Bioscientifica Proceedings

The cellular biology and changes in the extracellular matrix of ovarian follicles during their development are reviewed. During growth of the bovine ovarian follicle the follicular basal lamina doubles 19 times in surface area. It changes in composition, having collagen IV α1–26 and laminin α1, ß2 and γl at the primordial stage, and collagen IV α1 and α2, reduced amounts of α3–α5, and a higher content of laminin α1, ß...

Collagen breakdown and apoptotic cell death within the apex of the preovulatory ovine follicle are hallmarks of impending ovarian rupture. An integrative mechanism is proposed whereby gonadotrophic stimulation of urokinase-type plasminogen activator secretion by the follicular-contiguous ovarian surface epithelium elicits a localized increase in tissue plasmin, which activates collagenolysis and tumour necrosis factor α-induced cell death within the formative ovulatory st...

The expression and localization of selected growth factor systems and extracellular matrix (ECM) components that may influence oocyte maturation and fertilization within the mammalian oviduct are reported. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) systems could be detected by use of RT–PCR, RNase protection assay (RPA) and immunohistochemistry in bovine follicles, bovine cumulus–oocyte complexes (COC) and bovine and marmoset oviduct...

In most organs, remodelling of tissues after morphogenesis is minimal; however, normal ovarian function depends upon cyclical remodelling of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The ECM has a profound effect on cellular functions and probably plays an important role in the processes of follicular development and atresia, ovulation, and development, maintenance and regression of corpora lutea. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs; collagenases, gelatinases, stromelysins and membrane-type...