Summary
Cumulus-oocyte complexes were obtained from cows by aspiration of small (1–6 mm in diameter) antral follicles after slaughter. Complexes with a compact multilayered cumulus investment were cultured and processed for transmission electron microscopy after different periods of culture including a 0 h control group. In 0 h control oocytes the cumulus cells had numerous projections which penetrated the zona pellucida and established gap junctions with the oolemma. A partial loss of these junctions was noticed as an early event of oocyte maturation occurring within the first 3 h of culture. A low frequency of gap junctions was maintained until 12–18 h of culture where the junctional contact was completely disrupted. This decrease in intercellular communication was parallelled by resumption of oocyte meiosis.
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Hyttel, P. Bovine cumulus-oocyte disconnection in vitro. Anat Embryol 176, 41–44 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00309750
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00309750