2 , a conserved transcription factor for granulosa cell differentiation in vertebrates, and in particular mammals [33, 34], recapitulated similar granulosa-to-Sertoli cell transdifferentiation in adult XX mice [35]. On the other hand, when transcription factor Dmrt1 was deleted in Sertoli cells, adult XY Sertoli cells gained Foxl2 expression, lost their polarity, and gradually transdifferentiated into granulosa-like cells [3, 36].…”

Section: Fate Maintenance Of Sertoli Cells In Adult Testismentioning

confidence: 99%

From Enrico Sertoli to freemartinism: the many phases of the master testis-determining cell

Yao

Rodriguez

2023

Biology of Reproduction

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Sertoli cells, first identified in the adult testis by Enrico Sertoli in the mid 19th century, are known for their role in fostering male germ cell differentiaton and production of mature sperm. It was not until the late 20 century with the discovery of the testis-determining gene SRY that Sertoli cells’ new function as the master regulator of testis formation and maleness was unveiled. Fetal Sertoli cells facilitate the establishment of seminiferous cords, induce appearance of androgen-producing Leydig cells, and cause regression of the female reproductive tracts. Originally thought be a terminally differentiated cell type, adult Sertoli cells, at least in the mouse, retain their plasticity and ability to transdifferentiate into the ovarian counter part, granulosa cells. In this review, we capture the many phases of Sertoli cell differentiation from their fate specification in fetal life to fate maintenance in adulthood. We also introduce the discovery of a new phase of fetal Sertoli cell differentiation via autocrine/paracrine factors with the freemartin characteristics. There remains much to learn about this intriguing cell type that lay the foundation for the maleness.

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“…In XY individuals, Sex determining region Y ( Sry ) gene initiates a genetic cascade that leads to upregulation of SRY-box transcription factor 9 ( Sox9 ) beyond a critical threshold 1 .This results in the differentiation of bipotential somatic cell precursors into Sertoli cells that orchestrate testicular development. In the absence of SRY, in XX individuals, commitment to the granulosa cell lineage occurs via RSPO1/WNT4/β-CATENIN and RUNX1/FOXL2 gene regulatory networks 2,3 . Sex determination is followed by the differentiation of internal and external genitalia regulated by the presence or absence of androgens and anti-Müllerian hormone 4 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence forNR2F2/COUP-TFII involvement in human testis development

Wankanit,

Zidoune,

Bignon-Topalovic

et al. 2024

Preprint

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NR2F2encodes COUP-TFII, an orphan nuclear receptor involved in mammalian gonadogenesis. COUP-TFII is expressed in the interstitial/stromal compartment of both fetal testes and ovaries, where it is required for developing steroidogenic lineages. Pathogenic variants in humanNR2F2are linked to testis formation in 46,XX individuals (46,XXdisorders ofsexdevelopment, 46,XX DSD). Such findings propose a regulatory role of COUP-TFII in the developing ovary, whereas its function in testis remains unknown. We evaluate the effect of ade novoheterozygous, predicted damaging, missense variant inNR2F2(p.Arg246His) in a 46,XY under-masculinized boy.In-vitroassays show that the mutant protein significantly loses the inhibitory effect on NR5A1-mediated activation of both theLHBandINSL3promoters. The data support the pathogenicity of the p.Arg246His variant in 46,XY DSD and a role forNR2F2in human testis formation. In addition toNR5A1andWT1,NR2F2variants are thus associated with both 46,XX and 46,XY DSD. This expands the list of genes that function in both male and female sex development, which is originally thought to be regulated by two entirely different sets of genes.

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Becoming female: Ovarian differentiation from an evolutionary perspective

Cited by 13 publications

References 275 publications

Integration of mouse ovary morphogenesis with developmental dynamics of the oviduct, ovarian ligaments, and rete ovarii

Integration of mouse ovary morphogenesis with developmental dynamics of the oviduct, ovarian ligaments, and rete ovarii

From Enrico Sertoli to freemartinism: the many phases of the master testis-determining cell

Evidence forNR2F2/COUP-TFII involvement in human testis development

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