A histochemical study of the changes occurring in the protein-carbohydrate composition of the cumulus-oocyte complex and zona pellucida in immature mice in response to gonadotrophin stimulation

A histochemical account is presented of the changes that occur in the protein-carbohydrate composition of the cumulus-oocyte complex in immature mice after gonadotrophin treatment. The distribution and nature of the glycosaminoglycans (GAG) present was established by enzymic digestion of tissue sect...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Histochemical journal 1985-11, Vol.17 (11), p.1235-1249
Main Authors: FOWLER, R. E, GRAINGE, C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alcian Blue
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Female
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Glycoproteins - analysis
Glycoproteins - metabolism
Glycosaminoglycans - analysis
Gonadotropins, Equine - pharmacology
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Macromolecular Substances
Mammalian female genital system
Mice
Morphology. Physiology
Oocytes - analysis
Oocytes - physiology
Oocytes - ultrastructure
Oogenesis - drug effects
Ovum - analysis
Periodic Acid-Schiff Reaction
Vertebrates: reproduction
Zona Pellucida - analysis
Zona Pellucida - physiology
Zona Pellucida - ultrastructure
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Summary:A histochemical account is presented of the changes that occur in the protein-carbohydrate composition of the cumulus-oocyte complex in immature mice after gonadotrophin treatment. The distribution and nature of the glycosaminoglycans (GAG) present was established by enzymic digestion of tissue sections with testicular of Streptomyces hyaluronidase prior to staining with periodic-acid Schiff (PAS) or Alcian Blue. Treatment with exogenous gonadotrophins [pregnant mare's serum and human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG)] induced gross changes in the appearance of the zona pellucida (and in the histochemical staining of the cumulus-oocyte complex). A reduction was observed in the amount of PAS-positive material present within the zona pellucida of oocytes located in large Graafian follicles examined 40 h after stimulation with pregnant mare's serum. After the injection of hCG, the zona pellucida was further depleted of PAS-positive material. Most of the PAS-positive material became confined to the plasma membrane of the oocyte, while the oocyte itself also became increasingly PAS-positive. All the GAGs disappeared from zona pellucida within 4 h of hCG stimulation. The changes observed in the protein-carbohydrate composition of the zona pellucida in preovulatory oocytes immediately prior to ovulation may be a prerequisite for successful sperm-egg interactions.
ISSN:0018-2214
1573-6865
DOI:10.1007/BF01002505