Objectives: Existence of germline stem cells (GSCs) in juvenile mammalian female ovaries has been drastically debated recently since reports that adult mouse ovaries still have mitotically active germ cells have been proposed. In addition, definitive location of such female germline stem cells (FGSCs) had not been demonstrated.
Materials and methods: We segregated porcine FGSCs mechanically from ovary cortex, and tested our hypotheses by utilizing immunofluorescent staining, qRT-PCR and western blotting.
Results: We attached emphasis to unambiguous location of FGSCs, which settle simultaneously in the theca. Dissected cells from porcine thecal layers maintained similar characteristics to mouse FGSCs and ESCs over 4-months in vitro culture.
Conclusion: These results may provide a new resource for the study of oogenesis and therapy for ovarian sterility.
© 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.