Modulation of cell-to-cell communication in the cumulus-oocyte complex and the regulation of oocyte maturation by LH

• Published in: Developmental biology Vol. 86; no. 2; pp. 356 - 362
• Main Authors: Dekel, Nava, Lawrence, Theodore S., Gilula, Norton B., Beers, William H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.09.1981
• Subjects: Animals; Cell Communication - drug effects; Chorionic Gonadotropin - pharmacology; Female; Follicle Stimulating Hormone - pharmacology; Kinetics; Luteinizing Hormone - pharmacology; Meiosis - drug effects; Oocytes - drug effects; Oocytes - physiology; Ovarian Follicle - drug effects; Ovarian Follicle - physiology; Ovum - physiology; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains
• ISSN: 0012-1606; 1095-564X
• DOI: 10.1016/0012-1606(81)90193-7

Prior to ovulation, cell-to-cell communication between the oocyte and the cells of the cumulus oophorus is terminated ( N. B. Gilula, M. L. Epstein, and W. H. Beers, 1978, J. Cell Biol. 78, 58–75; R. M. Moor, M. W. Smith, and R. M. C. Dawson, 1980, Exp. Cell Res. 126, 15–29). In this paper we report that LH, Bt 2-cAMP, and the cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase inhibitor, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, are all capable of interrupting communication in vitro in rat follicle-enclosed cumulus-oocyte complexes. Moreover, the breakdown of communication appears to be closely correlated with the ability of hyaluronidase to disperse the cumulus cell mass. This observation allows simple screening of the effects of various agents on cumulus-oocyte communication. The in vitro system employed in this study has also been used to investigate the relationship between communication and oocyte maturation. The findings presented indicate that the interruption of communication between the cumulus and the oocyte leads to relief of meiotic arrest, and are consistent with the possibility that cAMP, transmitted from the cumulus to the oocyte, may be the inhibitor of oocyte maturation in vivo.