Meiotic arrest of oocytes depends on cell-to-cell communication in the ovarian follicle.
The source of the inhibitory levels of cAMP that maintain oocytes meiotically arrested is under controversy. A model for regulation of the meiotic division that suggests the transfer of a somatic follicular cells-derived cAMP into the oocyte via gap junctions was first proposed by us in 1978. Later studies provide strong evidence that established gap-junctional communication within the ovarian follicle is indispensable for maintenance of meiotic arrest. On the other hand, other recent reports suggest that oocytes generate their own inhibitory cAMP by a G protein-coupled receptor-activated Gs. These studies as well as other recent reports related to this topic are thoroughly discussed in this chapter.
Edry
Iris
I
Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
Sela-Abramovich
Sagit
S
Dekel
Nava
N
D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology*; D018031:Connexin 43 / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000502:physiology; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000235:genetics; D008540:Meiosis / Q000502:physiology*; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D018031:Connexin 43; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone