Disruption of cellular associations within the granulosal compartment of periovulatory ovine follicles: relationship to maturation of the oocyte and regulation by prostaglandins

Cell Tissue Res. 1988 May;252(2):459-62. doi: 10.1007/BF00214389.

Abstract

Temporal relationships were defined in sheep between the onset of the preovulatory surge of luteinizing hormone (LH; 0 h), dispersion of mural granulosal cells and cumulus oophorus, resumption of meiosis of the oocyte, and ovulation. A quantitative increase in intercellular spacing among mural granulosal and cumulus cells was detected at the light-microscopic level 12 h following the onset of the surge of LH. Evidence of breakdown of the germinal vesicle of oocytes was apparent at 16 h and thereafter. Ovulation occurred near 24 h. Systemic administration of indomethacin, an inhibitor of prostaglandin/PG biosynthesis, at 8 h subsequently prevented dissociation of mural granulosal and cumulus cells and suppressed maturation of the oocyte. The action of the drug was reversed by intrafollicular injection of PGE2 at 12 h; PGF2 alpha was ineffective in this regard. Prostaglandin E2 appears to be involved in preovulatory ovine follicles in the dissolution of cell-to-cell contacts and in maturation of the oocyte.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Communication
  • Female
  • Granulosa Cells / ultrastructure
  • Indomethacin / pharmacology
  • Luteinizing Hormone / physiology
  • Oocytes / drug effects
  • Oocytes / physiology*
  • Ovarian Follicle / cytology*
  • Ovarian Follicle / drug effects
  • Ovarian Follicle / physiology
  • Ovulation*
  • Prostaglandins / pharmacology*
  • Prostaglandins / physiology
  • Sheep
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Prostaglandins
  • Luteinizing Hormone
  • Indomethacin