{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,21]],"date-time":"2026-10-21T01:48:28Z","timestamp":1792547308718,"version":"4.5.0"},"reference-count":76,"publisher":"Oxford University Press (OUP)","issue":"3","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,26]],"date-time":"2025-12-26T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1766707200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":[],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,1]]},"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>BACKGROUND<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>The ovarian reserve is the quantity of non-growing primordial follicles (NGF) in paired ovaries. A low or high ovarian reserve at birth respectively may foreshadow early or late age at menopause. In textbooks, published papers, and internet modalities, a recurring theme is that for human females, on average, mid-gestation marks the peak supply of 7 million germ cells\/NGF followed by large-scale depletion to about 1\u20132 million in paired ovaries at birth.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>We test this narrative against the evidence for germ cell quantity and degeneration reported in peer-reviewed publications. Ovary sizes, volumes\/shapes are particularly variable among same-age foetuses and at birth. Coupled with genomic mechanisms determining germ cell proliferation\/differentiation\/survival, substantial variations of germ cell numbers are recorded within and between individual studies. Across published papers, textbooks, and webpages, germ cell numbers in foetal\u2013newborn ovaries range from thousands to 20 million. A massive 70\u201385% die-off among germ cells in foetal ovaries is reported during the second half of gestation. Although germ cell degeneration is a reality, we review also the evidence for the timing and extent of germ cell death in foetal\/newborn human ovaries.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>SEARCH METHODS<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>We cite primary publications of human embryonic, foetal\/newborn ovaries where data on germ cell numbers and death are reported, and similarly for studies of ovarian volume, shape, histology, and growth in foetal\u2013early postnatal life. Searches to September 2025 used PubMed, Google Scholar, and DOIs\/URLs from published papers, textbooks, and webpages, including keywords listed below. Textbook and webpage citations are a selection and not comprehensive, serving to illustrate the widespread narrative on human ovarian development.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>OUTCOMES<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Germ cell number estimates (oogonia, oocytes, NGF) in human embryonic, foetal, and newborn ovaries (n\u2009=\u2009139) in seven studies from 1953 until 2011 used three different quantitation methods: (i) volumetric\/model-based with correction factors, (ii) volumetric\/modified stereology, and (iii) fractionator\/optical dissector. In a 1963 study, germ cells in paired foetal ovaries at 20\u2009weeks (n\u2009=\u20092) reported 6.8 million in total with 20% atretic, and at birth (n\u2009=\u20092), 2 million in total with 50% atretic, leading to the narrative that the mid-gestation human female foetus has 7 million germ cells\/NGF that are subsequently depleted to 1\u20132 million by birth. Independent investigations of germ cell quantitation\/degeneration do not confirm these findings for total numbers nor the substantial fractions reported as degenerating. In adult women, ovarian volume is strongly correlated with the numbers of NGF but an equivalent correlation between germ cell supply and ovarian volume during foetal life up to birth has not been investigated. We conclude that the narrative whereby human foetal ovaries develop millions of germ cells followed by most degenerating up to birth has not been verified. Systematic analysis of total numbers and estimates of viable versus degenerating germ cells across gestation is needed.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>WIDER IMPLICATIONS<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Does it matter how many germ cells or primordial follicles are in the ovaries at birth? Yes, not only with regard to scientific authenticity but also for clinical investigations of gynaecological and reproductive conditions. These include situations where follicle numbers and growth dynamics are of consideration, such as premature ovarian insufficiency, early menopause, chemotherapy for cancer treatments, polycystic ovary syndrome, assisted conception and\/or IVF particularly for poor responders to gonadotrophins and predictions of age at the menopause. For fertility counselling and for women electing to delay pregnancy, it is suggested that clinicians and health professionals be aware that the age-related ovarian reserve in adults may not necessarily be in the expected range if the NGF reserve at birth was significantly lower than the narrative of 1\u20132 million at that time.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>REGISTRATION NUMBER<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>N\/A.