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Germ Cell-Specific Transcriptional Regulator Sohlh2 Is Essential for Early Mouse Folliculogenesis and Oocyte-Specific Gene Expression¹

Fertility Center of CHA General Hospital,³ CHA Research Institute, Pochon CHA University, Seoul 135–081, Republic of Korea Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,⁴ Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030

ABSTRACT

We previously discovered a germ cell-specific spermatogenesis and oogenesis basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, Sohlh2. We generated Sohlh2-deficient mice to understand physiologic consequences of Sohlh2 deletion. We discovered that Sohlh2-knockout adult female mice are infertile due to lack of ovarian follicles. Sohlh2-deficient ovaries can form primordial follicles and, despite limited oocyte growth, do not differentiate surrounding granulosa cells into cuboidal and multilayered structures. Oocytes are rapidly lost in Sohlh2-deficient ovaries, and few are present by 14 days of postnatal life. However, the primordial oocytes are abnormal at the molecular level because they misexpress numerous germ cell- and oocyte-specific genes, including Sohlh1, Nobox, Figla, Gdf9, Pou5f1, Zp1, Zp3, Kit, Oosp1, Nlrp14, H1foo, and Stra8. Our findings show that Sohlh2 is a critical factor for maintenance and differentiation of the oocyte during early oogenesis.

oocyte development, oogenesis, primordial follicle, Sohlh2, transcription factor

¹Supported by the National Institutes of Health Grant HD44858, and March of Dimes grant #6-FY08-313.

Correspondence: ²Aleksandar Rajkovic, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1709 Dryden Road, Suite 1100, Houston, TX 77030. FAX: 713 798 2744; e-mail: rajkovic{at}bcm.edu

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