The ovarian follicle is the basic functional unit of the ovary, comprising theca cells and granulosa cells (GCs). Two different types of GCs, mural GCs and cumulus cells (CCs), serve different functions during folliculogenesis. Mural GCs produce oestrogen during the follicular phase and progesterone after ovulation, while CCs surround the oocyte tightly and form the cumulus oophurus and corona radiata inner cell layer. CCs are also engaged in bi-directional metabolite exchange with the oocyte, as they form gap-junctions, which are crucial for both the oocyte's proper maturation and GC proliferation. However, the function of both GCs and CCs is dependent on proper follicular angiogenesis. Aside from participating in complex molecular interplay with the oocyte, the ovarian follicular cells exhibit stem-like properties, characteristic of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Both GCs and CCs remain under the influence of various miRNAs, and some of them may contribute to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) occurrence. Considering increasing female fertility problems worldwide, it is of interest to develop new strategies enhancing assisted reproductive techniques. Therefore, it is important to carefully consider GCs as ovarian stem cells in terms of the cellular features and molecular pathways involved in their development and interactions as well as outline their possible application in translational medicine.

Department of Anatomy Poznan University of Medical Sciences 60 781 Poznan Poland

Department of Basic and Preclinical Sciences Institute of Veterinary Medicine Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun 87 100 Torun Poland

Department of Diagnostics and Clinical Sciences Institute of Veterinary Medicine Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun 87 100 Torun Poland

Department of Histology and Embryology Poznan University of Medical Sciences 60 781 Poznan Poland

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty of Medicine Masaryk University and University Hospital Brno 602 00 Brno Czech Republic

Department of Toxicology Poznan University of Medical Sciences 60 631 Poznan Poland

Department of Veterinary Sciences Czech University of Life Sciences Prague 165 00 Prague Czech Republic

Department of Veterinary Surgery Institute of Veterinary Medicine Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun 87 100 Torun Poland

Division of Infertility and Reproductive Endocrinology Department of Gynecology Obstetrics and Gynecological Oncology Poznan University of Medical Sciences 60 535 Poznan Poland

Division of Perinatology and Women's Diseases Poznan University of Medical Sciences 60 535 Poznan Poland

Physiology Graduate Program North Carolina State University Raleigh NC 27695 USA

Prestage Department of Poultry Science North Carolina State University Raleigh NC 27607 USA

The School of Medicine Medical Sciences and Nutrition University of Aberdeen Aberdeen AB25 2ZD UK

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New Gene Markers of Exosomal Regulation Are Involved in Porcine Granulosa Cell Adhesion, Migration, and Proliferation