Follicles were reconstituted from dissociated mouse fetal ovarian cells in vitro

Early folliculogenesis involved in the interaction of germ cells and somatic cells is a complicated physiological event. Female germ cells are committed to differentiate into oocytes and finish complete development in the functional units of follicles. Thus there will be great significance in basal research and practices to evaluate the possibility of ovarian cells to reconstitute into follicles in vitro. In the present research, 12-16 dpc (days post coitum) mouse fetal ovarian cells were respectively isolated using collagenase digestion and cultured in droplets in vitro. The results revealed that the fetal ovarian cells of 12-16 dpc appeared to form multiple cell aggregates and tissue-like pieces in vitro. However, 12-13 dpc ovarian cells failed to form the follicles, 14-15 dpc ovarian cells were competent to form a few follicle-like complexes. Furthermore many small typical follicles were reconstituted from 16 dpc ovarian cells in vitro. The results showed for the first time that mouse embryonic ovarian cells were able to form the follicles in vitro. It was a gradual progression for the female germ cells to achieve the ability to induce somatic cells differentiation and reconstitution into follicles, which may directly lead to the success in reorganization and transplantation of genetically modified ovary in vitro.