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Dissociation of response to injected gonadotropin between the Graafian follicle and oocyte in pigs

Nature volume 260, pages 156–158 (1976)Cite this article

An Erratum to this article was published on 08 April 1976

Abstract

THE process of ovulation in mammals is induced by a surge of gonadotropic hormone(s) that precipitates a series of changes in the cellular layers of the Graafian follicle. The changes in the somatic cells are extensive, ranging from enzymatic transformation in the biosynthetic pathway for steroid hormones1,2 to morphological alterations in the membrana granulosa. In contrast, the only conspicuous modification in the germ cell is completion of the first meiotic division with extrusion of a polar body and formation of the second metaphase plate. The meiotic steps from diakinesis to first polar body formation are known to be programmed with considerable accuracy3,4 by the endogenous surge of luteinising hormone (LH), but a similar sequence of nuclear changes can also be initiated by injection of a preparation rich in LH activity, such as human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)5–7. Although the changes in the somatic cells and oocyte within the mature follicle usually occur in concert, we describe here circumstances in which the process of ovulation is dissociated from nuclear maturation of the germ cell, resulting in the shedding of a primary oocyte.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Agriculture, University of Edinburgh, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG, UK

    R. H. F. HUNTER

  2. Department of Steroid Biochemistry, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK

    B. COOK

  3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Edinburgh, UK

    T. G. BAKER

Authors
  1. R. H. F. HUNTER
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  2. B. COOK
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  3. T. G. BAKER
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HUNTER, R., COOK, B. & BAKER, T. Dissociation of response to injected gonadotropin between the Graafian follicle and oocyte in pigs. Nature 260, 156–158 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1038/260156a0

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