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Patterns of intercellular connectivity in the mammalian cumulus‐oocyte complex
Author(s) -
Albertini David F.,
Rider Virginia
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
microscopy research and technique
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.536
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1097-0029
pISSN - 1059-910X
DOI - 10.1002/jemt.1070270206
Subject(s) - oocyte , zona pellucida , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , cytoskeleton , extracellular matrix , cell type , intracellular , neuroscience , anatomy , cell , genetics , embryo
Electron and fluorescence microscopic techniques have been used in a complementary fashion to study the patterns of follicle cell‐oocyte interactions within cumulus‐oocyte‐complexes of various mammals. The principal findings are: (1) two distinct types of transzonal processes exist that are distinguishable on the basis of cytoskeletal composition; (2) in some of the species examined (pig, goat, primate), corkscrew‐shaped processes rich in tubulin, traverse the zona pellucida and are invaginated into the oocyte cortex; (3) actin‐rich processes either ramify as a network at the outer surface of the zona pellucida or penetrate the zona and make contact with the oolemma in a species specific manner. These results are discussed with respect both to the need to employ complementary optical methods in assessing connectivity patterns within COC and to the possible role that extracellular matrix‐cell interactions play in the homeostatic control of oocyte growth and maturation. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.