ABSTRACT
The mammalian ovary is the major female gonad with two primary functions: production of a viable germ cell and generation of the sex steroid hormones. Both of these functions are performed by follicular structures, in which the oocyte (germ cell) is surrounded by granulosa cells and eventually also by theca cells. Interaction between the granulosa cell layer and oocyte maintains oocyte viability, while interaction between the granulosa and theca cells results in steroid hormone production; thus, anything that disrupts follicular health will impair fertility. Follicles are present within the ovary at a variety of different developmental stages, the most immature of which is the primordial follicle. Females are born with a nite number of primordial follicles, composed of a meiotically arrested oocyte surrounded by attened granulosa cells, which serve as the ovarian follicular reserve (Hirsheld, 1991). Once depleted, primordial follicles cannot be replaced, and the ovary eventually undergoes ovarian failure, commonly known as menopause (Hoyer and Sipes, 1996; Hoyer, 2001, 2005). Postmenopausal women are at an increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and colorectal and ovarian cancer (Hoyer and Sipes, 1996; Hoyer, 2001, 2005); thus,
2.1 Introduction .................................................................................................... 15 2.1.1 Biotransformation Enzymes ............................................................... 16
2.2 Trichloroethylene ............................................................................................ 18 2.3 7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene .................................................................... 19 2.4 4-Vinylcyclohexene .........................................................................................22 2.5 Chemotherapeutics .........................................................................................25 2.6 Phosphatidyinositol-3 Kinase .........................................................................27
