ISSN:
0003-276X
Keywords:
Oviduct
;
Cumulus-oocyte complexes
;
Mouse
;
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Cell & Developmental Biology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Background: Little information is available on the structural relationship of cumulus-oocyte complexes and the oviductal Wall during the transport of cumulus-oocyte complexes.Methods: To this end, morphological changes of the oviductal wall during the passage of unfertilized cumulus-oocyte complexes were examined chronologically in ICR mice 25-27 days of age ijnected with PMSG and hCG. Mice were sacrificed at 12, 14, 16, 18, and 24 hr after the injection of hCG to remove oviducts, and the height of mucosal folds, muscle ayers, and epithelial cells waas measured in the serial sectios stained with hematoxylineosin or colloidal iron.Results: The height of the mucoal fold and muscle layer where cumulusoocyte complexes were located was less tan that of the adjacent portions. At 12-18 hr of hCG injection (∼2-8 hr after ovulation), the ova with surrounding cumulus cells lie free in a wide lumen, and the muscular tissue consists of only 2 or 3 layers of cells, arranged mostly longitudinally. However, a neighboring portion without cumulus-oocyte complexes, where the folds meet in the middle, appreciably restricts the free space in the lumen. After 24 hr of hCG administration, structural changes in the oviductal wall, where cumulus-oocyte complexes were located, were no longer aparent. The number of cumulus cells surrounding the oocyte decreased during the passage through the oviduct. AT 12-18 hr after hCG injetion, ∼140 cells were identified in the largest cros section of a cumulus-oocyte complex, but after 24 hr of hCG administration (∼14 hr after ovuluation), an oocyte was surrounded with only (∼14 hr after ovulation), an oocyte was srrounded with only ∼25 cells.Conclusions: These results indicate that oocyte-cumulus cell complexes influence the structure of the oviductal wall during the passage in the oviduct. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Additional Material:
4 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ar.1092410207
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