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1093\/humupd\/dmaf031","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,11,27]],"date-time":"2025-11-27T13:09:51Z","timestamp":1764248991000},"page":"263-276","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":3,"title":["The human ovarian reserve: the narrative and the science"],"prefix":"10.1093","volume":"32","author":[{"given":"Jeffrey B","family":"Kerr","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Monash University , Clayton, VIC 3800,","place":["Australia"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2139-2969","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Raymond J","family":"Rodgers","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Biomedicine, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide , Adelaide, SA 5005,","place":["Australia"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"286","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,26]]},"reference":[{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"259","DOI":"10.1016\/S0015-0282(02)03218-1","article-title":"Preliminary studies on apoptosis in human fetal ovaries","volume":"78","author":"Abir","year":"2002","journal-title":"Fertil Steril"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1895","DOI":"10.1093\/humrep\/den197","article-title":"The developing human ovary: immunohistochemical analysis of germ-cell-specific VASA protein, BCL-2\/BAX expression balance and apoptosis","volume":"23","author":"Albamonte","year":"2008","journal-title":"Hum Reprod"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"417","DOI":"10.1098\/rspb.1963.0055","article-title":"A quantitative and cytological study of germ cells in human ovaries","volume":"158","author":"Baker","year":"1963","journal-title":"Proc R Soc Lond B Biol Sci"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B4","first-page":"591","article-title":"Oogenesis in human fetal ovaries maintained in organ culture","volume":"117","author":"Baker","year":"1974","journal-title":"J Anat"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"30","DOI":"10.1093\/humrep\/dei280","article-title":"Number of germ cells and somatic cells in human fetal ovaries during the first weeks after sex differentiation","volume":"21","author":"Bendsen","year":"2006","journal-title":"Hum Reprod"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1529","DOI":"10.1007\/s00467-011-1843-8","article-title":"Human nephron number: implications for health and disease","volume":"26","author":"Bertram","year":"2011","journal-title":"Pediatr Nephrol"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B7","first-page":"201","article-title":"A quantitative morphological investigation of the follicular system in newborn female infants","volume":"17","author":"Block","year":"1953","journal-title":"Acta Anat (Basel)"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B8","volume-title":"Human Embryology and Developmental Biology","author":"Carlson"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2103","DOI":"10.1093\/humrep\/dem137","article-title":"Estimating human ovarian non-growing follicle number: the application of modern stereology techniques to an old problem","volume":"22","author":"Charleston","year":"2007","journal-title":"Hum Reprod"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"31","DOI":"10.1186\/s12929-024-01017-6","article-title":"A matter of new life and cell death: programmed cell death in the mammalian ovary","volume":"31","author":"Chesnokov","year":"2024","journal-title":"J Biomed Sci"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"75","DOI":"10.1111\/ppe.12673","article-title":"Characterization of ovarian development in girls from birth to 9 months","volume":"35","author":"Chin","year":"2021","journal-title":"Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B12","volume-title":"Costanzo Physiology","author":"Costanzo"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2235","DOI":"10.1093\/humrep\/12.10.2235","article-title":"Apoptosis of germ cells during human prenatal oogenesis","volume":"12","author":"De Pol","year":"1997","journal-title":"Hum Reprod"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e1024405","DOI":"10.1080\/19382014.2015.1024405","article-title":"Structural similarities and differences between the human and the mouse pancreas","volume":"7","author":"Dolen\u0161ek","year":"2015","journal-title":"Islets"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1464803","DOI":"10.3389\/fendo.2024.1464803","article-title":"Primary ovarian insufficiency: update on clinical and genetic findings","volume":"15","author":"Federici","year":"2024","journal-title":"Front Endocrinol (Lausanne)"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"111","DOI":"10.1095\/biolreprod.115.133652","article-title":"How is the number of primordial follicles in the ovarian reserve established?","volume":"93","author":"Findlay","year":"2015","journal-title":"Biol Reprod"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"675","DOI":"10.1016\/j.fertnstert.2006.11.191","article-title":"Establishment of ovarian reserve: a quantitative morphometric study of the developing human ovary","volume":"88","author":"Forabosco","year":"2007","journal-title":"Fertil Steril"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"201","DOI":"10.1002\/ar.1092310208","article-title":"Morphometric study of the human neonatal ovary","volume":"231","author":"Forabosco","year":"1991","journal-title":"Anat Rec"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"R15","DOI":"10.1530\/REP-19-0201","article-title":"Advances in human primordial follicle activation and premature ovarian insufficiency","volume":"159","author":"Ford","year":"2020","journal-title":"Reproduction"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1427","DOI":"10.1210\/jc.2008-2619","article-title":"Gene expression