Exclusion of polymeric immunoglobulins and selective immunoglobulin Y transport that recognizes its Fc region in avian ovarian follicles

In avian species, blood immunoglobulin (Ig) Y, the equivalent to mammalian IgG, is selectively incorporated into ovarian follicles, but other classes, IgA and IgM, are much less abundant in the follicles. Several mammalian Igs, including IgG and IgA, are also incorporated into ovarian follicles when administered to birds. To clarify the Ig structure required for incorporation into ovarian follicles, Ig uptakes were determined after the intravenous injection of chicken and human Igs. Three chicken Igs (cIgY, cIgA and cIgM) and two human IgAs (monomeric hIgA and polymeric hIgA) were labeled with digoxigenin, and their uptakes into quail (Coturnix japonica) egg yolks were determined by ELISA and SDS-PAGE. The uptake of cIgY was the highest among the three cIgs (22% of injected cIgY was recovered from egg yolks). Chicken IgA was efficiently incorporated into egg yolk when it formed a monomeric state. Pentameric IgM was untransportable into egg yolk. We also found that the uptake of monomeric hIgA was much more efficient than that of polymeric hIgA. These results suggest that the retention of the monomeric form contributes to the efficient transport of Igs into ovarian follicles. On the other hand, Ig uptakes among monomeric Igs nevertheless differed; for example, a time-course analysis showed that the rate of monomeric cIgY uptake was approximately eight times faster than that of monomeric hIgA. The injection of cIgY fragments Fc, Fab and F(ab')(2) resulted in the largest uptake of Fc fragment, with the same level as that of cIgY. These results suggest the presence of a selective IgY transport system that recognizes its Fc region in avian ovarian follicles.     

Expression of aquaporin 4 in the chicken ovary in relation to follicle development

In the mammalian ovary, aquaporins (AQPs) are thought to be involved in the regulation of fluid transport within the follicular wall and antrum formation. Data concerning the AQPs in the avian ovary is very limited. Therefore, the present study was designed to examine whether the AQP4 is present in the chicken ovary, and if so, what is its distribution in the ovarian compartment of the laying hen. Localization of AQP4 in the ovarian follicles at different stage of development was also investigated. After decapitation of hens the stroma with primordial follicles and white (1–4 mm), yellowish (4–8 mm), small yellow and the three largest yellow pre‐ovulatory follicles F3‐F1 (F3 < F2 < F1; 20–36 mm) were isolated from the ovary. The granulosa and theca layers were separated from the pre‐ovulatory follicles. The AQP4 mRNA and protein were detected in all examined ovarian compartments by the real‐time PCR and Western blot analyses, respectively. The relative expression of AQP4 was depended on follicular size and the layer of follicular wall. It was the lowest in the granulosa layer of pre‐ovulatory follicles and the highest in the ovarian stroma as well as white and yellowish follicles. Along with approaching of the largest follicle to ovulation the gradual decrease in AQP4 protein level in the granulosa layer was observed. Immunoreactivity for AQP4 was present in the granulosa and theca cells (theca interna ≥ theca externa > granulosa). The obtained results suggest that AQP4 may take part in the regulation of water transport required for follicle development in the chicken ovary.     

Leptin Immunohistochemical Staining in the Porcine Ovary

This study aimed to investigate leptin immuno‐staining of the porcine ovary in different reproductive stages. Ovaries from 21 gilts were collected from slaughterhouses. The ovarian tissue sections were incubated with a polyclonal anti‐leptin as a primary antibody. The immuno‐staining in ovarian tissue compartments was calculated using imaging software. Leptin immuno‐staining was found in primordial, primary, preantral and antral follicles. Leptin immuno‐staining was expressed in the oocyte and granulosa and theca interna layers in both preantral and antral follicles. In the corpora lutea, leptin immuno‐staining was found in the cytoplasm of the luteal cells. The leptin immuno‐staining in the granulosa cell layer of preantral follicles did not differ compared to antral follicles (90.7 and 91.3%, respectively, P > 0.05). However, the leptin immuno‐staining in the theca interna layer of preantral follicles was lower than antral follicles (49.4 and 74.3%, respectively, P < 0.001). There was no difference in leptin immuno‐staining in the granulosa cell layer between follicular and luteal phases (92.4 and 89.7%, respectively, P > 0.05). However, the leptin immuno‐staining in the theca interna layer of follicular phase was greater than that in the luteal phase (72.7 and 51.0%, respectively, P < 0.001). These findings indicated that leptin exists in different compartments of the porcine ovary, including the oocyte, granulosa cells, theca interna cells, corpus luteum, blood vessel and smooth muscles. Therefore, this morphological study confirmed a close relationship between leptin and ovarian function in the pig.     

