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Science 296 (5576): 2178-2180

Copyright © 2002 by the American Association for the Advancement of Science

Intercellular Communication in the Mammalian Ovary: Oocytes Carry the Conversation

Martin M. Matzuk,123* Kathleen H. Burns,12 Maria M. Viveiros,4 John J. Eppig4

The production of functional female gametes is essential for the propagation of all vertebrate species. The growth of oocytes within ovarian follicles and their development to mature eggs have fascinated biologists for centuries, and scientists have long realized the importance of the ovarian follicle's somatic cells in nurturing oogenesis and delivering the oocyte to the oviduct by ovulation. Recent studies have revealed key roles of the oocyte in folliculogenesis and established that bidirectional communication between the oocyte and companion somatic cells is essential for development of an egg competent to undergo fertilization and embryogenesis. The challenge for the future is to identify the factors that participate in this communication and their mechanisms of action.

1 Department of Pathology,
2 Department of Molecular and Human Genetics,
3 Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
4 The Jackson Laboratory, 600 Main Street, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA.
*   To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: mmatzuk{at}bcm.tmc.edu

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Steroids and Oocyte Maturation--A New Look at an Old Story.
S. R. Hammes (2004)
Mol. Endocrinol. 18, 769-775
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Luteinizing Hormone-Induced Connexin 43 Down-Regulation: Inhibition of Translation.
Y. Kalma, I. Granot, D. Galiani, A. Barash, and N. Dekel (2004)
Endocrinology 145, 1617-1624
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Specificity of the Tumor Necrosis Factor-induced Protein 6-mediated Heavy Chain Transfer from Inter-{alpha}-trypsin Inhibitor to Hyaluronan: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE ASSEMBLY OF THE CUMULUS EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX.
D. Mukhopadhyay, A. Asari, M. S. Rugg, A. J. Day, and C. Fulop (2004)
J. Biol. Chem. 279, 11119-11128
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Rescue of Female Infertility from the Loss of Cyclooxygenase-2 by Compensatory Up-regulation of Cyclooxygenase-1 Is a Function of Genetic Makeup.
H. Wang, W.-g. Ma, L. Tejada, H. Zhang, J. D. Morrow, S. K. Das, and S. K. Dey (2004)
J. Biol. Chem. 279, 10649-10658
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
The murine winged-helix transcription factor Foxl2 is required for granulosa cell differentiation and ovary maintenance.
D. Schmidt, C. E. Ovitt, K. Anlag, S. Fehsenfeld, L. Gredsted, A.-C. Treier, and M. Treier (2004)
Development 131, 933-942
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
The Bone Morphogenetic Protein System In Mammalian Reproduction.
S. Shimasaki, R. K. Moore, F. Otsuka, and G. F. Erickson (2004)
Endocr. Rev. 25, 72-101
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Sex Determination and Differentiation.
D. T. MacLaughlin and P. K. Donahoe (2004)
N. Engl. J. Med. 350, 367-378
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Androgens Promote Maturation and Signaling in Mouse Oocytes Independent of Transcription: A Release of Inhibition Model for Mammalian Oocyte Meiosis.
A. Gill, M. Jamnongjit, and S. R. Hammes (2004)
Mol. Endocrinol. 18, 97-104
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
In Vitro Growth and Development of Bovine Oocyte-Granulosa Cell Complexes on the Flat Substratum: Effects of High Polyvinylpyrrolidone Concentration in Culture Medium.
Y. Hirao, T. Itoh, M. Shimizu, K. Iga, K. Aoyagi, M. Kobayashi, M. Kacchi, H. Hoshi, and N. Takenouchi (2004)
Biol Reprod 70, 83-91
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Temporal Distribution of CDK4, CDK6, D-Type Cyclins, and p27 in Developing Mouse Oocytes.
J. Kohoutek, P. Dvorak, and A. Hampl (2004)
Biol Reprod 70, 139-145
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Sox3 Is Required for Gonadal Function, but Not Sex Determination, in Males and Females.
J. Weiss, J. J. Meeks, L. Hurley, G. Raverot, A. Frassetto, and J. L. Jameson (2003)
Mol. Cell. Biol. 23, 8084-8091
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »

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