A small number of women (approximately 1%) suffer from premature ovarian failure in which their ovarian follicle reserve is exhausted before age 40. Recent studies in mice show that the absence of a tumor suppressor gene, PTEN, in oocytes prematurely induces global follicular activation, depleting the follicle reserve in a manner similar to premature ovarian failure.
- Takiko Daikoku
- Sudhansu K Dey
