PhD defence by Lea Bejstrup Jensen

Human ovarian follicular cells in vitro: regulation during luteinization and implications for cell-based hormone replacement therapy

Assessment Committee:
Professor Anders Hay-Schmidt, Department of Odontology, University of Copenhagen (Chairperson)
Professor Mats Brännström, University of Gothenburg
Professor Christiani Andrade Amorim, Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain)

Supervisors:
Clinical Associate Professor Anette Tønnes Pedersen
Senior Scientist Stine Gry  Kristensen
PhD Jane Alrø Bøtkjær
PhD, Overlæge Kirsten Louise Tryde Macklon
Senior Scientist Jesús Cadenas Moreno

Department:
Department of Clinical Medicine

Graduate Programme:
Life Cycle in Medicine

Place:
Opgang 44, Stuen, Room: Rigshospitalet Auditorium 2, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100 København Ø

Email address to gain access to the thesis: lea.bejstrup.jensen@regionh.dk 
You will either receive a copy of the thesis or be informed where you can read a physical copy.
Recipients of copies of the thesis are not allowed to share or distribute it due to copyright compliance.

Short description of the thesis:
Hormone production in the ovary relies on the interaction of different cell types that change their function throughout the menstrual cycle. This PhD thesis investigates luteinization in human ovarian granulosa cells in vitro, a process essential for the production of progesterone after ovulation. The research also develops a method to purify and study human theca cells, which contribute to the synthesis of steroid hormones. By improving our understanding of how these cell types develop and interact, the findings provide valuable knowledge of ovarian biology and lay the groundwork for future cell-based therapies aimed at hormone replacement and fertility preservation.