Cumulus Cell Transcripts Transit to the Bovine Oocyte in Preparation for Maturation.

ABSTRACT: So far, the characteristics of a good quality egg have been elusive, similar to the nature of the physiological, cellular, and molecular cues leading to its production both in vivo and in vitro. Current understanding highlights a strong and complex interdependence between the follicular cells and the gamete. Secreted factors induce cellular responses in the follicular cells, and direct exchange of small molecules from the cumulus cells to the oocyte through gap junctions controls meiotic arrest. Studying the interconnection between the cumulus cells and the oocyte, we previously demonstrated that the somatic cells also contribute transcripts to the gamete. Here, we show that these transcripts can be visualized moving down the transzonal projections (TZPs) to the oocyte, and that a time cou

SUBMITTER: Macaulay AD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4809558 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature