The extracellular matrix (ECM) promotes and/or inhibits many cellular processes, including but not limited to proliferation, differentiation, and survival, which must occur for follicle growth and oocyte maturation. The ECM regulation of cellular processes in ovarian cells is being investigated in many animal models, including avian, rat, bovine, porcine, rabbit, sheep, human, and mouse. Granul...

A cellular receptor for erythroid differentiation factor (EDF) was demonstrated by incubation of 125I-labeled EDF with rat follicular granulosa cell cultures. The specific binding of labeled EDF to the cells showed saturation; Scatchard analysis of binding data indicated a single class of receptors having Kd = 3.4 x 10(-10) M. A large excess of unlabeled EDF reduced labeled EDF binding almost c...

In order to observe the morphological and endocrinological changes of the rat and mouse ovarian follicles by gamma-radiation, rats were whole-body irradiated with doses of 3.2 Gy and 8.0 Gy and mice with 2.9 Gy and 7.2 Gy. Sections of ovaria were examined by light microscopy. Concentrations of progesterone, testosterone, and estradiol in ovarian homogenate were determined by radioimmunoassay te...

Granulosa cell death is an early feature of atresia; however, there are many apparent contradictions in the literature concerning the mode of granulosa cell death. We have therefore examined this process in bovine healthy and atretic antral follicles, using a variety of established techniques. Light and electron microscopic observations indicated the presence of pyknotic or shrunken nuclei in b...

Rat ovarian granulosa cells synthesize two distinct species of plasma membrane-intercalated heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycans; glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GP1)-anchored and core protein-intercalated HS proteoglycans. Both species of HS proteoglycans are primarily localized on the plasma membrane. Cell surface localization of GPI-anchored and protein-intercalated HS proteoglycans can be deter...