Life-long in vivo cell-lineage tracing shows that no oogenesis originates from putative germline stem cells in adult mice

Hua Zhang, Lian Liu, Xin Li, Kiran Busayavalasa, Yan Shen, Outi Hovatta, Jan Åke Gustafsson, Kui Liu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

55 Scopus citations

Abstract

Whether or not oocyte regeneration occurs in adult life has been the subject of much debate. In this study, we have traced germcell lineages over the life spans of three genetically modified mouse models and provide direct evidence that oogenesis does not originate from any germline stem cells (GSCs) in adult mice. By selective ablation of all existing oocytes in a Gdf9-Cre;iDTR mouse model, we have demonstrated that no new germ cells were ever regenerated under pathological conditions. By in vivo tracing of oocytes and follicles in the Sohlh1-CreERT2;R26R and Foxl2-CreERT2;mT/mG mouse models, respectively, we have shown that the initial pool of oocytes is the only source of germ cells throughout the life span of the mice and that no adult oogenesis ever occurs under physiological conditions. Our findings clearly show that there are no GSCs that contribute to adult oogenesis in mice and that the initial pool of oocytes formed in early life is the only source of germ cells throughout the entire reproductive life span.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)17983-17988
Number of pages6
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume111
Issue number50
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 16 2014

Keywords

  • Follicle tracing
  • Genetically modified mouse models
  • Life-long observations
  • No postnatal oocyte regeneration
  • Oocyte tracing

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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