Produção de oócitos em mamíferos adultos: o camundongo como modelo

Abstract

Objectiveto identify oocyte production in adult mammals using the mouse as the experimental model. Methodwe used the immunohistochemistry technique on ovary sections of Balb‐c mice (45 days old), with antibody that labels germline cells specifically. We used sections of mice's testes as positive reaction controls. Resultsin testes samples, germ cells (spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids) were stained, while cells not belonging to germ lineage (Leydig and Sertoli cells) showed negative reaction; in ovarian samples, oocytes from follicles in different stages of maturation were stained, but the reaction was also positive for cells not enclosed by the follicular structure. Conclusionsthe findings suggest that, during puberty, female mice ovaries contain germline cells in earlier stages before follicular formation, as was found in previous studies. The work, pioneering in Brazil, must progress to a complete characterization of these cells (with oogenesis potential) in mice and in other mammal species. Positive results may change the understanding of the reproductive biology and open new possibilities for infertility treatment.