analysis of human fetal ovarian primordial follicle formation","volume":"94","author":"Fowler","year":"2009","journal-title":"J Clin Endocrinol Metab"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"4664","DOI":"10.1210\/jc.2005-0219","article-title":"Germ cell proliferation and apoptosis in the developing human ovary","volume":"90","author":"Fulton","year":"2005","journal-title":"J Clin Endocrinol Metab"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B22","volume-title":"Textbook of Histology","author":"Gartner"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"969","DOI":"10.1007\/s10815-012-9810-2","article-title":"Variation in ovarian follicle density during human fetal development","volume":"29","author":"Geber","year":"2012","journal-title":"J Assist Reprod Genet"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"843","DOI":"10.1002\/mrd.23401","article-title":"Pathways coordinating oocyte attrition and abundance during mammalian ovarian reserve establishment","volume":"87","author":"Grive","year":"2020","journal-title":"Mol Reprod Dev"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"450","DOI":"10.1095\/biolreprod.105.047134","article-title":"Contribution of germ cells to the differentiation and maturation of the ovary: insights from models of germ cell depletion","volume":"74","author":"Guigon","year":"2006","journal-title":"Biol Reprod"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"699","DOI":"10.1093\/humrep\/dem408","article-title":"A new model of reproductive aging: the decline in ovarian non-growing follicle number from birth to menopause","volume":"23","author":"Hansen","year":"2008","journal-title":"Hum Reprod"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3417","DOI":"10.1210\/jcem.87.7.8644","article-title":"Developmental changes in expression of myeloid cell leukemia-1 in human germ cells during oogenesis and early folliculogenesis","volume":"87","author":"Hartley","year":"2002","journal-title":"J Clin Endocrinol Metab"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"805","DOI":"10.1093\/molehr\/gap055","article-title":"Oogenesis and cell death in human prenatal ovaries: what are the criteria for oocyte selection?","volume":"15","author":"Hartshorne","year":"2009","journal-title":"Mol Hum Reprod"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"4510","DOI":"10.1038\/s41467-022-31759-6","article-title":"PRC1-mediated epigenetic programming is required to generate the ovarian reserve","volume":"13","author":"Hu","year":"2022","journal-title":"Nat Commun"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"17","DOI":"10.1016\/j.mce.2010.07.020","article-title":"Regulation of cell death in human fetal and adult ovaries\u2014role of Bok and Bcl-X(L)","volume":"330","author":"J\u00e4\u00e4skel\u00e4inen","year":"2010","journal-title":"Mol Cell Endocrinol"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e13941","DOI":"10.7717\/peerj.13941","article-title":"Recapitulating human ovarian aging using random walks","volume":"10","author":"Johnson","year":"2022","journal-title":"PeerJ"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1345","DOI":"10.3390\/ijms24021345","article-title":"Regulation of oocyte apoptosis: a view from gene knockout mice","volume":"24","author":"Kaur","year":"2023","journal-title":"Int J Mol Sci"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e71465","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0071465","article-title":"Ovarian volume throughout life: a validated normative model","volume":"8","author":"Kelsey","year":"2013","journal-title":"PLoS One"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"305025","DOI":"10.1155\/2012\/305025","article-title":"Ovarian volume correlates strongly with the number of nongrowing follicles in the human ovary","volume":"2012","author":"Kelsey","year":"2012","journal-title":"Obstet Gynecol Int"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B35","volume-title":"Histology and Cell Biology: An Introduction to Pathology","author":"Kierszenbaum","year":"2007"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B36","first-page":"121","article-title":"Development of interstitial cells and ovigerous cords in the human fetal ovary: an ultrastructural study","volume":"148","author":"Konishi","year":"1986","journal-title":"J Anat"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"86","DOI":"10.1007\/BF00271175","article-title":"Oogenesis in antenatal development in man","volume":"57","author":"Kurilo","year":"1981","journal-title":"Hum Genet"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"31","DOI":"10.1186\/s12610-021-00150-8","article-title":"Effect of androgens on Sertoli cell maturation in human testis from birth to puberty","volume":"31","author":"Lapoirie","year":"2021","journal-title":"Basic Clin Androl"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"814","DOI":"10.1093\/biolre\/ioad022","article-title":"Why is there an \u201coversupply\u201d of human ovarian follicles?