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Huge ovarian tumor is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage, in particular in developing countries. It can cause surgical complications. Anatomopathological examination is essential to establish the diagnosis. The role of tumor marker CA125 in a perimenopausal woman with pelvic mass has been widely debated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

False positive radioiodine uptake following thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid cancer has been reported in some cases. A 57-year-old female patient was referred for ablative radioiodine treatment four weeks after undergoing total thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid carcinoma. Posttherapeutic I-131 scintigraphy showed uptake in the neck and large focus in the lower abdomen and pelvis. Pathology revealed a mucinous adenocarcinoma of the right ovary.

Ovarian rhabdomyosarcoma is extremly rare and the diagnosis might be a real dilemma clinically and histologically. We report here the case of a 19-year-old patient, who presented a progressive increase of the abdominal volume associated with dyspnea and general conditions deterioration. The pelvic MRI showed bilateral ovarian masses associated with peritoneal carcinomatosis. CA125 was elevated (273u/ml) while other markers including bHCG, inhibine, AFP were normal. Simultaneously, the patient developed a cutaneous lesion in the thenar´s lodge of the right hand rapidly increasing volume, painful and necrotic. The MRI of the right hand showed a large necrotic tissue mass of the right thenarian lodge without bone involvement which may correspond to a secondary localization. Cutaneous biopsy was performed and revealed a skin localization of undifferentiated malignant tumour and IHC analysis were compatible with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. After these findings, an exploratory laparotomy was performed and revealed the presence of two bilateral ovarian masses with ascites of great abundance and large dissemination of carcinomatosis nodules. Several biopsies were performed and the histological analysis with IHC have confirmed the diagnosis of ovarian rhabdomyosarcoma (desmin, myogenin, myoD1 were positive). The patient received chemotherapy based on: vincristine, adriamycin and cyclophosphamide with peritoneal and thenar progression after 6 cycles. Patient refused hand amputation and was proposed for radiotherapy. A second line chemotherapy with etoposide and ifosfamide was established.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic, therapeutic and evolutionary aspects of female inguinal hernia (ovarian hernia). Patients and methods: This was a prospective and descriptive study lasting 6 years (1st January 2014 to 31st December 2019). It included all girls aged 0 to 15 years old with ovarian hernia, received in the pediatric surgery department of the Hôpital National AmirouBoubacar Diallo in Niamey. The variables studied were the socio-demographic characteristics of the patients, personal and family history, and those related to diagnostic, therapeutic and evolutionary aspects. Results: With 23 recorded cases, ovarian hernia had a hospital frequency of 8.7%. The average age of the patients was 5.6 years (range: 4 months and 11 years). The average duration of evolution before diagnosis was 8 months (range: 0 days and 36 months). The hernia was mainly located on the right side: 14 cases (60.85%). The hernial sac during the operation was most often empty: 11 cases (47.85%). It contained at least the ovary for 10 patients (43.5%). There were 2 cases of strangulated hernia (8.6%). All the patients benefited from a herniotomy. The average operating time was 26.7 days (range: 0 days and 146 days). No deaths and no postoperative complications were recorded after a 3-month follow-up. Conclusion: Ovarian hernia in this study is a rare condition often encountered in young girls. In spite of a late treatment, the therapeutic results were satisfactory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary (TGMO) are rare ovarian tumors. Each histological type can have clinical and therapeutic particularities which it is important to know. The objective was to report and analyze the particularities of the epidemiological, diagnostic, anatomopathological, therapeutic and prognostic data of TGMO in Tunisian context. Methods: this study is a retrospective descriptive and analytical survey carried out at the Gynecology-Obstetrics departments of the CHU FARHAT HACHED in Sousse over a period of 21 years collecting all the cases of patients having been treated for TGMO. Results: a total number of 30 files was eligible for our study. The average age of our patients was 22 years. The majority of patients were in a period of genital activity. The reason for the consultation was mainly represented by abdomino-pelvic pain followed by an increase in abdominal volume. Abdominopelvic ultrasound was performed in 80% of our patients showing a suspicious appearance of malignancy in 100% of them. For our patients, 70% were approached by median laparotomy given the tumor volume and only 30% by laparoscopy. 