PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

Scientists create ‘mini-ovaries’ that may shed light on sex determination and infertility

2025-05-10
(Press-News.org) A new model of tiny human ovary organoids, or ovaroids, has been developed from stem cells, according to research presented at the first Joint Congress between the European Society of Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) and the European Society of Endocrinology (ESE). This achievement may help to understand and develop treatments for conditions in which these organs do not develop or function properly, including differences in sex development and infertility.

During human embryo development, sex determination occurs at a very early stage, making the process difficult to study and understand. Typically, gonads begin to form at about four weeks, and the decision to become testes or ovaries happens at about six weeks. Sometimes, however, there is a mismatch between an individual’s sex chromosomes and gonadal or anatomical sex — a group of rare conditions known as differences in sex development (DSDs). 

While these conditions are rare — about 1 in 4,500 — milder forms occur in about 1 in 200 people. DSDs are often detected prenatally or in infancy, though some do not become evident until puberty or later. In the past 15 years, a growing number of genes have been implicated in atypical gonad development, but approximately 50% of children with DSDs due to atypical gonad formation still lack a definitive genetic diagnosis. 

To understand gonad development and disease, researchers from the Institut Pasteur in Paris differentiated human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) into granulosa-like cells — an ovarian somatic cell type which helps eggs grow and mature — and primordial germ cell-like cells. Next, they combined the two cell populations to form the human ovaroids that replicate key structural and functional aspects of ovarian follicles. 

While other ovaroid models exist, this is the first time for granulosa-like cells and primordial germ cell-like cells to be generated together, without introducing exogenous transcription factors, to produce organoids. “Transcription factors are proteins that bind to specific DNA sequences and turn nearby genes on or off, so using external ones can override the innate genetic programme of the cells, which makes the derived populations unsuitable for disease modelling,” said senior author Dr Anu Bashamboo.

Previously, researchers from the Institut Pasteur, along with collaborators from the Francis Crick Institute, developed somatic cells of the testes — specifically Sertoli cells which are commonly affected in DSDs — from hiPSCs. The team grew somatic gonadal cells with male chromosomes (XY), carrying a genetic variant of a specific gene associated with atypical testis development. As a result, these cells were unable to form three-dimensional tubular structures that resemble the testis cords, leading to a dysgenetic gonad that mimics DSDs.

“By creating human-specific, lab-grown models of both testicular and ovarian development using induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), the research overcomes key limitations in the field —particularly the lack of suitable animal models due to poor conservation of developmental genes and mechanisms across species — and provides a powerful platform for studying gene function in a controlled environment,’ said Dr Bashamboo.

“Our work more broadly contributes a scalable, human-relevant model system to developmental biology, reproductive medicine and genetic diagnostics. It bridges the gap between basic science and clinical application, offering tools that could improve diagnostic yields and support the development of targeted treatments for individuals with DSDs and related reproductive disorders, including infertility and certain types of ovarian tumours” said Dr Bashamboo.

Dr Bashamboo added: “Our model also opens up new possibilities for screening drugs and environmental toxins affecting human gonads, personalised medicine and future therapeutic interventions.”

 

--------ENDS--------

 

END



ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

CrystalTac: vision-based tactile sensor family fabricated via rapid monolithic manufacturing

2025-05-10
A research paper by scientists at Imperial College London presented CrystalTac, a vision-based tactile sensor family fabricated via rapid monolithic manufacturing. The research paper, published on Apr. 10, 2025 in the journal Cyborg and Bionic Systems. Recently, vision-based tactile sensors (VBTSs) have gained popularity in robotics systems. The sensing mechanisms of most VBTSs can be categorized based on the type of tactile features they capture. Each category requires specific structural designs to convert physical contact into optical information. The complex architectures of VBTSs pose challenges for traditional manufacturing techniques ...

Soft robots with Cy5: an “intake and work” imaging technique for intraoperative navigation of gastric lesion

2025-05-10
A research paper by scientists at Zhejiang University presented . The research paper, published on Apr. 11, 2025 in the journal Cyborg and Bionic Systems. Laparoscopic surgery for early gastric cancer has gained global popularity due to its notable short-term benefits and comparable oncological prognosis to open surgery. However, accurately locating early gastric cancer during laparoscopic surgery remains a challenge, as these tumors are limited to the mucous and submucosal membranes, making them undetectable through gross analysis of the serosa layer in the intraperitoneal view. ...

The greater a woman’s BMI in early pregnancy, the more likely her child is to develop overweight or obesity, Australian study finds

2025-05-09
New research being presented at this year’s European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2025) highlights the need to support women and their families with overweight or obesity to optimise their health and weight before they become pregnant. The Australian study found the greater a woman’s BMI in pregnancy, the greater her child’s weight from birth to the age of ten. This was the case regardless of whether the woman took part in a dietary and lifestyle intervention (LI) while pregnant or received ...

The combination of significant weight gain and late motherhood greatly increases a woman’s risk of breast cancer, UK study finds

2025-05-09
Women who experience significant weight gain after the age of 20 and either have their first child after the age of 30 or don’t have children are almost three times more likely to develop breast cancer than those who give birth earlier and whose weight remains relatively stable, new research from the UK being presented at this year’s European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2025) has found. Previous research has shown that weight gain in adulthood increases the risk of developing breast cancer after the menopause. Other research has found that an early first pregnancy may cut the risk of breast cancer.  For example, a review ...

