Female germline stem cells: Potential applications in reproductive technology

Abstract

One of the most significant findings in stem cell area is the establishment of female germline stem cells (FGSCs) in the early 21st century. Besides FGSC huge contribution in supporting ovarian function and fertility of females, the ability to create transgenic animals from FGSC has high efficiency. Whether the FGSC can differentiate into mature oocytes for fertilization and complete development of the embryo is an enormous question for scientists. We successfully established pig FGSC from ovarian tissue in vitro culture. Our results support that the ovary contains a small number of undifferentiated cells with stem cell characteristics. These might remain in the adult ovary and cannot proliferate in normally because of the inhibitory factors in the ovary, but under appropriate conditions, they can undergo proliferation and be differentiated into oocyte-like cells, and provide a mechanism for the self-renewal of FGSC.