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Imaging the Zona Pellucida of Canine and Feline Oocytes Using Scanning Electron Microscopy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 January 2009

Matthew O. Lunn  and
Shirley J. Wright
Matthew O. Lunn
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, University of Dayton, 300 College Park Avenue, Dayton, OH 45469-2320, USA
Shirley J. Wright*
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, University of Dayton, 300 College Park Avenue, Dayton, OH 45469-2320, USA
*
Corresponding author. E-mail: Shirley.Wright@notes.udayton.edu
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Abstract

Ultrastructure of the zona pellucida (ZP) of canine and feline oocytes has not been fully investigated. The objective of the study was to evaluate the potential use of the low vacuum scanning electron microscope (LVSEM) with oocytes. This required development of a method to prepare canine and feline cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) for LVSEM to provide ultrastructural information on the ZP. COCs were collected from ovaries, and cumulus cells were either partially or completely removed to reveal the ZP. COCs and zona-intact oocytes were fixed at 4°C for 1 h in 2.5% glutaraldehyde in 0.1 M sodium cacodylate buffer, pH 7.4 and subsequently viewed wet or further processed by critical point drying, and viewed uncoated or sputter coated with gold. Although the spongy surface of the ZP was visible at low vacuum in uncoated oocytes, coated oocytes had more details at high vacuum. The ZP surface of canine and feline oocytes contained numerous various-sized, spherical or elliptical pores that narrowed centripetally splitting into several smaller, deep pores. The round to oblong cumulus cells tightly surrounded the ZP. Each corona radiata cumulus cell tapered into a thin projection that entered the ZP. Our detailed techniques will enable future studies connecting ultrastructural and molecular aspects of oocyte maturation and development in mammals.

Keywords

scanning electron microscopyoocytezona pellucidacumulus cellscaninefeline
Type
Biological Applications
Information
Microscopy and Microanalysis , Volume 15 , Issue 1 , February 2009 , pp. 2 - 14
Copyright
Copyright © Microscopy Society of America 2009

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