Lysophosphatidic acid expression in theca cells depends on the type of bovine ovarian follicle

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) exerts various actions on the mammalian reproductive system. In cows, LPA stimulates the synthesis and secretion of luteotropic factors in the ovary, which affects the growth and development of ovarian follicles. The role of LPA in granulosa cells, oocyte and oocyte‐cumulus complex (COC) has previously been investigated; but its role in the theca layer, which is an important structural and functional component of the ovarian follicle, is still unclear. The goal of this study was to investigate the expression of LPA in theca cells originating from different bovine ovarian follicle types. Theca cells were separated from healthy, transitional and atretic ovarian follicles, based on intrafollicular estradiol: progesterone ratios. LPA concentration in the follicular fluid (FF) in different follicle types was measured, and expression of the enzymes responsible for LPA synthesis (autotaxin [AX], phospholipase A2 [PLA2]) and receptors for LPA (LPAR1‐4) were determined. The obtained results confirmed the follicle‐type dependent presence of LPA in the FF of the bovine ovarian follicles. The highest concentration of LPA was detected in follicles classified as healthy and dominant. LPAR1‐4, PLA2 and AX expression in theca cells in all of the types of follicles examined were detected at mRNA and protein level. These results suggest that theca cells can be a source of LPA synthesis other than granulosa cells and COCs, as well as the target for its action in the bovine ovarian follicle, with PLA2 and LPAR4 playing major roles in LPA synthesis and action.     

The effect of bpV(HOpic) on in vitro activation of primordial follicles in cultured swine ovarian cortical strips

The vanadate‐derivative dipotassium bisperoxo (5‐hydroxy‐pyridine‐2‐carboxylic) oxovanadate (V) (bpV(HOpic)), a pharmacological inhibitor of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), has been used in ovarian follicle culture systems for activation of follicular growth in vitro and suggested to be responsible for primordial follicle survival through indirect Akt activation. For pig ovarian tissue, it is still not clear which culture medium needs to be used, as well as which factors and hormones could influence follicular development; this also applies to bpV(HOpic) exposure. Therefore, ovarian cortical strips from pigs were cultured in 1 µM bpV(HOpic) (N = 24) or control medium (N = 24) for 48 hr. Media were then replaced with control medium and all tissue pieces incubated for additional 4 days. The strips were embedded in paraffin for histological determination of follicle proportions at the end of the culture period and compared to histological sections from tissue pieces without cultivation, which had been embedded right after preparation; comparison of healthy follicles for each developmental stage was performed to quantify follicle survival and activation. After 6‐day culture, follicle activation occurred in tissue samples from both cultured groups but significantly more follicles showed progression of follicular development in the presence of 1 µM bpV(HOpic). The amount of non‐vital follicles was not significantly increased during cultivation. BpV(HOpic) affects pig ovarian follicle development by promoting the initiation of follicle growth and development, similar as in rodent species and humans.     

Effect of Bovine Ovarian Tissue Vitrification on the Structural Preservation of Antral Follicles

This study was performed to evaluate the structural preservation of antral follicles after bovine ovarian tissue vitrification using histological analysis. Ovaries (n = 30) of slaughtered cows were cut into small fragments using a scalpel blade, and the ovarian tissues were randomly assigned to vitrification using 15% dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) and 15% ethylene glycol (EG) and fresh tissues (control) groups. For histological evaluations, fresh and post‐thawing ovarian tissues were immediately fixed, serially sectioned into 5‐μm sections and stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E). Nine serial sections per fragment were subjected for morphological assessment. The diameter of the antral follicles was determined and classified into four groups: 1 (≤1 mm), 2 (>1–2 mm), 3 (>2–3 mm) and 4 (>3–4 mm). Then, follicular morphology was evaluated in relation to atresia and categorized into seven grades: Grade A (healthy follicle); Grades B, C and D (early atresia); Grades E and F (moderate atresia); and Grade G (advanced atresia). The results revealed that small diameters of antral follicles (1 and 2 mm) were more susceptible for cryoinjury. The normal follicular morphology (Grade A) was not affected by vitrification throughout follicle diameters. Nevertheless, some damage features were monitored after vitrification. In conclusion, the morphological structure of bovine antral follicles could be successfully preserved by ovarian tissue vitrification.     

Cellular and extracellular vesicular origins of miRNAs within the bovine ovarian follicle

The ovarian follicle components must provide an ideal environment to ensure the success of reproductive processes, and communication between follicular cells is crucial to support proper oocyte growth. Recently, it has been demonstrated that the presence of extracellular vesicles (EVs) carrying microRNAs (miRNAs) in follicular fluid represents an important autocrine and paracrine communication mechanism inside the ovarian follicle. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the miRNA content of EVs isolated from ovarian follicular (granulosa and cumulus–oocyte complexes) cell‐conditioned culture media is dependent upon cell type. We initially screened bovine granulosa cells (GCs) and cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs), as well as their derived EVs for 348 miRNAs using real‐time PCR, and detected 326 miRNAs in GCs and COCs cells and 62 miRNAs in GCs and COCs EVs. A bioinformatics analysis of the identified cell‐specific and differentially expressed miRNAs predicted that they likely modulate important cellular processes, including signalling pathways such as the PI3K‐Akt, MAPK and Wnt pathways. By investigating the origins of miRNAs within the follicular fluid, the results of this study provide novel insights into follicular miRNA content and intercellular communication that may be of invaluable use in the context of reproductive technologies, diagnostic of ovarian‐related diseases and/or the identification of biomarkers for oocyte and embryo quality.     

Altered Expression of Transforming Growth Factor‐Beta Isoforms in Bovine Cystic Ovarian Disease

Cystic ovarian disease (COD) is one of the main causes of infertility in dairy cattle. It has been shown that intra‐ovarian factors may contribute to follicular persistence. Transforming growth factor‐beta (TGFB) isoforms are important paracrine and autocrine signalling molecules that regulate ovarian follicle growth and physiology. Considering the importance of these factors in the ovarian physiology, in this study, we examined the expression of TGFB isoforms (TGFB1, TGFB2 and TGFB3) in the ovary of healthy cows and animals with spontaneous and adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)‐induced COD. In the oestrous‐synchronized control group, the expression of TGFB1 in granulosa and theca cells was higher in spontaneous cysts than in atretic or tertiary follicles. When we compared TGFB2 expression in granulosa cells from atretic or tertiary follicles from the oestrous‐synchronized control group with that in ACTH‐induced or spontaneous follicular cysts, we found a higher expression in the latter. The expression of the TGFB isoforms studied was also altered during folliculogenesis in both the spontaneous and ACTH‐induced COD groups. As it has been previously shown that TGFB influences steroidogenesis, ovarian follicular proliferation and apoptosis, an alteration in its expression may contribute to the pathogenesis of this disease.     

Deficient proliferation and apoptosis in the granulosa and theca interna cells of the bovine cystic follicle

The aim of the present study was to examine the frequencies of cell proliferation and death of granulosa and theca interna layers during development of cystic follicles in order to understand the mechanisms of cystic follicle formation. Paraffin sections of cystic follicles were immunostained with antibodies against proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and cleaved caspase-3 in order to observe proliferating and apoptotic cells, respectively. The concentrations of estradiol-17beta and progesterone in the follicular fluid of these follicles were measured by ELISA. The granulosa and theca interna layers contained both PCNA- and caspase-3-positive cells, although their numbers were limited. There was significant negative correlation between the estradiol-17beta and progesterone concentrations in the follicular fluid. Regression analysis revealed no significant correlation, except for that between the PCNA-positive cells in the theca interna and the caspase-3-positive cells in the granulosa layer. These results indicate that the granulosa and theca interna cells of the cystic follicle show weak proliferative activity and low apoptotic frequency; this implies that the cystic follicle grows slowly and then maintains a static condition without degeneration, which leads to long-term persistence of the follicle.     

Histochemical detection of glycoconjugates in the inner perivitelline layer of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica)