76.7% had conservative treatment. The predominance of stage I was noted while there was no case in stage IV. The overall survival for all stages was 96.7% at 2 years and 85.7% at 5 years and 75.8% at 10 years. The prognostic factors of the TGMOs isolated from our series were the consultation time greater than 6 months, the age greater than 30 years, the tumor size greater than 20cm and the tumor stage. Conclusion: it would be more interesting to bring together the other cases of TGMO diagnosed in other cancer registries in the country in order to establish a national register of rare ovarian tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Squamous cell carcinoma arising from a mature teratoma of the ovary is rare. Diagnosis is usually made after surgery, although some elements allow presumption, including patient age, tumor size and tumor marker dosage. Treatment is a big challenge because of the rarity and aggressiveness of this entity of ovarian cancer. We report the case of a 50-year-old woman with squamous cell carcinoma arising from a mature teratoma of the right ovary. Through this observation, we review the various clinical, radiological, pathological, therapeutic and prognostic aspects of this rare form of ovarian cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Résumé Introduction Les tumeurs neuroendocrines de l’ovaire sont extrêmement rares. Dans la localisation ovarienne, on réserve habituellement le terme de tumeur neuroendocrine aux tumeurs carcinoïdes même si on décrit également des carcinomes neuroendocrines à petites cellules ainsi que des tumeurs à grandes cellules comme elles peuvent également s’observer au niveau pulmonaire. Ces tumeurs carcinoïdes peuvent se développer de novo ou à partir d’autres tumeurs, notamment des tératomes. Observation Nous rapportons une tumeur carcinoïde ovarienne développée au contact ou à partir d’un kyste dermoïde qui se singularise par son mode de découverte dans un service de dermatologie où la patiente consultait en raison d’une érythrose faciale permanente, associée à des flushs mais aussi à des télangiectasies du visage. L’interrogatoire trouvait alors la symptomatologie habituelle du syndrome carcinoïde y compris la cardiopathie. La survenue de flushs au décours des rapports sexuels aurait pu faire évoquer d’emblée la localisation pelvienne de la tumeur. Conclusion Un syndrome carcinoïde est naturellement évoqué en cas de flushs mais il doit l’être également en cas d’érythrose faciale permanente, voire même en cas de télangiectasies surtout s’il s’y s’associe une diarrhée motrice ou une insuffisance cardiaque droite. Il faut également souligner le caractère nettement moins péjoratif des cardiopathies carcinoïdes occasionnées par des tumeurs de siège ovarien en comparaison aux autres localisations plus habituelles de ces tumeurs. Introduction Ovarian neuroendocrine tumors are extremely rare. In the ovary, the term of neuroendocrine tumor is usually related to carcinoid tumors although it may be sometimes applied to neuroendocrine carcinomas of non-small cells or small cells cancers usually occurring in the lungs. These carcinoid tumors may develop de novo or from other tumors including teratomas. Case report We report a patient who presented with an ovarian carcinoid tumor developed, near or from a dermoid cyst, which was original by its mode of discovery in the dermatology department. Indeed, the patient consulted because of permanent facial erythrosis, with flushes but also facial telangiectasias. During medical examination, classic symptoms of carcinoid syndrome including heart disease were obvious. The occurrence of flushes during coitus should evoke pelvic tumor location. Conclusion A carcinoid syndrome is naturally evoked in the presence of flushes but it must also be part of the differential diagnosis in a patient with facial erythrosis or telangiectasias, especially if they are associated with diarrhea or right heart failure. The prognosis of carcinoid heart disease is considerably better in case of ovarian location than when it is a primitive carcinoid tumor of lung or from gastrointestinal tract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors are rare secreting mesenchymal and sex cord-stromal tumors. However, they constitute one