Folliculogenesis is a complex process that requires integration of autocrine, paracrine, and endocrine factors together with tightly regulated interactions between granulosa cells and oocytes for the growth and survival of healthy follicles. Culture of ovarian follicles is a powerful approach for investigating folliculogenesis and oogenesis in a tightly controlled environment. This method has enabled unprecedented insight into the fundamental biology of follicle development but also has far-reaching translational applications, including in fertility preservation for women whose ovarian follicles may be damaged by disease or its treatment or in wildlife conservation. Two- and three-dimensional follicle culture systems have been developed and are rapidly evolving. It is clear from a review of the literature on isolated follicle culture methods published over the past two decades (1980-2018) that protocols vary with respect to species examined, follicle isolation methods, culture techniques, culture media and nutrient and hormone supplementation, and experimental end points. Here we review the heterogeneity among these major variables of follicle culture protocols.

中文翻译：

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体外卵泡生长：关键协议变量的综合分析†。

卵泡发生是一个复杂的过程，需要自分泌、旁分泌和内分泌因子的整合以及颗粒细胞和卵母细胞之间严格调控的相互作用，以促进健康卵泡的生长和存活。卵泡培养是在严格控制的环境中研究卵泡发生和卵子发生的有效方法。这种方法使人们对卵泡发育的基本生物学有了前所未有的了解，而且还具有深远的转化应用，包括卵巢卵泡可能因疾病或其治疗而受损的女性的生育能力保存或野生动物保护。二维和三维卵泡培养系统已经开发并正在迅速发展。从过去二十年（1980-2018）发表的关于分离卵泡培养方法的文献回顾中可以清楚地看出，协议因检查的物种、卵泡分离方法、培养技术、培养基以及营养和激素补充而异，以及实验终点。在这里，我们回顾了卵泡培养方案的这些主要变量之间的异质性。