Abstract
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Human Reproduction |
| Volume | 26 |
| Issue number | 8 |
| Pages (from-to) | 2140-2145 |
| ISSN | 0268-1161 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2011 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Germ cells
- Human embryos
- First and second trimester pregnancy
Cite this
}
Germ cell numbers in human embryonic and fetal gonads during the first two trimesters of pregnancy : Analysis of six published studies. / Mamsen, L. Salto; Lutterodt, M.C.; Andersen, Elisabeth Wreford; Byskov, A.G.; Andersen, C. Yding.
In: Human Reproduction, Vol. 26, No. 8, 2011, p. 2140-2145.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - Germ cell numbers in human embryonic and fetal gonads during the first two trimesters of pregnancy
T2 - Analysis of six published studies
AU - Mamsen, L. Salto
AU - Lutterodt, M.C.
AU - Andersen, Elisabeth Wreford
AU - Byskov, A.G.
AU - Andersen, C. Yding
PY - 2011
Y1 - 2011
N2 - BACKGROUND: The number of germ cells in human embryonic and fetal ovaries in relation to age is currently based on volumetric estimations from one study including a total of 12 ovaries. Six recent publications present stereological estimations of the number of germ cells in ovaries and testes for the first two trimesters. ; METHODS: Germ cell numbers from 103 human first and second trimester gonads aged 37–133 days post-conception (p.c.), obtained after legal termination of pregnancy, were collected from six independent studies that all used similar validated stereological methods for estimating germ cell numbers as well as somatic cell numbers. ; RESULTS: Statistically, the six studies estimated similar number of germ cells (P > 0.05) and no interaction between the studies and age was found (P > 0.05), indicating that the increase in cell numbers in relation to age was of comparable magnitude in each study. The number of germ cells increased from a mean of 7200 to 4 933 000 in fetal ovaries and from 3700 to 1 417 000 in fetal testes, from week 5 to week 19 p.c. A higher rate of increase was found for female germ cells as compared with males (P = 0.004). During the same period, the number of somatic cells increased from a mean of 158 000 to 1 017 000 in ovaries and from 154 000 to 2 035 000 in testes, respectively. ; CONCLUSIONS: By the use of validated stereological methods, this study provides more accurate and improved information on human germ and somatic cell numbers in ovaries and testes during the first two trimesters of pregnancy.
AB - BACKGROUND: The number of germ cells in human embryonic and fetal ovaries in relation to age is currently based on volumetric estimations from one study including a total of 12 ovaries. Six recent publications present stereological estimations of the number of germ cells in ovaries and testes for the first two trimesters. ; METHODS: Germ cell numbers from 103 human first and second trimester gonads aged 37–133 days post-conception (p.c.), obtained after legal termination of pregnancy, were collected from six independent studies that all used similar validated stereological methods for estimating germ cell numbers as well as somatic cell numbers. ; RESULTS: Statistically, the six studies estimated similar number of germ cells (P > 0.05) and no interaction between the studies and age was found (P > 0.05), indicating that the increase in cell numbers in relation to age was of comparable magnitude in each study. The number of germ cells increased from a mean of 7200 to 4 933 000 in fetal ovaries and from 3700 to 1 417 000 in fetal testes, from week 5 to week 19 p.c. A higher rate of increase was found for female germ cells as compared with males (P = 0.004). During the same period, the number of somatic cells increased from a mean of 158 000 to 1 017 000 in ovaries and from 154 000 to 2 035 000 in testes, respectively. ; CONCLUSIONS: By the use of validated stereological methods, this study provides more accurate and improved information on human germ and somatic cell numbers in ovaries and testes during the first two trimesters of pregnancy.
KW - Germ cells
KW - Human embryos
KW - First and second trimester pregnancy
U2 - 10.1093/humrep/der149
DO - 10.1093/humrep/der149
M3 - Journal article
VL - 26
SP - 2140
EP - 2145
JO - Human Reproduction
JF - Human Reproduction
SN - 0268-1161
IS - 8
ER -