Abstract: Octamer-binding transcription factor 4 （OCT4） is a member of the Pit-Oct-Unc（POU） transcription factor
family，which is expressed in embryonic stem（ES） cells，germ cells，embryonal carcinoma（EC）cells，germ-cell tumors and known to play a crucial role in the maintenance of stem cell pluripotency，self-renewal and tumor malignant behavior as a marker of stem cells. Meanwhile，OCT4 also regulates the multipotent differentiation in the embryonic development. In recent years，an increasing number of persons committed to the research about stem cell theory and OCT4 in different disciplines. This paper provides an overview about OCT4 research in obstetrics and gynecology.

Key words: Neoplastic stem cells, Embryonic stem cell, Mesenchymal stem cells, Diagnostic techniques, obstetrical and gynecological