The avian inner perivitelline layer (IPVL), a homologous structure to the mammalian zona pellucida, is deposited between the granulosa cells and the oocyte cell membrane during folliculogenesis. In this glycohistochemical study, a panel of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labelled lectins was used to characterise and localise the oligosaccharide sequences of the IPVL glycoproteins at different stages of follicular development in the quail ovary. Deacetylation and sialidase digestion were also performed prior to lectin cytochemistry. Contrary to mammals, where the topographical distribution of these carbohydrates is not uniformly distributed throughout the zona pellucida, indicating the regionalisation of oligosaccharide chains, our results demonstrated a homogenous lectin staining of the comparatively thin IPVL. We also found variations in the presence and distribution of the carbohydrate residues in the IPVL during different stages of follicular growth. The IPVL of pre-vitelline follicles distinctly stains with WGA, sWGA and SBA, demonstrating the presence of D-GlcNAc, Neu5Ac and α-D-GalNac in the glycoproteins of the forming IPVL. No staining was found with ConA (specific for α-D-Man, α-D-Glc), LCA (α-D-Man, α-D-Glc), PNA (β-D-Gal-(1-3)-D-GalNAc, VAA (Gal), DBA (α-D-GalNAc(1-3)-GalNAc and UEA-I (α-L-Fuc). With continuing follicular growth of the oocyte and the follicle, this staining pattern changed. LCA and PNA-staining in the IPVL became distinctly positive. As the IPVL of immature oocytes distinctly stains with WGA/sWGA-FITC, but spermatozoa do not bind to immature zona, it appears questionable that carbohydrate residues detected by WGA/sWGA play a major role in sperm-IPVL binding, as suggested in previous investigations.     

Distribution of Cytochrome P450-side Chain Cleavage in the Theca Interna Layers of Bovine Small Antral and Cystic Follicles

Cystic follicle is anovulatory follicular structure that is caused by an endocrine imbalance. The activity of cytochrome P450‐side chain cleavage (P450scc) is essential for the initiation of steroidogenesis in the follicle. The present study was designed to compare the frequency of cells containing P450scc between healthy and atretic small antral follicles, and among several types (I, II and III, classified based on the presence of granulosa layer) of cystic follicles. Paraffin sections of healthy (2–5 mm in diameter), atretic (2–5 mm) and cystic follicles (>25 mm) were immunohistochemically stained with rabbit polyclonal antibody to bovine P450scc. The P450scc‐positive cells were counted in four different regions of the follicles from the apical to the basal side. In small antral follicles and cystic follicles, P450scc‐positive cells were localized in the theca interna layers but not granulosa layers. The P450scc‐positive cell populations decreased in the late atretic follicles compared with the early and advanced atretic follicles at all the regions of follicle. Type III cystic follicles showed significantly lower frequencies of P450scc‐positive cells than those in the types I and II cystic follicles. These results suggest that in both small and cystic follicles in cows, total loss of granulosa cells may be associated with the reduction of frequency of P450scc‐positive cells in theca interna layer.     

Effect of growth differentiation factor‐9 (GDF‐9) on the progression of buffalo follicles in vitrified–warmed ovarian tissues

To improve the reproductive performance of water buffalo to level can satisfy our needs, the mechanisms controlling ovarian follicular growth and development should be thoroughly investigated. Therefore, in this study, the expressions of growth differentiation factor‐9 (GDF‐9) in buffalo ovaries were examined by immunohistochemistry, and the effects of GDF‐9 treatment on follicle progression were investigated using a buffalo ovary organ culture system. Frozen–thawed buffalo ovarian follicles within slices of ovarian cortical tissue were cultured for 14 days in the presence or absence of GDF‐9. After culture, ovarian slices were fixed, sectioned and stained. The follicles were morphologically analysed and counted. Expression pattern of GDF‐9 was detected in oocytes from primordial follicles onwards, besides, also presented in granulosa cells. Moreover, GDF‐9 was detected in mural granulosa cells and theca cells of pre‐antral follicles. In antral follicles, cumulus cells and theca cells displayed positive expression of GDF‐9. In corpora lutea, GDF‐9 was expressed in both granulosa and theca lutein cells. After in vitro culture, there was no difference in the number of primordial follicles between cultured plus GDF‐9 and cultured control that indicated the GDF‐9 treatment has no effect on the primordial to primary follicle transition. GDF‐9 treatment caused a significant decrease in the number of primary and secondary follicles compared with controls accompanied with a significant increase in pre‐antral and antral follicles. These results suggest that a larger number of primary and secondary follicles were stimulated to progress to later developmental stages when treated with GDF‐9. Vitrification/warming of buffalo ovarian tissue had a little remarkable effect, in contrast to culturing for 14 days, on the expression of GDF‐9. In conclusion, treatment with GDF‐9 was found to promote progression of primary follicle that could provide an alternative approach to stimulate early follicle development and to improve therapies for the most common infertility problem in buffaloes (ovarian inactivity).     

