Schuetz A W, Lessman C
Differentiation. 1982;22(2):79-84. doi: 10.1111/j.1432-0436.1982.tb01229.x.
Involvement of different cellular investments of the amphibian ovarian follicle wall in the ovulatory process, progesterone production, and oocyte maturation was investigated. Following microdissection, to selectively remove one or more layers (surface epithelium, theca, follicle cells) of the follicle wall, dissected and undissected ovarian follicles were treated with frog pituitary homogenate (FPH) or progesterone. Intact follicles ovulated in response to pituitary homogenate and this was associated with contractions of the follicle wall. Ovulation and follicular contractions were not observed following removal of the surface epithelium without removing the thecal layer. Oocyte maturation occurred in response to FPH following removal of the surface epithelium alone or together with the theca, but not in the absence of the follicle cells. Intact follicles were most responsive to FPH with respect to progesterone production, and removal of all somatic cells from oocytes obliterated FPH stimulated progesterone production. Oocytes, regardless of wether any or all follicular wall layers were removed, matured but did not ovulate following exposure to progesterone. The results suggest that the surface epithelium, but not the theca, is required for FPH-induced extrusion (ovulation) of the oocyte from ovarian follicle wall. Additionally, the somatic tissue rather than the oocyte appears to be the cells producing progesterone following FPH treatment. The results indicate that separate cellular layers (individually and/or as a result of interactions) of the follicle wall carry out different functions during follicular differentiation and mediation of ovulation. Data provide functional evidence for a role of the surface epithelium in controlling the process of ovulation and follicular contraction.
研究了两栖类卵巢卵泡壁的不同细胞成分在排卵过程、孕酮产生和卵母细胞成熟中的作用。在显微解剖后，为了选择性地去除卵泡壁的一层或多层（表面上皮、卵泡膜、卵泡细胞），对解剖和未解剖的卵巢卵泡用蛙垂体匀浆（FPH）或孕酮进行处理。完整的卵泡对垂体匀浆有反应而排卵，这与卵泡壁的收缩有关。在未去除卵泡膜层而仅去除表面上皮后，未观察到排卵和卵泡收缩。单独去除表面上皮或与卵泡膜一起去除后，卵母细胞对FPH有反应而发生成熟，但在没有卵泡细胞时则不会。完整的卵泡在孕酮产生方面对FPH反应最强烈，从卵母细胞中去除所有体细胞会消除FPH刺激的孕酮产生。卵母细胞，无论是否去除了任何或所有卵泡壁层，在暴露于孕酮后都会成熟但不会排卵。结果表明，FPH诱导卵母细胞从卵巢卵泡壁挤出（排卵）需要表面上皮而非卵泡膜。此外，FPH处理后，似乎是体细胞组织而非卵母细胞产生孕酮。结果表明，卵泡壁的不同细胞层（单独和/或由于相互作用）在卵泡分化和排卵介导过程中发挥不同功能。数据为表面上皮在控制排卵和卵泡收缩过程中的作用提供了功能证据。
