Jewgenow K, Rudolph M
Institute for Zoo Biology and Wildlife Research, PF 601103, D-10252 Berlin, Germany.
J Reprod Fertil Suppl. 2001;57:23-9.
The application of zona pellucida proteins for contraception of wildlife and feral animals, including stray cats, has been promoted since it was demonstrated to be effective for free-roaming feral mares. Active immunization with zona pellucida proteins leads to either reversible or irreversible infertility. Therefore, knowledge of the timing and location of zona pellucida synthesis during oogenesis in cats is a key aspect of designing an immunocontraceptive for felids. Domestic cat ovaries obtained after ovariohysterectomy were used to produce a specific rabbit antibody against feline zonae pellucidae. Ultrathin sections (70 nm) of cat ovaries were treated with the anti-zona antibody followed by incubation with gold-labelled anti-rabbit IgG for ultrastructural investigation. The gold label was related to the ultrastructure of oocytes and granulosa cells. Cat follicles at different stages of development were examined. The antibody reacted very specifically with zona pellucida proteins in fully grown oocytes with a compact zona pellucida. In secondary follicles, gold labels were found on the zona pellucida and inside granulosa cells in the vicinity of oocytes. Primary follicles were labelled inside their cubic granulosa cells and on fragments of zona pellucida in the cleft between granulosa cells and the oocyte. Some primordial follicles were characterized by labelling of the granulosa cells. In conclusion, these results indicate that cat zona pellucida is produced exclusively by granulosa cells and not by oocytes. Synthesis of zona pellucida takes place at every stage of follicular development.
自透明带蛋白被证明对自由放养的野生母马有效以来，其在野生动物和包括流浪猫在内的野生动物避孕方面的应用得到了推广。用透明带蛋白进行主动免疫会导致可逆或不可逆的不育。因此，了解猫卵子发生过程中透明带合成的时间和位置是设计猫科动物免疫避孕方法的关键。使用卵巢子宫切除术后获得的家猫卵巢来制备针对猫透明带的特异性兔抗体。用抗透明带抗体处理猫卵巢的超薄切片（70纳米），然后与金标记的抗兔IgG孵育以进行超微结构研究。金标记与卵母细胞和颗粒细胞的超微结构有关。对处于不同发育阶段的猫卵泡进行了检查。该抗体与具有紧密透明带的完全成熟卵母细胞中的透明带蛋白反应非常特异。在次级卵泡中，在透明带以及卵母细胞附近的颗粒细胞内发现了金标记。初级卵泡在其立方状颗粒细胞内以及颗粒细胞与卵母细胞之间裂隙中的透明带片段上有标记。一些原始卵泡的特征是颗粒细胞有标记。总之，这些结果表明猫的透明带仅由颗粒细胞产生，而非卵母细胞产生。透明带的合成在卵泡发育的每个阶段都有发生。