Immunohistochemical Localization of Luteinizing Hormone Receptor in the Cyclic Gilt Ovary

Luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) is a specific membrane receptor on the granulosa and theca cells that bind to luteinizing hormone (LH), resulting in androgen and progesterone production. Hence, the regulation of LHR expression is necessary for follicle maturation, ovulation and corpus luteum formation. We examined the immunolocalization of LHR in cyclic gilt ovaries. The ovaries were obtained from 21 gilts aged 326.0 ± 38.7 days and weighing 154.6 ± 15.7 kg. The ovarian tissues were incubated with rabbit anti‐LHR polyclonal antibody. The follicles were categorized as primordial, primary, preantral and antral follicles. Ovarian phase was categorized as either follicular or luteal phases. The immunolocalization of LHR was clearly expressed in primary, preantral and antral follicles. LHR immunostaining was detected in the cytoplasm of granulosa, theca interna and luteal cells. LHR immunostaining was evaluated using imaging software. LHR immunostaining in the theca interna cells in antral follicles was almost twice as intense as that in preantral follicles (65.4% versus 38.3%, P < 0.01). LHR immunostaining was higher in the follicular phase than in the luteal phase (58.6% versus 45.2%, P < 0.05). In conclusion, the expression of LHR in the theca interna cells of antral follicles in the follicular phase was higher than in the luteal phase. The expression of LHR in all types of the follicles indicates that LHR may impact follicular development from the primary follicle stage onwards.     

Actions of glucocorticoid and their regulatory mechanisms in the ovary

Glucocorticoid (G) directly modulates ovarian functions through binding to G receptor. The actions of G are both agonistic and antagonistic depending on the developmental stage of follicles and corpora lutea (CL). During follicular maturation, G suppresses follicular differentiation by downregulating expression of P450 aromatase and luteinizing hormone (LH) receptor in granulosa cells. During ovulation, G protects the ovulatory follicle from inflammatory damage and promotes luteinization, ensuring a smooth transition of the follicle to CL. Throughout life the ovary is exposed to periodic and sporadic waves of G. The Ovary appears to cope with this situation by locally modulating levels of active G. The primary regulatory mechanism consists of two isoforms of 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11βHSD) that catalyze conversion between active and inactive G. During follicular maturation the levels of active G are suppressed by the dehydrogenase activity of 11βHSD, whereas during the ovulatory process, levels of active G are further increased by the oxo‐reductase activity of 11βHSD. The expression of these enzymes is under the control of gonadotrpins and local regulatory factors such as cytokines, allowing the mechanism to act in coordination with major reproductive events. Thus the G system is an integral part of ovarian physiology, which ensures that the ovary experiences only beneficial effects of G.     

Apoptosis of Granulosa Cells: A Review on the Role of MAPK-signalling modules

Recent studies suggest that ovarian follicular atresia is associated with DNA fragmentation and degeneration of granulosa cells, the hallmark of programmed cell death or apoptosis. Apoptosis of granulosa cells play a major role in follicular atresia. These studies have also demonstrated the involvement of tumour suppressors, apoptotic proteins and survival factors. These factors contribute to the developmental decision as to whether the ovarian follicles mature or undergo atresia. However, the precise temporal and molecular events involved in the apoptotic pathways in this process need to be elucidated. The present report summarizes the role of Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK), p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), and extracellular‐signal regulated kinase (ERK)‐signalling module in the regulation of pro‐ and anti‐apoptotic factors of the granulosa cells in regulating follicular atresia. The findings presented here suggest that the loss of tropic hormone support is translated into the attenuation of Raf‐1‐MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK)‐ERK‐signalling pathway of the granulosa cells and this results in the decreased phosphorylation of the pro‐apoptotic BAD.     

Effect of follicle-stimulating hormone on ZPC protein secretion by quail granulosa layer

In avian species, ZPC, a glycoprotein of the inner layer of the vitelline membrane, is synthesized in the granulosa cells of developing follicles. We have previously reported that follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) is one of the factors that stimulate ZPC production in quails. In the present study, we examined the effect of FSH on ZPC secretion, and the mode of ZPC secretion from pieces of granulosa layer. Western blot analysis demonstrated that, in the absence of FSH, the intensity of ZPC bands in the medium faded after 6 h of incubation. The addition of FSH caused an increase in intensity of ZPC bands when incubated for more than 6 h. The ZPC secretion during the first 6 h of incubation was depressed by the addition of either cycloheximide or actinomycin D. These results show that the ZPC found in the medium during short‐term incubation is newly synthesized protein and is secreted from the granulosa cells by the constitutive secretory pathway.     

