PMID: 7030287Jan 1, 1981Paper

Structure-function relationships in the wall of the ovarian follicle

Australian Journal of Biological Sciences
J D O'Shea

Abstract

This paper reviews current knowledge of the light and electron microscopic structure of the three layers of the mammalian follicular wall-follicular epithelium (membrana granulosa), theca interna and theca externa--and discusses correlations between structure and function. The ultrastructure of follicular epithelial cells in growing follicles emphasized their protein synthetic and secretory functions; features suggestive of a major steroidogenic function appear only at later stages. Regional differences in follicular epithelial cell function are probably important, although structurally these cells are relatively homogeneous. Structural diversity is more marked in the thecal layers: differentiation in the theca interna is towards fibrocytic and steroidogenic cell types, while that in the theca externa is towards fibrocytic and myoid types. Adherens and gap junctions are present between cells in all layers; however, tight (occludens) junctions have not been convincingly demonstrated between the cells in any of the three layers. Blood and lymph vessels are confined to the thecal layers. However, follicles possess no structural barrier comparable to that associated with the "blood-testis barrier', and show a correspondingly greate...Continue Reading

Citations

Sep 24, 1999·Biology of Reproduction·R Z SpaczynskiA J Duleba
Jun 1, 1992·Journal of Endocrinological Investigation·K Shirama, M Hokano
Apr 1, 1990·Journal of in Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer : IVF·B FischY Tadir

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