Previous theories explained that female mammals do have fixed number of oocytes, but a recent study has revealed that female mice may produce eggs throughout puberty and adulthood. The ‘Reproduction’ has published the report.
Professor Jock Findlay of Prince Henry’s Institute and Jeff Kerr of Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, together, concluded the study and said that these findings may have wide implications for treatment of women’s fertility.
The total number of eggs is maintained for longer time than earlier thought in healthy adult female mice.
However, the reason behind this renewable of oocytes is still not clear. Some other experts have a view that the new eggs may be produced from stem cells in the bone marrow or the ovary. Further research is necessary to conclude the complete research.
Dr Kerr has also said that egg reproduction in mice does not mean that the same will happen in humans. However, at the same time the mechanism behind the process in mice will definitely provide for further study in humans.