type of tumor most often responsible for virilization syndrome. A definite diagnosis is provided by histological examination following surgical excision of the tumor. It has no characterizing features on ultrasonography, in spite of the strong clinical presumption. Like many neoplasias, prognosis is related to the degree of cellular differentiation and to the presence of heterologous elements. The aim of our study was to report the case of a 22-year old woman suffering from a real virilization syndrome secondary to non-epithelial Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor of the ovary. Poorly differentiated Sertoli-Leydig tumors have high malignant potential. Treatment is surgical; taxane-platinum combination chemotherapy is an interesting adjuvant. Prognosis after surgical resection is related to the risk of relapses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Résumé Les traitements hormonaux de la ménopause (THM) estroprogestatifs sont reconnus cancérogènes pour l’humain. Dans cette mise au point, les associations entre la prise de THM et la survenue de cancers du sein, de l’ovaire et l’endomètre sont présentées, notamment en fonction des modalités de traitement. Si un THM doit être prescrit, il est préférable d’utiliser la dose la plus faible pendant une durée la plus courte possible. Il est recommandé de discuter avec la patiente des bénéfices et des risques du traitement, et de faire un suivi gynécologique régulier. Estrogen-progestagen menopausal hormonal therapy (MHT) is recognized as carcinogenic to humans. The article presents the associations between MHT and breast, ovary and endometrial cancer risks, in particular according to treatment modalities. If MHT must be prescribed, it is recommended to use the lowest dose for the shortest possible duration. Discussing with the patient the benefits but also the risks and making regular gynecological follow-up are strongly encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ovarian pregnancy is very rare and to our knowledge, no case has been reported in Cameroon. We herein report a case at the Yaounde Central Hospital. It is the case of a 29 years old woman who consulted in emergency for left pelvic pain at 9 weeks of pregnancy. The level of beta human chorionic gonadotropin was 96702 milli-international Units/ milliliter and ultrasound revealed an intra-ovarian gestational sac, an empty uterus and no peritoneal effusion. In the absence of facilities for laparoscopy, an emergency laparotomy was done. We found the non ruptured mass inside the left ovary. The left fallopian tube, the uterus and the right adnexae were normal. We did a successful ovarian dissection and resection of gestational sac. Trophoblastic tissue was found at pathology. Similar symptoms should draw attention of practitioners on the plausibility of ovarian pregnancy.

Copyright of African Journal of Cancer / Journal Africain du Cancer is the property of Lavoisier and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Résumé La qualité de vie relative à la santé (QdV) des patientes atteintes de cancer de l’ovaire est directement et lourdement impactée par l’histoire naturelle du cancer, son évolution ainsi que par ses modalités thérapeutiques. L’évaluation et la prise en compte des différents paramètres de la QdV semblent être un enjeu majeur. En effet, d’une part, il est indispensable de tenir compte de l’avis des patientes dans le choix des stratégies thérapeutiques de ce cancer de mauvais pronostic et, d’autre part, de plus en plus d’études montrent que la QdV est un facteur pronostique indépendant dans le cancer de l’ovaire. Son amélioration dans ce cas, en plus d’être une finalité en soi, serait un moyen potentiel d’améliorer la survie globale des patientes. À ce jour, il existe plusieurs outils pour évaluer la QdV des patientes atteintes de cancer de l’ovaire. Les 2 questionnaires les plus utilisés sont : le FACT-O et l’EORTC, QLQ-OV28. Le but de notre étude est d’évaluer d’après une revue de la littérature, les effets réciproques du cancer de l’ovaire sur la QdV et de la QdV sur la survie des patientes atteintes de cancer de l’ovaire, ainsi que les spécificités de chacun des 2 questionnaires communément utilisés dans l’évaluation de cette QdV. Health-related quality of life (QoL) in patients treated for ovarian cancer is directly and heavily impacted by the natural history of cancer, its evolution and its therapeutic modalities. The evaluation and consideration of various parameters of QoL seems to be a major issue. Indeed, on the one hand, it is essential to take into account the opinion of patients in the choice of therapeutic strategies for this cancer with a poor prognosis and, on the other hand, more and