During ovulation the oocyte and surrounding somatic cumulus cells contained
within a specialized, mucoid matrix are released from the ovary.
One matrix component, TNF-a stimulated gene
6 (TSG-6), is a hyaluronan binding protein induced in cumulus cells
of preovulatory follicles by the LH surge and is decreased in cumulus
cells of COX-2 and EP2 null mice which exhibit impaired ovulation and
cumulus expansion. Disruption of the functional interactions between
TSG-6 IaI, and hyaluronan in cultures of
cumulus cell-oocyte complexes (COCs) severely alters expansion indicating
that TSG-6 is a key structural component of the COC matrix. Richard
previously engineered a system to do low-light videomicroscopy inside
a 37° humidified 5% CO2 incubator, and he helped Scott Ochsner
and Joanne Richards use the system
(Ochsner et al. Disrupted function of TNF-a
stimulated gene 6 blocks cumulus cell-oocyte complex expansion. Endocrinology
2003 Oct;144(10):4376-84).
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