Rapid ovarian transcript changes during the onset of premature ovarian insufficiency

Problems in ovary function leads to reduced fertility or infertility. One such condition is premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) which affects 1% of women under 40 years of age, and in over 70% of these, the cause of POI is unknown. To investigate POI, we have developed a mouse model. These mice are initially fertile but develop POI by 3 months of age. In this study, we investigated the changes in genes activated in the ovaries during the transition from fertility to POI, and we did this by comparing to normal mice; gene activation leads to molecule production. A molecule known as Cathepsin K seems to trigger changes during the onset of POI, followed by others related to structure and immune response pathways. In addition, some genes were identified that are shared between the POI mice and POI women.