\u2020","volume":"108","author":"Lawley","year":"2023","journal-title":"Biol Reprod"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B40","volume-title":"Harrison\u2019s Principles of Internal Medicine","author":"Loscalzo"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2992","DOI":"10.1093\/humrep\/deab210","article-title":"Accelerated loss of oogonia and impaired folliculogenesis in females with Turner syndrome start during early fetal development","volume":"36","author":"Lundgaard Riis","year":"2021","journal-title":"Hum Reprod"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2558","DOI":"10.1093\/humrep\/dep226","article-title":"The number of oogonia and somatic cells in the human female embryo and fetus in relation to whether or not exposed to maternal cigarette smoking","volume":"24","author":"Lutterodt","year":"2009","journal-title":"Hum Reprod"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B43","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2140","DOI":"10.1093\/humrep\/der149","article-title":"Germ cell numbers in human embryonic and fetal gonads during the first two trimesters of pregnancy: analysis of six published studies","volume":"26","author":"Mamsen","year":"2011","journal-title":"Hum Reprod"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B44","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"15814","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-025-96135-y","article-title":"Mapping the anatomical and transcriptional landscape of early human fetal ovary development","volume":"15","author":"McGlacken-Byrne","year":"2025","journal-title":"Sci Rep"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B45","volume-title":"Junqueira\u2019s Basic Histology: Text and Atlas","author":"Mescher","year":"2024"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B8498248","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"219","DOI":"10.1093\/molehr\/gag031","article-title":"Accelerated germ cell apoptosis in sex chromosome aneuploid fetal human gonads","volume":"9","author":"Modi","year":"2003","journal-title":"Mol Hum Reprod"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"102","DOI":"10.1186\/s13048-021-00850-9","article-title":"Genetic determination of the ovarian reserve: a literature review","volume":"14","author":"Moiseeva","year":"2021","journal-title":"J Ovarian Res"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B47","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"569","DOI":"10.1530\/rep.1.00095","article-title":"Methods for quantifying follicular numbers within the mouse ovary","volume":"127","author":"Myers","year":"2004","journal-title":"Reproduction"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B48","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"645","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(87)92439-1","article-title":"Prognostic assessment of female fecundity","volume":"2","author":"Navot","year":"1987","journal-title":"Lancet"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B49","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1016\/j.xfnr.2020.06.001","article-title":"New perspectives on the genetic causes of diminished ovarian reserve and opportunities for genetic screening: systematic review and meta-analysis","volume":"1","author":"Nesbit","year":"2020","journal-title":"F&S Reviews"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B50","volume-title":"Wheater\u2019s Functional Histology","author":"O\u2019Dowd","year":"2024"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B51","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"37","DOI":"10.1016\/j.diff.2022.10.005","article-title":"Development of the human ovary: Fetal through pubertal ovarian morphology, folliculogenesis and expression of cellular differentiation markers","volume":"129","author":"Overland","year":"2023","journal-title":"Differentiation"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B52","volume-title":"Histology: A Text and Atlas","author":"Pawlina","year":"2020","edition":"8th edn"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B53","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"130","DOI":"10.1095\/biolreprod.114.127381","article-title":"Dynamics of the ovarian reserve and impact of genetic and epidemiological factors on age of menopause","volume":"92","author":"Pelosi","year":"2015","journal-title":"Biol Reprod"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B54","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"533","DOI":"10.1016\/j.acthis.2012.11.009","article-title":"The expression patterns of pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic factors in human fetal and adult ovary","volume":"115","author":"Poljicanin","year":"2013","journal-title":"Acta Histochem"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B55","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"532","DOI":"10.1210\/edrv-11-4-532","article-title":"Development and regulation of growth and differentiated function in human and subhuman primate fetal gonads","volume":"11","author":"Rabinovici","year":"1990","journal-title":"Endocr Rev"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B56","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"353","DOI":"10.1093\/humupd\/dmt057","article-title":"Environmental and developmental origins of ovarian reserve","volume":"20","author":"Richardson","year":"2014","journal-title":"Hum Reprod Update"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B57","volume-title":"Langman\u2019s Medical Embryology","author":"Sadler","year":"2012"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B58","first-page":"85","article-title":"Histogenesis and organogenesis of the gonad in human embryos","volume":"177","author":"Satoh","year":"1991","journal-title":"J Anat"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B59","volume-title":"PH. Larsen\u2019s Human Embryology","author":"Schoenwolf","year":"2021"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B60","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"7","DOI":"10.1016\/j.earlhumdev.2004.05.005","article-title":"Growth