Fine morphology of membrana granulosa in caprine ovary

Abstract

Ovaries from 12 goats were studied during follicular phase for the topography and ultrastrueture of membrana granulosa of antral follicles. The granulosa cells from preantral follicles were similar to that of mural cells from antral follicles. However, cumulus and corona radiata cells were morphologically and structurally distinct from the mural granulosa cells. Characteristic features of protein and lipid synthesizing cells were commonly observed in both the categories of the cells. The interacting surfaces were distinct in both the populations of granulosa cells. Desmosomes, hemidesmosomes, intercalated cell junctions and annulate junctions were the main sites of granulosa cell to cell interaction. These junctions were prominent in cumulus cells. Interdigitation of finger like processes of plasma membrane of oocyte and that of corona radiata cells were the main sites of structural interactions.