Creating a common language for the subanatomy of the ovary.

Abstract

Dear editor, The ovary is a dynamic organ, broadly divided into anatomical structures that include the outer cortex, inner medulla, and hilum (Figure 1A and B). In addition to general proximity, these regions contain unique constituents, with differences in prevalence of certain follicle stages, relative follicle densities, blood vessels, and cell types corresponding to functional differences between structures [1]. In addition, these structures range in development, thickness, and cellular composition based on an individual’s pubertal status, menstrual cycle stage, and medical history [2]. Therefore, methods for defining subanatomic structures must account for these changes and be more adaptable than generalized descriptions of depth. Studies in the 1970s used histologic methods to characterize and infer function of cell types and anatomical structures within the ovary, however, these studies need to be integrated with ongoing work using single cell RNA-sequencing and multiplex immunofluorescent imaging to generate high-resolution maps in healthy and pathologic ovaries across the lifespan [3, 4]. These technologies will continue to expand the field’s understanding of cellular and molecular players within the ovary to inform current and future diagnostics and therapeutics. Funding agencies, such as the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) and National Institutes of Health (NIH), have prioritized mapping human organs at the cellular level through consortiums like the Human Cell Atlas (HCA) and Human BioMolecular Atlas Program (HuBMAP; [5]). Collaboration among these consortiums and scientific community at large are critical to increase the depth, breadth, and robustness of data generated from rare human resources. Therefore, common language accounting for the complexity of ovarian subanatomy is required to identify and effectively compare data generated from diverse resources. Here, ongoing work to develop a shared nomenclature system to annotate ovarian subanatomical structures with the flexibility to support previous, ongoing, and future clinical, translational, and basic scientific research is described.