Biomaterial Database

Ultrastructure of human cumulus-oocyte complexes from healthy and atretic follicles. 1986

P Hyttel, and L Westergaard, and A G Byskov

Follicular fluids with cumulus-oocyte complexes and granulosa cells were aspirated from antral follicles in healthy women at different stages of the normal menstrual cycle. The cumulus-oocyte complexes were processed for light and electron microscopy and classified as pre-ovulatory, healthy non-pre-ovulatory and atretic by certain light microscopical criteria, i.e. degree of expansion, number of layers and pycnotic nuclei in the cumulus investment, size of the peri-vitelline space and oocyte nuclear morphology. Their follicles were similarly classified by follicular steroid measurements and/or flow cytometric DNA analyses of the aspirated granulosa cells. A high degree of correlation between these classifications was found. Moreover, pre-ovulatory and atretic cumulus-oocyte complexes showed particular fine morphological characteristics, some of which were different while others appeared to be identical. Similarities were increased number of lipid droplets in the cumulus cells, widened peri-vitelline space, peripheral displacement or breakdown of the oocyte nucleus and disconnection of the junctions between cumulus cell projections and the oolemma. In addition to the criteria used for the light microscopical classification, pre-ovulatory complexes were characterized by release of the content of cortical granules while atretic ones displayed cumulus cells with pseudopodia-like projections, cumulus cells in the perivitelline space and lipid droplets in the ooplasm.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009865	Oocytes	Female germ cells derived from OOGONIA and termed OOCYTES when they enter MEIOSIS. The primary oocytes begin meiosis but are arrested at the diplotene state until OVULATION at PUBERTY to give rise to haploid secondary oocytes or ova (OVUM).	Ovocytes,Oocyte,Ovocyte
D010060	Ovulation	The discharge of an OVUM from a rupturing follicle in the OVARY.	Ovulations
D011374	Progesterone	The major progestational steroid that is secreted primarily by the CORPUS LUTEUM and the PLACENTA. Progesterone acts on the UTERUS, the MAMMARY GLANDS and the BRAIN. It is required in EMBRYO IMPLANTATION; PREGNANCY maintenance, and the development of mammary tissue for MILK production. Progesterone, converted from PREGNENOLONE, also serves as an intermediate in the biosynthesis of GONADAL STEROID HORMONES and adrenal CORTICOSTEROIDS.	Pregnenedione,Progesterone, (13 alpha,17 alpha)-(+-)-Isomer,Progesterone, (17 alpha)-Isomer,Progesterone, (9 beta,10 alpha)-Isomer
D004958	Estradiol	The 17-beta-isomer of estradiol, an aromatized C18 steroid with hydroxyl group at 3-beta- and 17-beta-position. Estradiol-17-beta is the most potent form of mammalian estrogenic steroids.	17 beta-Estradiol,Estradiol-17 beta,Oestradiol,17 beta-Oestradiol,Aerodiol,Delestrogen,Estrace,Estraderm TTS,Estradiol Anhydrous,Estradiol Hemihydrate,Estradiol Hemihydrate, (17 alpha)-Isomer,Estradiol Monohydrate,Estradiol Valerate,Estradiol Valeriante,Estradiol, (+-)-Isomer,Estradiol, (-)-Isomer,Estradiol, (16 alpha,17 alpha)-Isomer,Estradiol, (16 alpha,17 beta)-Isomer,Estradiol, (17-alpha)-Isomer,Estradiol, (8 alpha,17 beta)-(+-)-Isomer,Estradiol, (8 alpha,17 beta)-Isomer,Estradiol, (9 beta,17 alpha)-Isomer,Estradiol, (9 beta,17 beta)-Isomer,Estradiol, Monosodium Salt,Estradiol, Sodium Salt,Estradiol-17 alpha,Estradiol-17beta,Ovocyclin,Progynon-Depot,Progynova,Vivelle,17 beta Estradiol,17 beta Oestradiol,Estradiol 17 alpha,Estradiol 17 beta,Estradiol 17beta,Progynon Depot
D005260	Female		Females
D005434	Flow Cytometry	Technique using an instrument system for making, processing, and displaying one or more measurements on individual cells obtained from a cell suspension. Cells are usually stained with one or more fluorescent dyes specific to cell components of interest, e.g., DNA, and fluorescence of each cell is measured as it rapidly transverses the excitation beam (laser or mercury arc lamp). Fluorescence provides a quantitative measure of various biochemical and biophysical properties of the cell, as well as a basis for cell sorting. Other measurable optical parameters include light absorption and light scattering, the latter being applicable to the measurement of cell size, shape, density, granularity, and stain uptake.	Cytofluorometry, Flow,Cytometry, Flow,Flow Microfluorimetry,Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting,Microfluorometry, Flow,Cell Sorting, Fluorescence-Activated,Cell Sortings, Fluorescence-Activated,Cytofluorometries, Flow,Cytometries, Flow,Flow Cytofluorometries,Flow Cytofluorometry,Flow Cytometries,Flow Microfluorometries,Flow Microfluorometry,Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting,Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sortings,Microfluorimetry, Flow,Microfluorometries, Flow,Sorting, Fluorescence-Activated Cell,Sortings, Fluorescence-Activated Cell
D005496	Follicular Atresia	The degeneration and resorption of an OVARIAN FOLLICLE before it reaches maturity and ruptures.	Atresia, Follicular,Atresias, Follicular,Follicular Atresias
D005498	Follicular Phase	The period of the MENSTRUAL CYCLE representing follicular growth, increase in ovarian estrogen (ESTROGENS) production, and epithelial proliferation of the ENDOMETRIUM. Follicular phase begins with the onset of MENSTRUATION and ends with OVULATION.	Menstrual Cycle, Follicular Phase,Menstrual Cycle, Proliferative Phase,Menstrual Proliferative Phase,Preovulatory Phase,Phase, Follicular,Phase, Menstrual Proliferative,Phase, Preovulatory,Proliferative Phase, Menstrual
D006080	Ovarian Follicle	An OOCYTE-containing structure in the cortex of the OVARY. The oocyte is enclosed by a layer of GRANULOSA CELLS providing a nourishing microenvironment (FOLLICULAR FLUID). The number and size of follicles vary depending on the age and reproductive state of the female. The growing follicles are divided into five stages: primary, secondary, tertiary, Graafian, and atretic. Follicular growth and steroidogenesis depend on the presence of GONADOTROPINS.	Graafian Follicle,Atretic Follicle,Ovarian Follicles,Atretic Follicles,Follicle, Atretic,Follicle, Graafian,Follicle, Ovarian,Follicles, Atretic,Follicles, Graafian,Follicles, Ovarian,Graafian Follicles
D006107	Granulosa Cells	Supporting cells for the developing female gamete in the OVARY. They are derived from the coelomic epithelial cells of the gonadal ridge. Granulosa cells form a single layer around the OOCYTE in the primordial ovarian follicle and advance to form a multilayered cumulus oophorus surrounding the OVUM in the Graafian follicle. The major functions of granulosa cells include the production of steroids and LH receptors (RECEPTORS, LH).	Cell, Granulosa,Cells, Granulosa,Granulosa Cell