more studies show that QoL is an independent prognostic factor in ovarian cancer. Improvement in this case, in addition to being an endpoint by itself, would potentially improve the overall survival of patients. To date there are several tools to assess QOL of patients with ovarian cancer. The 2 questionnaires most commonly used are: FACT-O and the EORTC QLQ-OV28. The aim of our study was to evaluate from a review of the literature, the reciprocal effects of ovarian cancer on QoL and QoL on ovarian cancer survival, as well as specificities of each of the 2 questionnaires most commonly used in assessing the QoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postmenopausal hyperandrogenism is an androgen excess originating from either the adrenals and/or the ovaries. Clinically, symptoms can be moderate (increase in terminal hair growth, acnea) or severe with signs of virilization (alopecia, clitoridomegaly). In either setting, physicians need to exclude relatively rare but potentially life-threatening underlying tumorous causes, such as adrenal androgen-secreting tumors. The objectives of this review are to evaluate which hormonal measurements (T, delta 4 androstenedione, 17 OH progesterone, SDHEA, FSH, LH) and/or imaging (pelvic ultrasound, MRI or adrenal CT-scan) could be useful identifying the origin of the androgen excess. Our review illustrates that the rate of progression of hirsutism and/or alopecia, and serum testosterone levels are in favor of tumors. Pelvic MRI and adrenal CT-scan are useful tools for identifying the different causes of androgen excess., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Résumé: La chimiothérapie est fondamentale dans la prise en charge des carcinomes épithéliaux de l’ovaire aussi bien pour les stades précoces (traitement uniquement chirurgical dans de rares cas) qu’avancés et dans pratiquement toutes les étapes évolutives de la maladie. Le schéma de référence associe carboplatine-paclitaxel par voie intraveineuse. La voie intrapéritonéale a également prouvé son efficacité en première ligne dans les stades avancés après une chirurgie complète mais doit être réservée à des équipes entraînées en raison de ses contraintes techniques et des toxicités dont elle peut être responsable. En cas de rechute ou de progression les modalités de la chimiothérapie dépendent principalement de l’intervalle libre entre ce diagnostic et la dernière injection de platine. Le bévacizumab a prouvé son efficacité en prolongeant la survie sans progression en 1er ligne de traitement en association avec la chimiothérapie puis en maintenance ainsi que dans les rechutes ou progressions aussi bien sensibles que résistantes aux platines. Enfin, une meilleure connaissance de la biologie des cancers de l’ovaire permet d’envisager dans l’avenir des thérapeutiques personnalisées guidées par les caractéristiques spécifiques de chaque patiente et de chaque tumeur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physicians taking care of young women with cancer have two problems to solve: fight against the disease and improve the patient's quality of life after cancer. To manage this 'after cancer period,' they should consider preservation of fertility. This may influence the choice of oncologic treatments and also the specific use of techniques used in the field of assisted reproductive medicine. We describe here the main current techniques of conservation of the feminine fertility in oncology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: A benign tumor of middle-aged women, mucinous cystadenoma accounts for about 20% of tumors of the ovary. It can reach very large sizes., Clinical Observation: We report the case of a 42-year-old patient received for a voluminous abdomino-pelvic mass. The examination found a soft, rounded, fairly mobile abdomino-pelvic mass going up to the level of the xiphoid appendix with a light skin and collateral venous circulation. Imaging showed a circumscribed fluid formation occupying the abdomino-pelvic cavity of 40.1 x 29 x 25.7 cm developed at the expense of the ovary. A laparotomy brought to light a voluminous cyst at the expense of the left ovary with fluid content cowardly adhering to the abdominal wall and intimately to the left proboscis. The uterus and right adnexa were unremarkable. We performed a left adnexectomy with satisfactory hemostasis taking away the cyst. The adnexectomy piece weighed 13.5 kg. The surgical follow-ups were simple. Anatomo-pathological examination confirmed a mucinous cystadenoma of the ovary., Conclusion: Mucinous cystadenoma of the ovary is a benign tumor which can reach very large volumes. Its treatment is surgical and the follow-ups are usually simple., (Copyright © 2022 SFMTSI.)