Weight-loss drugs cut alcohol intake by almost two-thirds, research in Ireland suggests

2025-05-09
Individuals who take liraglutide or semaglutide for weight loss reduce their alcohol consumption by almost two-thirds in four months, new research being presented at this year’s European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2025) has found. Alcohol use disorder is a relapsing condition that accounts for 2.6 million deaths a year – 4.7% of all deaths globally. Treatments such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), therapies that aim to strengthen motivation to stop or reduce drinking and medication can be very successful in the short-term, however, 70% of patients relapse ...

Swedish study explores differences in how the sexes break down fat

2025-05-09
The research focused on lipolysis, the process through which triglycerides – lipids stored in fat cells – are broken down to produce free fatty acids and glycerol, which can be used as energy, during exercise or between meals. “The breakdown of lipids through lipolysis is essential for energy balance and it is believed that doing it effectively may prevent type 2 diabetes and other metabolic complications of overweight and obesity,” says Professor Peter Arner, of the Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, ...

Antibiotics taken during infancy linked to early puberty in girls

2025-05-09
Girls given antibiotics during their first year of life, especially in the first three months, are more likely to enter puberty at an earlier age, according to research presented at the first Joint Congress between the European Society of Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) and the European Society of Endocrinology (ESE). The likelihood of early puberty was also higher among those exposed to a greater variety of antibiotic classes. The findings highlight the importance of using these medicines in infants appropriately ...

Real-world evidence links long-term use of oral and inhaled steroids to adrenal insufficiency

2025-05-09
Individuals taking steroid tablets for more than 3 months are over 6 times more likely to be diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency than those treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, according to research presented at the first Joint Congress between the European Society of Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) and the European Society of Endocrinology (ESE). In addition, they have a greater risk of being hospitalised for adrenal insufficiency, while long-term users of inhaled steroids have an increased risk of developing adrenal insufficiency but without any increase in the number of hospitalisations. The findings ...

Phthalates may impact key genital measurement in 3-year-olds

2025-05-09
Three-year-old boys are more likely to have a shorter anogenital distance when their mothers have high levels of phthalates in their urine, according to research presented at the first Joint Congress between the European Society of Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) and the European Society of Endocrinology (ESE). In girls, the direct exposure to phthalates was associated with a shorter anogenital distance. The findings highlight how exposure to environmental pollutants can cause alterations in genital measurements during the first three years of life, which may affect sexual development and fertility later in life. Phthalates ...

Phosphate levels in blood strongly affect sperm quality in men

2025-05-09
Men with fertility issues have lower levels of phosphate in the blood than average, according to research presented at the first Joint Congress between the European Society of Paediatric Endocrinology (ESPE) and the European Society of Endocrinology (ESE). In addition, low phosphate concentrations in the blood were associated with reduced sperm motility in infertile men. The findings can help researchers improve the understanding of the biological factors involved in male reproductive health, which could lead to new fertility treatments. Over the past 50 years, sperm counts worldwide have halved, sperm quality has declined alarmingly and 15% of all heterosexual couples are ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

New way to find “aged” cells marks fresh approach for research into ageing

From blood sugar to brain relief: GLP-1 therapy slashes migraine frequency

Variability in heart rate during sleep may reveal early signs of stroke, depression or cognitive dysfunction, new study shows

New method to study catalysts could lead to better batteries

Current Molecular Pharmacology impact factor rises to 2.9, achieving Q2 ranking in the Pharmacology & Pharmacy category in 2024 JCR

More time with loved ones for cancer patients spared radiation treatment

New methods speed diagnosis of rare genetic disease

Genetics of cardiomyopathy risk in cancer survivors differ by age of onset

Autism inpatient collection releases genetic, phenotypic data for more than 1,500 children with autism

Targeting fusion protein’s role in childhood leukemia produces striking results

Clear understanding of social connections propels strivers up the social ladder

New research reveals why acute and chronic pain are so different – and what might make pain last

Stable cooling fostered life, rapid warming brought death: scientists use high-resolution fusuline data reveal evolutionary responses to cooling and warming

New research casts doubt on ancient drying of northern Africa’s climate

Study identifies umbilical cord blood biomarkers of early onset sepsis in preterm newborns

AI development: seeking consistency in logical structures

Want better sleep for your tween? Start with their screens

Cancer burden in neighborhoods with greater racial diversity and environmental burden

Alzheimer disease in breast cancer survivors

New method revolutionizes beta-blocker production process

Mechanism behind life-threatening cancer drug side-effect revealed

Weighted vests might help older adults meet weight loss goals, but solution for corresponding bone loss still elusive

Scientists find new way to predict how bowel cancer drugs will stop working – paving the way for smarter treatments

Breast cancer patients’ microbiome may hold key to avoiding damaging heart side-effects of cancer therapies

Exercise-induced protein revives aging muscles and bones

American College of Cardiology issues guidance on weight management drugs

Understanding the effect of bedding on thermal insulation during sleep

Cosmic signal from the very early universe will help astronomers detect the first stars

With AI, researchers find increasing immune evasion in H5N1

Study finds hidden effects of wildfires on water systems

[Press-News.org] Scientists create ‘mini-ovaries’ that may shed light on sex determination and infertility