Review Article

Biology and Biotechnology of Follicle Development

Table 6

Murine model of transcription factors expressed in the gonads and their possible effect on fertility [29].

               Expressed preferentially in germ cells
GeneNumberMouse knockout phenotype
FigαFactor in the germline alphaInfertility, oocyte loss at postnatal day 2
Nobox (Og2x)Newborn ovary homeboxInfertility, oocyte loss at postnatal day 14, disrupted primordial to primary transition
Oct4 (Pou5fl)POU domain, class 5, transcription factorMaintenance of primordial germ cells
Taf4b (TAFIII05)TATA box binding protein-associated factor 4bInfertility, folliculogenesis blocked at preantral stage

           Expressed in the granulosa and somatic cells of the ovary
Foxo3aForkhead box O3aInitially fertile, infertility at 15 weeks, progressive loss of viable follicles, with total loss at 18 weeks
Fox12Forkhead box L2Infertility, block at the primordial and primary follicle stage
Sox3Sry-box containing gene 3Infertile mice with normal follicular development, unclear defect
Sf1 (Nr5a1)Nuclear receptor subfamily 5, group A, member 11. conditional knock out infertile, ovary develops, antral follicles form, absent corpora lutea
Lrh-1 (Nr5a2)Nuclear receptor subfamily 5, group A, member 2Mice die by 𝐸 6 . 5 𝐸 7 . 5
Wt1Wilms tumor homologueGonads degenerate by 𝐸 1 2 . 5 , similar to Sf1
Lhx9LIM homeobox protein 9Gonads fail to proliferate by 𝐸 1 1 . 5 , primordial germ cell migration unaffected
Emx2Empty spiracles homologue 2Mice die soon after birth and lack kidneys, ureters and gonads. Primordial germ cells migrate normally