Summary: The ovarian masses are rare in pediatric age and are represented primarily by functional cysts and benign tumors; the most common is mature teratoma. Goal: To study the clinical, radiological, and treatment of ovarian tumors in pediatric age. Patients and methods: Retrospective study of 34 cases of tumors and ovarian cysts collected over a period of 16 years, between 1st January 1992 and 30 December 2007 in Pediatric Surgery Department (B) of Children''s Hospital Tunis. Results: The mean age of patients was 7.69 years, with extremes ranging from 1 day to 14 years. In five cases, diagnostic was performed in prenatal period (14.7% of cases). In postnatal, pseudo-surgical table was the most frequent (38.2% of cases). Abdominopelvic ultrasound showed a cystic mass in 53.1% and a heterogeneous mass of tissue type in 28.1% in cases. The treatment was essentially surgery: oophorectomy in 32.3% of cases, a cystectomy in 32.3% of cases, an ovarectomy in 14.7% of cases and cyst puncture in 8.8% of cases. The pathological study found diagnosis of mature teratoma in 35.3% of cases, serous cystadenoma in 23.5% of cases and functional cyst in 26.4% of cases. Conclusion: Ovarian tumors in child are in the majority of mild cases. The diagnostic is based on ultrasound and treatment is usually based on surgical resection, which is preferably carried out by laparoscopic way. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents a study regarding ovary cryopreservation in experimental grafting. The study reviews experimental data in sheep and mouse animal models to assess the uncertainties, risk, and related issues on cryopreservation of ovarian tissue. Result shows that immature ovarian grafting can regenerate fertility and puberty in both models. It states that the results address epigenetics issue and provides important information for ovarian research transplantation.

Copyright of African Journal of Cancer / Journal Africain du Cancer is the property of Lavoisier and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Non-Hodgkin primary ovarian lymphoma is an extremely rare tumour of which the histogenesis remains debated. Some authors consider it the manifestation of a generalized lymphoma disease. The prognosis is evaluated on the basis of the clinical stage, the histological type and the phenotype.Wepresent the case of a 13-year-old girl who presented with pelvic pain. Pelvic ultrasonography and tomography confirmed the ovarian origin. The diagnosis of B diffuse large cell lymphoma was established from the anatomic specimen after exploratory laparotomy and pathologic examination. Problems related to this rare entity are discussed in terms of diagnosis and therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ovarian primordial follicles present original features of quiescence and long survival. Follicular growth is triggered by withdrawal of inhibitory mechanisms maintaining the quiescence and supported by a finely tuned molecular dialogue between the oocyte and its surrounding granulosa cells. The reserve of primordial follicles is oversized and functionally heterogeneous. Different spatiotemporal components can account for this heterogeneity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The strong between-animal variability in the number of ovulations and embryos produced after ovarian stimulation by gonadotropins is a major limit to the development of embryo biotechnologies in cattle. In reproductive medicine, anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) is now widely used as an endocrine marker of the ovarian follicular reserve. In the cow, as in the woman, AMH is secreted by the granulosa cells of growing follicles. We have shown recently that in the cow, AMH is a very good endocrine marker of the population of small antral follicles that constitute the direct target of ovarian stimulatory treatments. AMH concentration measured in plasma before treatment varies between animals and is positively correlated to the number of ovulations and transferable embryos produced after an ovarian stimulatory treatment. Interestingly, AMH concentrations can remain stable over several months for each animal. Moreover, the number of embryos produced after ovarian stimulation is highly repeatable and has a relatively good heritability. From these observations, we propose the determination of AMH concentration in the plasma of a potential donor cow as a simple predictive method to evaluate both its level of ovarian activity and its capacity to produce high or low numbers of embryos. Optimal conditions for implementing this diagnostic test in cattle remain to be defined considering the age, the breed, the physiological status and the environmental factors related to breeding conditions for each animal. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: It is a central dogma of female reproductive biology that oogenesis ceases around the time of birth in mammalian species. In 2004 and 2005, two studies were published by Johnson et al., in which they claimed that in the adult mouse ovary, neo-oogenesis takes place and originates from female germline stem cells that are present in either the ovarian surface epithelium or bone marrow. Following these publications, experiments showed that non-germinal stem cells could generate oocytes. However, in the mouse, ability of extra-ovarian stem cells to refurbish the ovary in new oocytes competent to ovulate, and subsequent existence of a spontaneous neo-oogenesis in the adult ovary in normal physiologic conditions, have been disputed. Morphologic studies performed in the adult mouse ovary showed that atresia of the immature follicle pool was strongly overestimated by Johnson et al., and that no intermediary stages of meiosis were seen. These observations led to the conclusion that adult female mice do not need neo-oogenesis for maintaining a normal reproductive function. However, a recent study have shown that female germline stem cells might be present in the ovarian surface epithelium in mice and humans. When sampled in GFP transgenic mice, cultured for a long period and transplanted into ovaries of sterilized mice, these cells underwent oogenesis and the mice produced offsprings. These new data support the possibility to experimentally restore fertility in women suffering from a premature ovarian failure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Malignant nonepithelial ovarian tumours represent less than 20% of ovarian cancers in adults. Apart from haematological tumours, there are mainly germ cell tumours and sex cordstromal ovarian tumours. These tumours affect young women and are diagnosed in early stages associated with a good prognosis. The management of malignant nonepithelial ovarian tumours is difficult because they are rare and because we have to propose an appropriate oncological treatment, preserving fertility for these women of child-bearing age. We propose an update on recent data in the literature, focusing on management. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The malign, primitive and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma of the ovary in young child is a rare entity. Therefore, we report the observation of a 13-years-old girl who consulted for an abdominopelvic tumour. The radiological exploration suggested an ovarian tumor. The differential diagnosis was put with the germinal tumors but the biological markers were normal. The laparotomy was indicated and highlighted an unilateral ovarian tumor, and the patient benefited of an annexectomy. The histological study revealed a primary malignant and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma of the ovary. The assessment of extension was normal and the patient received adjuvant chemotherapy. In this case report, we are underlining the difficulty of the preoperative diagnosis, the therapeutic and the prognosis of this rare entity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ovarian sex cord-stromal tumors are rare tumors that originate from the nongerminal cells of ovary. Two decades ago, the identification of juvenile granulosa-cell tumors (GCT), as a specific entity inside this group, allowed a better treatment of these tumors in children. However, little data have been reported on the natural course of the disease and reliable prognostic factors have not been yet defined. We here review the clinical and genetics aspects of granulosa tumors, based on a series of 40 children. This national collaborative study involved the French Society of Children Cancer and eight clinical departments of pediatric endocrinology. We found that early diagnosis of a tumor, revealed by clinical signs of hyperoestrogeny, is an important prognostic factor. The pathophysiology of these tumors is still debatable and several cellular- and molecular-abnormal signals could be implicated in their development. The role of growth factors and oncogenes through the signaling pathway of MAP kinase is still discussed. According to our data, FSH signaling-transduction pathway, such as a constitutionally activated Gαs, could also be implicated in the induction of granulosa cell proliferation and seems to modulate the invasiveness of the tumor. Last, we have described a low-expression pattern or an extinction of an ovarian-determination gene, FOXL2, which is related to a worse prognosis of this tumor. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

