Vol 56(10-11-12) | The International Journal of Developmental Biology

Volume 56 > Issue 10-11-12 (Special Issue)

Female Germ Cells in Development & Tumors

Edited by: Maurizio Zuccotti, Carlo A. Redi and Silvia Garagna

Cover Legend

La Folie des Grandeurs [Megalomania or Delusions of Grandeur] (1962) painted by the Belgian surrealist René F.G. Magritte (1898-1967), is suggestive of the theory of ovist preformationism which held that unborn offspring existed fully formed in the eggs of its mother prior to conception. This idea was heralded by Antonio Vallisnieri (1661-1730), who even believed that in the ovary of the first woman, the entire human race in miniature was present from the beginning. In addition, Magritte’s painting is also reminiscent of the phenomenon of parthenogenesis, embryo development from an unfertilized egg, which is the biopathological origin of ovarian teratoma tumors. Oil on canvas. 100.4 x 81.3 cm. Access # 78-145 E. Photographer: Hickey-Robertson, Houston, TX, USA. Reproduced with kind permission from The Menil Collection, Houston TX, USA.

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Preface

Study an egg today to make an embryo tomorrow

Maurizio Zuccotti, Carlo Alberto Redi and Silvia Garagna

Int. J. Dev. Biol. (2012) 56: 761-764

https://doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.130027mz

Female germ cells in development

Over 40 years of mentoring, educating, and researching in the world of oocytes

Catherine M.H. Combelles and David Albertini

Int. J. Dev. Biol. (2012) 56: 765-770

https://doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.120176cc

From primordial germ cells to oocytes

The migration and loss of human primordial germ stem cells from the hind gut epithelium towards the gonadal ridge

Linn Salto Mamsen, Christian Beltoft Brøchner, Anne Grete Byskov and Kjeld Møllgard

Int. J. Dev. Biol. (2012) 56: 771-778

https://doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.120202lm

Regulation of germ cell meiosis in the fetal ovary

Cassy M. Spiller, Josephine Bowles and Peter Koopman

Int. J. Dev. Biol. (2012) 56: 779-787

https://doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.120142pk

Comparative molecular portraits of human unfertilized oocytes and primordial germ cells at 10 weeks of gestation

Ferdinand Diedrichs, Barbara Mlody, Peggy Matz, Heiko Fuchs, Lukas Chavez, Katharina Drewsand James Adjaye

Int. J. Dev. Biol. (2012) 56: 789-797

https://doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.120230ja

Folliculogenesis

Metabolism throughout follicle and oocyte development in mammals

Esther Collado-Fernandez, Helen M. Picton and Rémi Dumollard

Int. J. Dev. Biol. (2012) 56: 799-808

https://doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.120140ec

The role of Akt signalling in the mammalian ovary

Sandra Cecconi, Annunziata Mauro, Valerio Cellini and Felice Patacchiola

Int. J. Dev. Biol. (2012) 56: 809-817

https://doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.120146sc

The antral follicle: a microenvironment for oocyte differentiation

Margo L. Hennet and Catherine M. H. Combelles

Int. J. Dev. Biol. (2012) 56: 819-831

https://doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.120133cc

Influence of the zona pellucida of the mouse egg on folliculogenesis and fertility

Paul M. Wassarman and Eveline S. Litscher

Int. J. Dev. Biol. (2012) 56: 833-839

https://doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.120136pw

Oocyte ageing and its cellular basis

Ursula Eichenlaub-Ritter

Int. J. Dev. Biol. (2012) 56: 841-852

https://doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.120141ue

Genetic and epigenetic signatures

OCT4 and the acquisition of oocyte developmental competence during folliculogenesis

Maurizio Zuccotti, Valeria Merico, Martina Belli, Francesca Mulas, Lucia Sacchi, Blaz Zupan, Carlo Alberto Redi, Alessandro Prigione, James Adjaye, Riccardo Bellazzi and Silvia Garagna

Int. J. Dev. Biol. (2012) 56: 853-858

https://doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.120174mz

Knowledge-based bioinformatics for the study of mammalian oocytes

Francesca Mulas, Lucia Sacchi, Lan Zagar, Silvia Garagna, Maurizio Zuccotti, Blaz Zupan and Riccardo Bellazzi

Int. J. Dev. Biol. (2012) 56: 859-866

https://doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.120138fm

OPEN ACCESS

DNA methylation establishment during oocyte growth: mechanisms and significance

Shin-Ichi Tomizawa, Joanna Nowacka-Woszuk and Gavin Kelsey

Int. J. Dev. Biol. (2012) 56: 867-875

https://doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.120152gk

Genome organization and epigenetic marks in mouse germinal vesicle oocytes