PURPOSE The objective of this study was to analyse the expression and cellular localization of FOXO3, pFOXO3 and PTEN throughout human ovary development both before and after birth. METHODS Foetal, pubertal and adult paraffin-embedded ovarian samples were analysed by immunohistochemistry for cellular localization of FOXO3, pFOXO3 and PTEN proteins. Protein and mRNA expression were analysed by western blot and real time PCR, respectively, from fresh biopsies. RESULTS PTEN was not detected by immunohistochemistry in germ cells and follicles of foetal, pubertal and adult ovaries. Occasional PTEN immunoreactive granulosa cells were found in atretic antral follicles in the adult ovary. Western blot analysis showed low levels of PTEN protein. Nuclear FOXO3-expressing primordial follicles represented a variable proportion of the ovarian reserve. The presence of FOXO3-expressing primordial follicles was very low in foetal ovary; although always represented in a low proportion, prevalence increased during pubertal and adult life. CONCLUSION Our results seem to indicate that two subpopulations of primordial follicles, i.e. nuclear FOXO3-expressing and no FOXO3-expressing primordial follicles are found in the postnatal human ovary. This scenario suggests that FOXO3 could be acting as in the mouse model, preventing primordial follicle activation. However, the strategy would not be an "all or nothing" system as in mouse ovary but rather a selected subpopulation of primordial follicles preserved to ensure long-term fertility.

中文翻译：

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PTEN和FOXO3在产前和产后人卵巢中的表达。

目的本研究的目的是分析FOXO3，pFOXO3和PTEN在出生前和出生后整个人卵巢发育中的表达和细胞定位。方法采用免疫组织化学方法分析胎儿，青春期和成人石蜡包埋的卵巢样品中FOXO3，pFOXO3和PTEN蛋白的细胞定位。通过蛋白质印迹和实时PCR分别从新鲜活检组织中分析蛋白质和mRNA的表达。结果免疫组织化学法未检测到卵巢，青春期和成年卵巢的生殖细胞和卵泡中的PTEN。在成年卵巢的闭角窦卵泡中发现偶尔的PTEN免疫反应性颗粒细胞。蛋白质印迹分析显示PTEN蛋白水平低。表达核FOXO3的原始卵泡占卵巢储备的可变比例。胎儿卵巢中表达FOXO3的原始卵泡的存在非常低。尽管发病率一直很低，但在青春期和成年期患病率却有所增加。结论我们的结果似乎表明在出生后的人卵巢中发现了两个原始卵泡亚群，即表达核FOXO3和未表达FOXO3的原始卵泡。这种情况表明FOXO3可能与小鼠模型一样起作用，从而阻止了原始卵泡的激活。然而，该策略将不是像小鼠卵巢那样的“全有或全无”系统，而是保留了原始卵泡的选定亚群，以确保长期繁殖。青春期和成年期患病率增加。结论我们的结果似乎表明在出生后的人卵巢中发现了两个原始卵泡亚群，即表达核FOXO3和未表达FOXO3的原始卵泡。这种情况表明FOXO3可能与小鼠模型一样发挥作用，从而阻止了原始卵泡的活化。但是，该策略将不是像小鼠卵巢那样的“全有或全无”系统，而是保留一定数量的原始卵泡亚群以确保长期生育。青春期和成年期患病率增加。结论我们的结果似乎表明在出生后的人卵巢中发现了两个原始卵泡亚群，即表达核FOXO3和未表达FOXO3的原始卵泡。这种情况表明FOXO3可能与小鼠模型一样起作用，从而阻止了原始卵泡的激活。然而，该策略将不是像小鼠卵巢那样的“全有或全无”系统，而是保留了原始卵泡的选定亚群，以确保长期繁殖。防止原始卵泡活化。然而，该策略将不是像小鼠卵巢那样的“全有或全无”系统，而是保留了原始卵泡的选定亚群，以确保长期繁殖。防止原始卵泡活化。然而，该策略将不是像小鼠卵巢那样的“全有或全无”系统，而是保留了原始卵泡的选定亚群，以确保长期繁殖。