Ascidian follicle cells: Multifunctional adjuncts to maturation and development

• Published in: Development, growth & differentiation Vol. 51; no. 8; pp. 677 - 686
• Main Author: Lambert, Charles C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.10.2009
• Subjects: Animals; ascidian; Cell Size; Chordata; Female; flotation; follicle cell; germinal vesicle; Male; Marine; oocyte; Oocytes - physiology; Ovarian Follicle - cytology; Ovarian Follicle - physiology; Ovotesticular Disorders of Sex Development; Tunicata; Urochordata - cytology; Urochordata - physiology

Ascidians are primitive chordates, subphylum Tunicata, that are sessile filter‐feeding hermaphrodites as adults. Released oocytes are enclosed within a monolayer of follicle cells, a non‐cellular vitelline coat and a monolayer of test cells that cover the egg membrane. Follicle cell structure is dis...