At least 600 infertile knockout mice have been produced and this review is limited to recent models involving unexpected genes in reproduction or genes involved in recently identified molecular biology pathways. They concern the female meiosis (Brca1), primordial follicles (Lhx8), granulosa cells (Lrh1), and, for both sexes, mitochondria (Immp2l) and meiosis (Ubb). Germ cells can be altered differently following the sex, as it is the case for Dicer, known to be involved in the formation of miRNA. Knockout mice can support data obtained in human, such as for HNRNPGT, whose role in the human spermatogenesis remained questionable. However, due to numerous factors involved, positive results obtained by the “candidate gene approach” remain limited (for example, SCP3 and CREM). Nevertheless, knockout mouse models bring considerable knowledge on genes possibly involved in men and women infertilities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Ovarian failure is a typical feature in Turner''s syndrome. The majority of follicles disappears prematurely after a normal determination of the ovary. This results from an accelerated loss of oocytes from the ovaries after the 18th week of fetal life or over a few postnatal years, usually before the onset of puberty. The cause and mechanism of this loss are unknown. X chromosomal anomaly due to deletions or haploinsufficiency of genes can explain the various degrees of ovarian failure. Spontaneous puberty occurs in 20–30% of Turner syndrome patients and their fertility rates vary from 5 to 10%. This indicates the possible presence and maturation of follicles in their ovaries in adolescence. In ovarian failure, the hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is necessary to achieve the development of normal female sexual characteristics, the self image or social functioning and to prevent osteoporosis. Pregnancy is now possible with oocyte donation. A careful cardiovascular follow-up is necessary. Cryoconservation represents one way for preserving the future fertility, but the optimal age of ovarian biopsy has to be studied. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Brenner tumors account for only 1 to 2% of ovarian tumors. Proliferating Brenner tumors are characterized by an epithelial proliferation, resembling superficial well-differentiated urothelial carcinomas. A single 29-year-old patient was operated on for an ovarian tumor. On gross examination, the tumor, which originated in the left ovary, was cystic multilocular and presented polyoid excrescences. A definitive histological exam showed a papillary proliferation lined by transitional cells without stroma infiltration. Mucinous cells lined some cavities. The diagnosis of proliferating Brenner tumor was made. Clinical and pathological characteristics of this rare entity will be discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Follicle culture systems have been developed so as to achieve in vitro fertilization of oocytes coming from immature follicles. The in vitro folliculogenesis methods would be especially useful in reproductive medecine to restore fertility in women having undergone ovarian cryopreservation. Several culture systems allowing in vitro growth of small follicles have been developed in mouse. These have proven to be sucessful by the birth of healthy offsprings. Some elements determine the outcome of culture: follicle isolations at a defined stage of development, follicular morphology preservation, and supplementation of growth factors or hormones. Development of follicle culture in the mouse model led to a better understanding of ovarian physiology, in particular the relation between endocrine and paracrine factors on follicle development. The in vitro techniques in mouse became a valuable tool for improving reproductive technics improvement, and for toxicology studies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Ovarian cancer represents 4500 new cases a year in France and the prognosis of such tumor is not yet clear, even for the early stages. This is notably owing to the amount and size of peritoneal tumor residual. Recently, five therapeutic trials were published concerning the intra-peritoneal chemotherapy of ovarian cancer stage III in patients to whom an optimal debulking surgery had been done. These studies were variable in there outcome showing on the one hand, either the absence of significant difference or a significant lengthening of both total life duration and life without recurrence during the period of treatment with intra-peritoneal chemotherapy. On the other hand, there was a significant increase in hematological toxicity and temporary impairment of the quality of life during intra-peritoneal treatments. There were also complications linked to the intra-peritoneal catheter, which led to the termination of the treatment protocol in some cases. However, results showed a mattering benefit of survival in spite of a notable rate of incomplete treatment protocols. These results have demonstrated the necessity to consider the intra-peritoneal adjuvant chemotherapy as a treatment option in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer stage III. Patients must be highly selected and well counseled, in order to go for this treatment option after receiving optimal debulking surgeries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The reproduction of Octopus vulgaris between Tan Tan and Boujdour is studied. The samples used are sorted monthly from commercial catches of coastal trawlers operating in this area from December 2001 to May 2003. The study shows that sexual maturity is in advance for males than for females. Two spawning periods are made out by the follow-up of the RGS: a spring period from March to July, and an autumnal period, which is less intense, between September and October. The division of spermatogonia and spermatocytes reaches its maximal intensity in July and December, whereas the spermiogenesis is active until the time of mating. The vitellogenesis starts in mid-December and extends until the following spawning period. This reveals a later gonadic development for females than for males; approximately seven months for females and three months for males. To cite this article: F.H. Idrissi et al., C. R. Biologies 329 (2006). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

