Figure 1

Microscopic observation of ovarian cortical tissue: A large number of cells were observed on the membrane of cell culture inserts in (A) marmoset, (B) young and (C) peri-menopausal human ovary. (D &E) Stem cells (asterix) which exist in the OSE layer were visualized at higher magnification on the inserts along with RBCs (arrow) and epithelial cells. (F-H) In peri-menopausal ovarian tissue, these cells appeared to be released from the ovarian surface in the presence of (F) FSH and (G) bFGF compared to the (H) untreated control. The released cells were further cultured for three weeks and spontaneously differentiated into oocyte-like structures in (I) marmoset (J) young and (K) peri-menopausal human ovary samples. Scale bar in A-C, F-H = 20 μm and D, E, I-K = 10 μm.