Each ovarian follicle contains an immature egg and depends on its surrounding tissue for support. We study how the blood-vessel network is organized around follicles in the ovarian cortex. By revealing this hidden three-dimensional environment, we aim to understand how vessels may help follicles survive and grow. In the future, this knowledge could guide better ovarian-tissue culture and fertility-preservation strategies for patients at risk of losing ovarian function.
reNEW research
We label ovarian cortex with fluorescent markers and image the intact tissue in three dimensions using light-sheet microscopy. PODXL highlights follicles and small vessels, CD31 marks medium-sized vessels, and ACTA2 marks larger vessels. Reconstructing these networks lets us examine how vessels of different sizes are arranged around follicles and identify vascular features that may support follicle survival and growth.
Image description
A 3D view of an ovarian follicle surrounded by vessels of different sizes, revealed by light-sheet microscopy.
Credits
Fu Wei, PhD candidate, Chuva de Sousa Lopes lab, reNEW Leiden.
