Oogenesis in xenopus laevis (Daudin). V. Relationships between developing oocytes and their investing follicular tissues

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1978 · J. Morphol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/jmor.1051550106· OSTI ID:6621360

Dumont, J N; Brummett, A R

The relationship of the cells and tissues which comprise the developing ovarian follicle in Xenopus laevis has been studied with scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The saclike ovary is covered on its coelomic side by a squamous epithelium. The cells of this epithelium are extensively interdigitated, and each bears a short, centrally positioned cilium. The lumenal surface of the ovary is covered with a layer of nonciliated squamous cells. The areas of cell-cell contact are characterized by desmosomes in both epithelia, and between the epithelia lies a connective tissue layer--the theca--which contains collagen fibers, blood vessels, nerves, smooth muscle cells and oogonia. Beneath the theca in each follicle lies a single layer of flat stellate follicle cells. Associations between adjacent follicle cells are intermittent, leaving wide spaces or channels. Junctional contacts between neighboring follicle cells are characterized by desmosomes. From the basal surface of each follicle cell extend long, broad macrovilli which penetrate the underlying acellular vitelline envelope and contact the surface of the oocyte. Evidence is presented which suggests that follicle cells may produce and release components which participate in the formation of the vitelline envelope which consists of a 3-dimensional lattice of ropey fibers. Passageways through the vitelline envelope allow the maintenance of contact between oocyte and follicle cells and also allow ready penetration of materials both to the oocyte (e.g., vitellogenin) and from it (e.g., cortical granule material) at different stages of its development.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN
• OSTI ID: 6621360
• Journal Information: J. Morphol.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Morphol.; (United States) Vol. 155:1; ISSN JOMOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550300 -- Cytology
550800* -- Morphology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
AMPHIBIANS
ANIMAL CELLS
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BODY
CELL CONSTITUENTS
CYTOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
ELECTRON SCANNING
EPITHELIUM
FEMALE GENITALS
GAMETOGENESIS
GERM CELLS
GONADS
MICROSCOPY
OOCYTES
OOGENESIS
ORGANS
OVARIES
TISSUES
VERTEBRATES