Emerging Frontiers in Ovarian Organoids: Bridging Development,Function, and Disease Modeling: A Review.

Abstract

This review highlights recent advances in ovarian organoid research. Ovarian organoids are three-dimensional (3D) structures derived from primary ovarian tissues, cancer cells, or stem cells that replicate key architectural and functional features of native ovarian tissue. Their formation requires both germ cells, such as oocytes and primordial germ cells, and somatic cells, including stromal, thecal, follicular, and epithelial cells. Ovarian organoids are typically characterized through histological, molecular, and functional analyses to confirm their structural and transcriptional resemblance to the native ovary. These organoids contain a heterogeneous population of cell types, reflecting the cellular diversity of ovarian tissue, and exhibit gene expression profiles closely aligned with those of primary ovarian tissues. Organoids derived from both normal and malignant sources hold great potential for a wide range of applications, including basic ovarian biology, cancer research and therapeutics, fertility studies, drug screening, disease and cancer modeling, endocrine function studies, personalized medicine, and pathogen interaction analysis. Despite existing technical and biological challenges, ongoing research and innovations continue to expand the potential of ovarian organoids in reproductive biology and disease management.