Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
A
Adult Human Ovary
Adult Human Testis
DAZL
DAZL
PUM2
e
PF
a
c
DAZ
Oc
DAZL
NANOS3
f
Oc
PF
b
d
PUM2
g
B
Germ Cell Particle
RNA
DAZAP2
DAZAP2
DZIP2
DAZAP1
DAZAP1
DAZL
DAZL
DZIP1
DAZ
DAZ
BOULE
BOULE
NANOS
NANOS
Fig. 3.3 DAZ gene family members and DAZ-interacting protein genes are expressed and func-
tion in human germ cells. ( A ) Immunohistochemical staining using specific antibodies or antisera
to detect the protein expression of: ( a ) and ( b ) DAZL , ( c ) PUM2 , and ( d ) NANOS3 is limited to
the oocyte (Oc), primary follicle (PF), secondary follicle (SF), antral follicle (not shown), and
granulosa cells of the ovary of the adult woman; ( e ) DAZL , ( f ) DAZ , and ( g ) PUM2 is limited to
the spermatogonia (Spg), spermatocytes (Spc), spermatids (Spd), and round spermatids (RS/Rsp)
of the testis of the adult man; note expression of these genes begins in the primordial germ cells
of the female and male fetus. ( B ) Diagram of DAZ gene family proteins, DAZ-Interacting proteins,
other associating proteins, and RNAs present in human germ cells. These molecules may interact
in a complex that functions as a “germ cell particle” and contains many homologs of germ plasm
components that function in germ cell development in diverse organisms (magnification ×200;
bar = 10 mm; ( a ) and ( b ) adapted from Dorfman et al. 1999 ; ( c ) and ( g ) adapted from Moore et al.
2003 ; ( d ) provided by V. Angeles)
for this gene in the establishment of the germ cell population in humans. With great
advances in genome-wide microarray technologies, it will be important to assess
how common genetic polymorphisms across many genes and chromosomes are
associated with follicle number in women and sperm counts in men. Rather than
relying on retrospective indirect measurements of follicle depletion such as age at
menopause/ovarian failure, we can now use transvaginal ultrasound technology to
measure a woman's antral follicle count (AFC). Antral follicles are one of the final
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