In-depth analysis of transcriptomes in ovarian cortical follicles from children and adults reveals interfollicular heterogeneity
The ovarian cortical reserve of follicles is vital for fertility. Some medical treatments are toxic to follicles, leading to premature ovarian insufficiency. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation is an established method to preserve fertility in adults and even applied in prepuberty despite unproven efficacy. Here, we analyze transcriptomes of 120 cortical follicles from children and adults for detailed comparison. We discover heterogeneity with two main types of follicles in both age groups: one with expected oocyte-granulosa profiles and another with predicted role in signaling. Transcriptional changes during growth to the secondary stage are similar overall in children and adults, but variations related to extracellular matrix, theca cells, and miRNA profiles are found. Notably, cyclophosphamide dose correlates with interferon signaling in child follicles. Additionally, morphology alone is insufficient for follicle categorization suggesting a need for additional markers. Marker genes for early follicle activation are determined. These findings will help refine follicular classification and fertility preservation techniques across critical ages.
Authors
- Katri Knuus (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4725-9728)
- Ilmatar Rooda (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5594-4987)
- Cecilia Lindskog (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5611-1015)
- Cecilia Langenskiöld (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4327-8526)
- Sebastian Gidlöf (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1432-8344)
- Johan Malmros (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7274-2957)
- Timo Tuuri (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0734-3244)
- Pauliina Damdimopoulou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8458-0855)
- Kersti Jääger (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0503-9292)
- Andres Salumets (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1251-8160)
- Kiriaki Papaikonomou (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0862-6265)
- Agne Velthut‐Meikas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1927-9016)
- Magdalena Wagner (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6266-1248)
- Elisabeth Moussaud-Lamodière (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2359-6519)
- Kirsi Jahnukainen
- Marjut Otala (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7914-8897)
- Hartmut Vogt (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6009-7789)
- Jasmin Hassan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5583-3291)
- Jie Hao (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4839-665X)
- Per Frisk
Institutions
- Linköping University (SE)
- Tallinn University of Technology (EE)
- Uppsala University (SE)
- Karolinska University Hospital (SE)
- University of Helsinki (FI)
- Uppsala University Hospital (SE)
- Central South University (CN)
- Helsinki University Hospital (FI)
- Sahlgrenska University Hospital (SE)
- Karolinska Institutet (SE)
- Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital (SE)
- Xiangya Hospital Central South University (CN)
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies (Estonia) (EE)
- University of Tartu (EE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Published
- 2024-08-21
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-51185-0
- Citations
- 12
- Primary Topic
- Reproductive Biology and Fertility
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 6.52
Funders
- Eesti Teadusagentuur
- Karolinska Institutet
- Vetenskapsrådet
- Barncancerfonden