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Awakening the oocyte: controlling primordial follicle development

¹ Reproductive Science Group, School of Environmental & Life Sciences and² ARC Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology & Development, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia

Correspondence should be addressed to E A McLaughlin at Reproductive Science Group, School of Environmental & Life Sciences, ARC Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology & Development, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia; Email: eileen.mclaughlin{at}newcastle.edu.au

Oocytes are sequestered in primordial follicles before birth and remain quiescent in the ovary, often for decades, until recruited into the growing pool throughout the reproductive years. Therefore, activation of follicle growth is a major biological checkpoint that controls female reproductive potential. However, we are only just beginning to elucidate the cellular mechanisms required for either maintenance of the quiescent primordial follicle pool or initiation of follicle growth. Understanding the intracellular signalling systems that control oocyte maintenance and activation has significant implications for improving female reproductive productivity and longevity in mammals, and has application in domestic animal husbandry, feral animal population control and infertility in women.