patterns of human ovarian volume during intrauterine and postnatal organogenesis","volume":"80","author":"Sforza","year":"2004","journal-title":"Early Hum Dev"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B61","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"5","DOI":"10.1016\/j.diff.2018.08.003","article-title":"Macroscopic whole-mounts of the developing human fetal urogenital-genital tract: Indifferent stage to male and female differentiation","volume":"103","author":"Shen","year":"2018","journal-title":"Differentiation"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B62","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"472","DOI":"10.1016\/j.rbmo.2015.06.022","article-title":"Unifying theory of adult resting follicle recruitment and fetal oocyte arrest","volume":"31","author":"Silber","year":"2015","journal-title":"Reprod Biomed Online"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B63","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"465","DOI":"10.1002\/aja.1000510208","article-title":"Development of the human ovary from birth to sexual maturity","volume":"51","author":"Simkins","year":"1932","journal-title":"Am J Anat"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B64","article-title":"The ovary: basic biology and current research","volume":"22","author":"Spencer","year":"2020","journal-title":"O & G Magazine"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B65","volume-title":"Gray\u2019s Anatomy","author":"Standring","year":"2020"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B66","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1466","DOI":"10.1093\/humrep\/deh800","article-title":"Differentiation and development of human female germ cells during prenatal gonadogenesis: an immunohistochemical study","volume":"20","author":"Stoop","year":"2005","journal-title":"Hum Reprod"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B67","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"434","DOI":"10.1093\/humupd\/dmad005","article-title":"Beyond apoptosis: evidence of other regulated cell death pathways in the ovary throughout development and life","volume":"29","author":"Stringer","year":"2023","journal-title":"Hum Reprod Update"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B68","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"26","DOI":"10.1159\/000089044","article-title":"Size and location of the fetal human ovary","volume":"21","author":"Sulak","year":"2006","journal-title":"Fetal Diagn Ther"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B69","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"449","DOI":"10.7150\/ijbs.18836","article-title":"The role of germ cell loss during primordial follicle assembly: a review of current advances","volume":"13","author":"Sun","year":"2017","journal-title":"Int J Biol Sci"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B70","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2623","DOI":"10.1152\/physrev.00032.2022","article-title":"Making a good egg: human oocyte health, aging, and in vitro development","volume":"103","author":"Telfer","year":"2023","journal-title":"Physiol Rev"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B71","volume-title":"Embryology of the Ovary and Testis, Homo sapiens and Macaca mulatta","author":"van Wagenen","year":"1965"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B72","volume-title":"Postnatal Development of the Ovary in Homo sapiens and Macaca mulatta, and Induction of Ovulation in the Macaque","author":"van Wagenen","year":"1973"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B73","first-page":"3421","article-title":"Survival of human ovarian follicles from fetal to adult life: apoptosis, apoptosis-related proteins, and transcription factor GATA-4","volume":"86","author":"Vaskivuo","year":"2001","journal-title":"J Clin Endocrinol Metab"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B74","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e8772","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0008772","article-title":"Human ovarian reserve from conception to the menopause","volume":"5","author":"Wallace","year":"2010","journal-title":"PLoS One"},{"key":"2026050501520617500_dmaf031-B75","volume-title":"Vander\u2019s Human Physiology ISE","author":"Widmaier","year":"2022","edition":"16th ed"}],"container-title":["Human Reproduction Update"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/humupd\/article-pdf\/32\/3\/263\/66134562\/dmaf031.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"syndication"},{"URL":"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/humupd\/article-pdf\/32\/3\/263\/66134562\/dmaf031.pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,5]],"date-time":"2026-05-05T05:52:25Z","timestamp":1777960345000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/humupd\/article\/32\/3\/263\/8405518"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,26]]},"references-count":76,"journal-issue":{"issue":"3","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,26]]},"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,1]]}},"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/humupd\/dmaf031","relation":{},"ISSN":["1355-4786","1460-2369"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1355-4786","type":"print"},{"value":"1460-2369","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published-other":{"date-parts":[[2026,5]]},"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,26]]}}}