The Pro-Apoptotic Bh3-Only Protein bmf Plays an Essential Role in Setting the Size of the Oocyte Reserve.

Abstract

The number and quality of oocytes stored within the ovary as primordial follicles are critical determinants of the length of time for which a female will be fertile, and hence the age at which menopause occurs, as well as for the health of offspring. A striking characteristic of normal ovarian development is the extensive death of germ cells that occurs soon after they are formed, leaving a relatively small number of oocytes remaining to sustain fertility and ovarian function throughout life. It is not known why so many germ cells are generated during embryonic development, only to be subsequently destroyed. Furthermore, the genes/proteins and regulatory networks that control germ cell death..