Effect of Oxytocin,IBMX and dbcAMP on Rabbit Ovarian Follicles

Oxytocin (OT) and protein kinase A (PKA), a possible intracellular mediator of hormone action in the ovary, can be potent activators of ovarian functions and fertility. Nevertheless, action of OT on ovarian follicle atresia has not been studied yet. Only single administration of PKA activators [3‐isobutyl‐1‐methyl‐xanthine (IBMX) and dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (dbcAMP)] on ovarian follicle atresia was studied previously. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of OT (single treatment per one reproductive cycle, multiple treatments for three cycles), IBMX and dbcAMP (multiple treatments) on folliculogenesis and follicular atresia in rabbit. The ovarian cycle in control females was induced only by gonadotropins. Experimental females received co‐administration of gonadotropins with OT, IBMX or dbcAMP (at 50 μg/female). All females were artificially inseminated. Single‐treated females were euthanized after 18–19 h. Multiple‐treated females were euthanized after the third reproductive cycle. Histological sections of the ovaries were prepared and evaluated by a light microscopy. The follicles were divided into four classes according to the structure of granulosa and theca cells as follows: none or small atresia, cystic atresia, obliterative atresia and atresia associated with luteinization. The ovaries from the control and experimental females, treated during one reproductive cycle or three cycles, were compared. Single OT co‐administration increased proportion of follicles with atresia associated with luteinization, but not other types of atresia. No influence of multiple OT co‐administration on follicular atresia was recorded. Multiple IBMX and dbcAMP co‐administration decreased the proportion of atretic follicles and increased the proportion of healthy follicles without atresia.     

Oocyte Morphology from Primordial to Early Tertiary Follicles of Yak

The objective of this study was to investigate the developmental morphology of yak oocytes from the primordial follicle to the tertiary follicle. Yak oocytes from resting primordial (n = 6), activated primordial (n = 12), primary (n = 9), secondary (n = 7) and early tertiary (n = 5) follicles were processed and analysed by light and transmission electron microscopy. The resting primordial follicular oocyte was characterized by relatively smooth surface on the oolemma, the accumulation of free and organelle‐related smooth (SER) and rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), round or oval mitochondria, and polyribosomes on the surface of the RER and throughout the ooplasm. The activated primordial follicular oocyte was dominated by numerous coated pits and coated vesicles on the oolemma, and round mitochondria. Up to the secondary follicular stage the oocyte displayed an increase in the number of microvilli, polyribosome, Golgi complexes and mitochondria with distinct cristae. During the secondary follicular stage, formation of the zona pellucida, development of a desmosome‐like connection between the oocyte and the granulosa cells, formation of the cortical granules in the oocyte and elongated mitochondria in nearly all oocytes were seen. In the early tertiary follicular oocyte, the perivitelline space was present and a decrease in free SER and RER in the ooplasm occurred; finally, the nucleus migrated from an eccentric to a peripheral location. In conclusion, the growth of the yak oocyte is associated with the relocation and modulation of a number of cytoplasmic organelles as well as the development of oocyte‐specific structures such as the zona pellucida, desmosome‐like connection and cortical granules.     

水牛有腔卵泡颗粒细胞凋亡的生物形态学特征

为了解水牛有腔卵泡闭锁的起因和有腔卵泡中是否存在卵泡颗粒细胞凋亡，本研究选择青春期前水牛和成年（发情间期和发情期）水牛的卵巢，采用石蜡组织切片、HE染色技术进行光镜观察，并采用DNA原位末端标记（TUNEL）技术和透射电镜观察研究了卵泡颗粒细胞凋亡的特征。结果表明：青春期前水牛的健康有腔卵泡上无或仅有极个别凋亡的卵泡颗粒细胞（GCs），而闭锁有腔卵泡上存在有多量凋亡的GCs，凋亡的形式：GCs层内出现单个或多个凋亡细胞，卵泡腔内出现凋亡小体群。在成年水牛发情间期的闭锁大卵泡上，GCs层弯曲皱折，存在多量凋亡的GCs。发情期水牛成熟卵泡的GCs层也存在GCs凋亡，排卵前的GCs层细胞全部脱落到卵泡腔内。本研究首次在同一组织切片上先后分别应用HE染色和TUNEL检查细胞凋亡，且证实了水牛有腔卵泡GCs凋亡的存在。超微结构显示了GCs凋亡的核边集化、核浓缩及凋亡小体的形态。上述结果提示：在水牛闭锁有腔卵泡中存在着GCs凋亡，GCs凋亡是启动水牛有腔卵泡闭锁的潜在机理。