Progress in mechanism of granulosa cell and oocyte autophagy in ovarian follicular growth and atresia

The incidence of ovarian reproductive diseases such as premature ovarian failure and polycystic ovary syndrome are increasing, which has become the diseases that harm to female physical and psychological health seriously. Current studies suggest that follicular atresia in ovarian reproductive diseases has a great relationship with apoptosis of oocyte and granulosa cell. However, with the deepening of the study, researchers find that apoptosis is not the only factor that cause follicular atresia. Induced autophagy can also act on human granulosa cell and oocyte so as to participate in the follicular growth, atresia and differentiation. Therefore, we make a review of current researches of oocyte and granulosa cell apoptosis and summarize autophagy mechanism in ovarian follicular growth and atresia in order to provide a reference information for future research. Key words: Follicular growth and atresia; Autophagy; Granulosa cell; Oocyte