During the last 15 years molecular biology studies have thrown some light on the carcinogenesis of epithelial ovarian cancer. Putative precursor lesions have been identified in prophylactic oophorectomies specimens. Tp53 mutations arise in preinvasive epithelium with loss of BRCA1 and BRCA2 functions. High grade serous carcinoma arise from precursor benign lesions. Low grade and high-grade serous carcinomas arise via different genetic pathways. Low-grade serous carcinoma arise via an “adenoma-borderline tumour-carcinoma” progression via alteration of the RAS-RAF signaling pathway. The majority of ovarian mucinous carcinoma arise via an adenoma-borderline-carcinoma sequence with activation of the RAS-RAF signaling pathway secondary to KRAS mutations. The majority of low-grade endometrioid carcinoma probably arise from ovarian endometriosis with mutations of the CTNNB1 (beta catenin) and PTEN. Genetic alterations in clear cell carcinoma are the least investigated but also support an origin from endometriosis. High-grade endometrioid carcinoma probably arise via a different pathway, involving Tp53 mutations. Tumours in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers are more likely to be invasive serous adenocarcinomas and unlikely to be borderline or mucinous tumours than tumours in age-matched controls. Moreover, recent high-throughput studies with microarrays have identified putative tumour markers, therapeutic targets and prognosis factors in epithelial ovarian cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ovarian cancer is the fourth most frequent cancer in women. A genetic predisposition is found in 10% of the cases. Environmental factors have been shown to influence the risk of developing this cancer. Moreover, mutations of the BRCA genes are responsible for a large proportion of hereditary cases. The identification of predisposing genes has permitted the development of molecular diagnosis of the genetic risk of ovarian cancer. Prophylactic surgery can now be offered to post-menopausal carriers of BRCA mutations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract: Objective. – Survival improvement of children, adolescents and young women with cancer has led to consider with more cautiousness the long time iatrogenic side effects of treatments. Among those, premature ovarian failure has been described even for children. The aim of the study was to evaluate the indications and the feasibility of ovarian tissue cryopreservation for prepubertal girls. Patients and methods. – From September 2000 to December 2004, 47 prepubertal girls were referred by oncologists for ovarian tissue cryopreservation. After informed consent, the ovarian tissue was collected and frozen by a slow cooling protocol until the temperature of liquid nitrogen. A histological analysis and a follicular account were performed. Results. – The harvest of ovarian tissue was performed for 45 patients. No surgical side effect occurred. The younger girls had a follicular density higher than the older. No metastatic ovarian tumour was found. Discussion and conclusions. – Numerous arguments as the follicular density in the ovary, the age of the patient, no surgical side effect, no metastatic ovarian tumour and recent progress in term of birth after ovarian tissue autografting allowed to think it is very important and ethical to propose an ovarian tissue cryopreservation even for children before sterilising treatment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The central dogma of female reproductive biology has long held that oogenesis ceases around birth in almost all mammals. Consequently, the ovarian reserve is definitely fixed and will continuously deplete up to the menopause in humans. New papers by Johnson et al. (2004) and by Bukovsky et al. (2004, 2005) overturn this dogma since they claim that female mice and women, respectively, produce new oocytes during adult life. The following review is mainly devoted to an analysis of the study by Johnson et al. (2004) as well as unpublished data submitted for publication from the same authors. Two bodies of evidence were presented to support their hypothesis: morphologic and experimental. Whereas morphologic data can be easily refuted, experimental data remain disturbing. In conclusion, these recent observations need to be confirmed by others, and extended by additional supporting evidence before they could be considered to question the dogma of a fixed stock of oocytes at birth. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]