Abstract: Recent studies have shown that ovary may contain germline stem cells which have potential of self-renewal and differentiation. Germline stem cells can produce new oocytes and maintain primordial follicles. The studies aimed at exploring the isolation and culture of germline stem cells and the regulation of the differentiation of germline stem cells may throw light in our cognition of reproductive physiology, and provide new strategy in treatment of ovarian infertility and preservation of fertility of ovarian malignant cancer patients.

Key words: Ovary, Germline stem cells, Differentiation regulation