Deletion of gal-1 impairs ovarian follicle growth in mice

Galectins are a family of carbohydrate-binding proteins with an affinity for β-galactosides. In particular, galectin-1 (gal-1) is differentially expressed by healthy and pathological tissues and appears to be functionally polyvalent, with a wide range of biological activity in the reproductive tract. To characterize its physiological function(s) in the ovary, we analyzed gal-1−/− knockout mice. Morphology of ovaries were compared at different estrous cycle stages in adult female mice. Both the ovarian and body weights in KO mice decreased to 20% of WT. Less primordial follicles undergoing the pre-antral and antral stages before they reach the pre-ovulatory stage could be noticed in gal-1 deficient female mice compared to their wild type counterparts. Additionally, deletion of gal-1 leads to the presence of numerous unusual atretic follicles, suggesting gal-1 plays an important role in the regression of follicles. Taken together, our results uncover a new role for gal-1 in the regulation of ovarian follicles development and highlight the need of further research in this area with the hope of developing new fertility treatments.