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Science 15 May 2009:
Vol. 324. no. 5929, pp. 890 - 891
DOI: 10.1126/science.1174130
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Perspectives

Development:

Ovulation Signals

Rajesha Duggavathi1 and Bruce D. Murphy2

Successful mammalian reproduction requires that the female gamete (oocyte or egg) acquires, within the growing ovarian follicle, the ability to be fertilized. Failure to initiate or complete follicle development, or defects in the oocyte (such as aneuploidy) result in infertility. On page 938 in this issue, Fan et al. (1) describe cellular signaling pathways in the mouse ovary that support follicle maturation and, ultimately, the discharge of a mature egg. The findings could help elucidate the underlying molecular nature of ovarian pathology and infertility-producing conditions in humans.

1 Animal Science, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, H9X 3V9 Canada.
2 Centre de recherche en reproduction animale, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, J2S 7C6 Canada.

E-mail: raj.duggavathi{at}mcgill.ca; bruce.d.murphy{at}umontreal.ca

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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)