Candela Andrea, De Gregorio Vincenza, Genovese Vincenzo, Travaglione Angela, Cimmino Mario, Talevi Riccardo, Gualtieri Roberto
Department of Biology, University of Naples "Federico II," Complesso Universitario Di Monte S. Angelo, Via Cinthia, 80126, Naples, Italy.
IVF Research, Education, Development S.R.L., Via Josemaria Escrivà, 68, 81100, Caserta, Italy.
J Assist Reprod Genet. 2025 Aug 9. doi: 10.1007/s10815-025-03600-8.
Multi-oocyte follicles (MOFs) have been identified in various mammals, including humans, yet their origin and function remain controversial. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence and early developmental dynamics of MOFs in bovine ovaries, comparing them to single-oocyte follicles (SOFs).
Ovarian tissues from Bos taurus taurus individuals, including one case with an unusually high MOF incidence, were cultured in vitro under dynamic conditions. MOF frequency and their progression through early folliculogenesis stages were assessed histologically and via confocal microscopy.
MOFs were observed at varying frequencies, with one individual showing a notably high incidence (15.8%). In vitro culture confirmed that MOFs can activate and progress to secondary stages, similar to SOFs. However, differences in activation rates and oocyte number dynamics were noted between MOFs and SOFs, and between fresh and cultured tissues. No de novo formation of MOFs was detected in vitro.
MOFs retain the capacity for early folliculogenesis comparable to SOFs, without increased atresia. Their stable frequency postculture supports a prenatal origin. These findings offer new insights into MOF biology and suggest a possible physiological relevance in mammalian reproductive systems.
多卵母细胞卵泡（MOF）已在包括人类在内的多种哺乳动物中被发现，但其起源和功能仍存在争议。本研究旨在调查牛卵巢中MOF的发生情况及其早期发育动态，并与单卵母细胞卵泡（SOF）进行比较。
对来自黄牛个体的卵巢组织进行体外动态培养，其中包括1例MOF发生率异常高的病例。通过组织学和共聚焦显微镜评估MOF的频率及其在卵泡早期发育阶段的进展情况。
观察到MOF的频率各不相同，其中1例个体的发生率显著较高（15.8%）。体外培养证实，MOF能够激活并进展到次级阶段，与SOF相似。然而，MOF与SOF之间以及新鲜组织与培养组织之间在激活率和卵母细胞数量动态方面存在差异。体外未检测到MOF的重新形成。
MOF保留了与SOF相当的早期卵泡发生能力，且闭锁并未增加。培养后其频率稳定，支持其产前起源。这些发现为MOF生物学提供了新的见解，并提示其在哺乳动物生殖系统中可能具有生理相关性。
