Genome-wide studies of murine ovarian follicle maturation in vitro

A microarray study to compare gene expression during ovarian follicle development to better understand transcriptional changes during follicular growth. Multi-layered secondary follicles (150-180 µm in diameter) were mechanically isolated from ovaries of 16-day old CD-1 mice and individually encapsulated in 0.5% alginate. Follicles were culture for up to 8 days. Day 0 samples correspond to follicles that were isolated and immediately frozen. Samples were collected after 0, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 8 days in culture in triplicate and day 0 was collected 5 times.

本研究采用基因芯片（microarray）技术对比卵巢卵泡发育过程中的基因表达情况，以深入解析卵泡生长阶段的转录变化。研究人员从16日龄CD-1小鼠的卵巢中机械分离得到直径150~180μm的多层次级卵泡，并将单个卵泡包埋于0.5%海藻酸钠（alginate）中。卵泡体外培养时长最长达8天。第0天样本为分离后即刻冻存的卵泡；研究人员分别在培养第0、2、4、5、6、8天收集样本，其中第2至8天的每个时间点均设置3次生物学重复，第0天样本共收集5次重复。