Ultrastructure of human preovulatory granulosa cells in follicular fluid aspirates.

The ultrastructure of preovulatory granulosa cells may be distinct in follicles containing competent as opposed to non-competent oocytes. To test this assumption, granulosa cells were looked for in 36 follicular fluid aspirates from 8 patients taking part in an in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer program. Granulosa cells were absent from 16 aspirates and present in 20. Both aspirate types contained oocytes able to develop in culture. Granulosa cells were subdivided into three developmental stages. Stage 1 (5% of aspirates) showed proliferating cells, while stage 2 (60% of aspirates) and 3 (35% of aspirates) cells were in the preluteinization stage. These cells were recognizable by their number of lipid droplets and differentiated according to possession of a rough (stage 2) or smooth (stage 3) endoplasmic reticulum. Luteinization did not occur in these cells. All stages displayed desmosomes, gap junctions, and annular junctions. The structure of Call-Exner bodies and of fibrin deposits were unexpected findings. Our study indicates that there is no correlation between the previously used morphological parameters of granulosa cells and oocyte maturity.