title: The differentiation of mammalian ovarian granulosa cells  living in the shadow of cellular developmental capacity.
abstract: The mammalian cumulus-oocyte complex (COCs) promotes oocyte growth and development during long stages of folliculogenesis and oogenesis. Before ovulation, the follicle is formed by a variety of fully differentiated cell populations; cumulus cells (CCs) that tightly surround the female gamete, granulosa cells (GCs) and theca cells (TCs) which build the internal and external mass of the follicular wall. It is well documented that CCs surrounding the oocyte are necessary for resumption of meiosis and full maturation of the gamete. However, the role of the granulosa cells in acquisition of MII stage and/or full fertilization ability is not yet entirely known. In this article, we present an overview of mammalian oocytes and their relationship to the surrounding cumulus and granulosa cells. We also describe the processes of GCs differentiation and developmental capacity. Finally, we describe several markers of mammalian GCs, which could be used for positive identification of isolated cells. The developmental capacity of oocytes and surrounding somatic cells  a fingerprint of folliculogenesis and oogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chachuła
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kranc
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Budna
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bryja
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ciesiólka
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland; Institute of Veterinary Sciences, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wojtanowicz-Markiewicz
authors.affiliation: Department of Toxicology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Piotrowska
authors.affiliation: Institute of Veterinary Sciences, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bukowska
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krajecki
authors.affiliation: Institute of Veterinary Sciences, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Antosik
authors.affiliation: Institute of Veterinary Sciences, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Brüssow
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bruska
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nowicki
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland; Department of Histology and Embryology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zabel
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland; Department of Anatomy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kempisty
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D054885:Cumulus Cells / Q000166:cytology; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006062:Gonadotropins / Q000502:physiology; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D008322:Mammals / Q000502:physiology; D009866:Oogenesis; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development; D010060:Ovulation / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006062:Gonadotropins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins