DTPA disrupts development of preantral ovarian follicles in vitro

The roles the mineral zinc plays in the ovary are not yet clear. The present study used follicles from mouse ovaries that were grown in the lab for up to 10 days. Follicles are round structures that contain a large egg cell at the center, surrounded by smaller cells called granulosa cells. Follicles were either grown with adequate zinc or insufficient zinc levels. The findings show that follicles require sufficient zinc to form connections between the egg and granulosa cells, which are essential for growth of both the egg and the granulosa cells. When there is insufficient zinc, loss of these connections leads to more granulosa cells dying and smaller follicles. These results show that zinc is important for growth of ovarian follicles, which could be important for treating infertility by supplying adequate levels of zinc in the diet.