Single-cell RNA sequencing of ovarian cells from mice aged 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 5 weeks, and 6 weeks

There are at least two waves of follicle development in mammals. Wave 1 follicle development occurs as early as postnatal day 0 (P0) in mice, when follicles are formed. Wave 2 follicles become primordial follicles, which are gradually recruited in older mice and persist throughout the animal's reproductive life. The wave 1 follicles reach the antral stage by 3 weeks and can be ovulated when treated with hormones, although this does not normally occur in natural development. Despite this phenomenon being known for decades, the functions of wave 1 follicles remain unclear, particularly if they do not provide mature, healthy oocytes. Through single-cell RNA sequencing, we found that androgens, rather than estrogens, are the main hormones produced during these stages. We also observed that wave 1 follicles generate hormone producing theca cells and related interstitial gland cells to produce androgens, which may be important for puberty onset and the development of the ovary, brain, and other tissues. In this database, we present data from single-cell RNA sequencing of ovarian cells from mice aged 2 to 6 weeks, collected weekly.