The presence of cumulus cells around oocytes is not essential for nuclear maturation in vitro.
Like the effects of cumulus cells, serum not only prevented zona hardening but also promoted cytoplasmic maturation.
The aim of this study was to determine the influence of cumulus cells and serum on cytoplasmic maturation.
In conclusion, the results of this study suggest a positive paracrine effect of co-cultured cumulus cells on meiotic maturation.
Induction of maturation in cumulus cell-enclosed mouse oocytes by follicle stimulating hormone and epidermal growth factor: evidence for a positive stimulus of somatic cell origin.
Oocytes with at least four layers of cumulus cells were selected.
Shortly after collection and following dissection from the oocyte, the cumulus clump appeared as an aggregate of thousands of cells.
Factors influencing resumption of meiotic maturation and cumulus expansion of porcine oocyte-cumulus cell complexes in vitro.
