Oocyte Growth and Maturation, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1988

Studies of oogenesis occupy an important place in current in­ vestigations in developmental biology. Today no one has any doubt whatsoever that oogenesis is not just the prelude to development, but is development itself, and a very essential part of it. These words of an eminent Soviet scientist, B. L. As taurov , taken by T. B. Aizenshtadt as an epigraph to her chapter in this book, make a good epigraph for the entire book. It is now clear that during oogenesis not only vast reserves of ribosomes and mitochondria, of yolk, carbohydrates, and lipids, and of enzymes for protein and nucleic acid synthesis and for carbohydrate and fat metabolism (which ensures the energy supply and metabolism of the oocyte and the developing embryo) are formed, but also long-lived mRNA and proteins are synthesized, which determine both the completion of oocyte maturation and the initial stages of embryonic development. In the last 15-20 years, the use of molecular biology methods, electron microscopy, autoradiography, and microsurgical methods of experimental embryology in studying the pre-embryonic development of animals has greatly increased our knowledge of oogenesis. This has led to the need to systematize the data obtained, to reinter­ pret old ideas, and to review the results obtained by new research trends which have emerged in the last few years and which are of general biological interest. Such a task was undertaken in the book Sovremennye Problemy Oogeneza (Current Problems of Oogenesis), published in 1977 (in Russian).

1 Oocyte Growth and Vitellogenesis.- 1.1. Sources of Ribosomal RNA in Different Types of Oogenesis.- 1.1.1. Origin and Functional Significance of the Nurse Cells of the Ovary.- 1.1.2. Participation of Follicle Cells in the Synthesis of rRNA for the Oocyte.- 1.1.3. Synthesis of rRNA in the Oocyte Nucleus. Amplification of rDNA.- 1.2. Vitellogenesis.- 1.2.1. EndogenousYolk. The Origin of Yolk Proteins.- 1.2.2. Hormonal Control of Vitellogenesis.- 1.2.3. Participation of the Follicular Epithelium in Vitellogenesis.- 1.2.4. Pinocytotic Activity of Oocytes.- 1.2.5. Endogenous Yolk (General Comments).- 1.2.6. Origin and Functional Role of the Golgi Apparatus.- 1.2.7. Formation of the Yolk Platelets during Endogenous Synthesis of the Yolk Proteins.- 1.3. Phagocytic Activity of the Oocytes during Diffuse Oogenesis.- 1.4. Concluding Remarks.- References.- 2 The Nucleus during Oogenesis with Special Reference to Extrachromosomal Structures.- 2.1. Oogonia and Their Differentiation into Oocytes and Trophocytes (Nurse Cells).- 2.2. Oocytes and Trophocytes (Nurse Cells).- 2.3. The Synaptonemal Complex.- 2.3.1. General Characteristics of the Synaptonemal Complex.- 2.3.2. Abnormal Synaptonemal Complexes.- 2.4. Extrachromosomal Nuclear DNA of Oocytes.- 2.4.1. The Amplification Mechanism.- 2.4.2. Time of Amplification.- 2.5. Oocyte Nucleoli.- 2.6. Nucleolus-Like and Nuclear Bodies.- 2.7. The Karyosphere.- 2.8. The Nuclear Envelope.- 2.9. Nucleocytoplasmic Interactions.- 2.9.1. Transport of Nuclear Material through Pores.- 2.9.2. Transport by “Blebbing”.- 2.9.3. Extrusion of Nucleoli.- 2.9.4. Annulate Lamellae.- 2.10. Conclusions.- References.- 3 Development of the Mature Egg Organization in Amphibians, Fish, and Starfish during the Concluding Stages of Oogenesis, in the Period of Maturation.- 3.1.Effect of Gonadotropic Hormones on Oocyte Maturation.- 3.1.1. Effect of Gonadotropic Hormones of the Hypophysis and Progesterone on Oocyte Maturation.- 3.1.2. Hormone-Induced Molecular Changes in the Cytoplasm of Amphibian and Starfish Oocytes during the Initial Stages of Meiotic Reinitiation.- 3.2. Changes in the Structure and Properties of Amphibian and Sturgeon Fish Oocytes during Maturation.- 3.2.1. Follicle Structure and Properties at the Initial Stage and at the End of the Growth Period.- 3.2.2. Changes in Oocyte Structure and Properties during the Maturation Period.- 3.2.2.1. Changes in the Oocyte Nucleus.- 3.2.2.2. Changes in the Oocyte Cytoplasm.- 3.2.3. The Mature Egg.- 3.2.4. Ovulation.- 3.2.5. Chronology of Maturation.- 3.3. Changes in Oocyte Structure and Properties during Maturation Period in Teleosts.- 3.4. The Role of the Oocyte Nucleus and Cytoplasm in the Development of the Mature Egg Organization during the Maturation Period.