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Granulosa-Cumulus-Corona Expansion and Aromatase Localization in Preovulatory Follicles in Superovulated Heifers

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica volume 37, pages 99–107 (1996)Cite this article

Abstract

Granulosa-cumulus and cumulus-corona expansion as well as aromatase localization within ovarian follicles were monitored during the preovulatory period in superovulated cattle that were blood sampled every 2’nd h for LH analyses. Granulosacumulus as well as cumulus-corona expansion were studied by means of transmission electron microscopy and computerized image analysis. Localization of aromatase, an enzyme involved in estrogen synthesis, was determined immunocytochemically using anti-human placental aromatase cytochrome P-450 antisera. Nuclear oocyte maturation was determined by aceto:orcein staining. Significant cell dissociation within the granulosa-cumulus stalk occurred before the breakdown of the germinal vesicle, i.e. the oocyte nucleus, during the period up to 5-7 h after the LH peak, i.e. the highest LH concentration during the surge. Significant increase in intercellular spacing between the cumulus-corona cells occurred at 13-15 and 19-21 h after the LH peak. Before the LH peak all layers of granulosa cells were immunocytochemically stained for aromatase. At 5-7 h after the LH peak, however, only the granulosa cell layers located near the basal lamina were stained, and at all later intervals staining was absent. The granulosa cells of primary and secondary follicles, the interstitial gland cells, the theca interna cells and the oocytes in all follicles were immunocytochemically unstained.

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Acknowledgments

The work was supported by The Alexander von Humboldt-fellowship, by Bundesministerium fur Wissenschaft und Forschung-Austria, Grant GZ 45.379/1-IV/3a/94, and by the Danish Agricultural and Veterinary Research Council.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Institute of Animal Production, Nitra, Slovakia

    J. Laurincik

  2. Department of Pathology, Veterinary University, Kosice, Slovakia

    L. Kolodzieyski

  3. Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Bülowsvej 13, DK-1870, Frederiksberg C, Denmark

    P. Hyttel

  4. Endocrine Biochemistry Department, Medical Foundation of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA

    Y. Osawa

  5. Institut für Tierzucht und Tierverhalten (FAL) Mariensee, Neustadt, Germany

    H. Niemann

  6. Veterinary University-Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    F. Schmoll, G. Brem & K. Schellander

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  1. J. Laurincik
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  4. Y. Osawa
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Correspondence to P. Hyttel.

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Laurincik, J., Kolodzieyski, L., Hyttel, P. et al. Granulosa-Cumulus-Corona Expansion and Aromatase Localization in Preovulatory Follicles in Superovulated Heifers. Acta Vet Scand 37, 99–107 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1186/BF03548122

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Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

ISSN: 1751-0147