- 3.4.1. Egg Properties Arising in Cytoplasm of Enucleated Oocytes of Bufo viridis, Rana temporaria, Xenopus laevis,and Acipenser stellatus.- 3.4.2. Egg Properties Emerging with GV Nucleoplasm Participation.- 3.4.2.1. Capacity of Nucleoplasm to Induce the Maturation of Intact Full-Grown Oocytes.- 3.4.2.2. Capacity for Cytokinesis.- 3.4.2.3. Rhythm of Cleavage Divisions.- 3.4.2.4. Chromosome Condensation.- 3.4.2.5. Capacity to Convert Sperm Nuclei into Pronuclei and Induce DNA Synthesis in Them.- 3.4.2.6. Special Structural Features of the Cytoplasm of Oocytes Matured without GV.- 3.5. Molecular Bias of Oocyte Changes during the Maturation Period.- 3.5.1. Maturation Promoting Factor (MPF).- 3.5.1.1. Germinal Vesicle Breakdown Factor (GVBDF).- 3.5.1.2. GVBDF in the Mitotic Cycle in the Period of Synchronous Cleavage Divisions, Desychronization, Blastulation, and during Divisions of Synchronized Mammal Cells.- 3.5.2. MPF and the Appearance in the Cortex of an Ability to Transmit the Activation Impulse and to Produce a Cortical Reaction and Cortical Granule Breakdown.- 3.5.3. Stimulation of Protein Synthesis and MPF (AC) Action.- 3.5.4. Cytoplasmic Control of Chromosome Condensation Activity (CCA).- 3.5.5. Cytostatic Factor (CSF).- 3.5.6. Factors of DNA Synthesis.- 3.5.7. Factors of RNA (RNA Polymerase) Synthesis.- 3.5.8. Factors of Cytokinesis.- 3.5.9. Morphogenetically Active Substances.- 3.5.10. Pseudomaturation-Inducing Factor (PIF).- 3.6. Concluding Remarks.- References.- 4 Meiotic Divisions.- 4.1. Meiosis and Fertilization.- 4.2. Morphology of Meiosis.- 4.3. Chronology of Meiosis.- 4.4. Reduction and Equational Character of Meiotic Divisions.- 4.5. Meiosis in Parthenogenetic Development.- 4.6. Genetic Mechanisms of Sex Determination.- 4.7. Effect of External Factors on Meiosis.- 4.7.1. Temperature.- 4.7.2. Ionizing Radiation.- 4.7.3. Chemical Substances and Other Factors.- 4.8. Control of Meiosis.- 4.9. Concluding Remarks.- References.- 5 Maturation of Mammalian Oocytes in Vitro.- 5.1. Acquisition of Maturation Competence.- 5.2. Morphology of Maturation.- 5.3. Duration of Maturation.- 5.4. Biochemistry of Maturation.- 5.5. Hormonal Control of Maturation.- 5.5.1. Effect of Gonadotropins on the Maturation of Follicle-Enclosed Oocytes In Vivo and In Vitro.- 5.5.1.1. Production of cAMP.- 5.5.1.2. Steroidogenesis.- 5.5.1.3. Glycolysis.- 5.5.1.4. In Vitro Maturation of Follicle-Enclosed Oocytes.- 5.5.2. Mechanisms of Gonadotropin Effect on Maturation of Mammalian Oocytes.- 5.5.2.1. Effects of cAMP, db cAMP, and Adenylate Cyclase Activations on the Maturation of Follicle-Enclosed Oocytes.- 5.5.2.2. Effects of Steroids on Maturation of Follicle-Enclosed Oocytes.- 5.5.2.3. Effect of Pyruvate, Lactate, and Iodoacetic Acid on Oocyte Maturation of Follicle-Enclosed Oocytes.- 5.5.2.4. Effects of Ions on Maturation of Follicle-Enclosed Oocytes.- 5.5.3. Spontaneous Maturation.- 5.5.3.1. Effect of Cumulus Cells on Spontaneous Maturation.- 5.5.3.2. Effects of LH, FSH, db cAMP, and Drugs Elevating cAMP on Spontaneous Maturation of OCCC.- 5.5.3.3. Effects of FSH, db cAMP, and Drugs Elevating cAMP on Maturation of Denuded Oocytes.- 5.5.3.4. Effects of Steroids on Spontaneous Maturation of OCCC.- 5.5.3.5. Effect of Steroids on Maturation of Denuded Oocytes.- 5.5.3.6. Effects of Granulosa Cells and Follicular Fluid (FF1) on Spontaneous Maturation.- 5.5.3.7. Influence of Ions on Spontaneous Maturation.- 5.5.4. Possible Mechanisms of Gonadotropin Induction of Oocyte Maturation in Mammals.- 5.5.5. The Capability of Oocytes Matured In Vitro to Undergo Fertilization and Subsequent Development.- References.- 6 Special Features of Controlling Respiration during Oogenesis.- 6.1. Oxygen Consumption.- 6.1.1. Oocyte Growth.- 6.1.2. Oocyte Maturation.- 6.2. Intensity of Oocyte Respiration.- 6.3. Control of Oxygen Consumption.- 6.4. Control of Respiration Intensity in Oocytes.- References.- 7 Control of Carbohydrate Metabolism at Different Stages of Oogenesis.- 7.1. The Enzyme System of Carbohydrate Metabolism in the Oocytes of the Loach.- 7.2. Glycolysis and Gluconeogenesis in Oocytes.- 7.3. Gluconeogenesis and Glycogenesis in Oocytes.- 7.4. Special Features of Glycogen Synthetase in Loach Oocytes.- 7.5. Oocyte Maturation and Changes in Carbohydrate Metabolism.- 7.6. Satellite Enzymes of Gluconeogenesis during Oocyte Maturation.- 7.7. Oocyte Maturation and Control of Glycogenolysis in the Mature Oocyte and Embryo.- References.