Ultrastructural changes in oocytes during folliculogenesis in domestic mammals

Germ cells that originate the pool of primordial oocytes derive from the inner cell mass of the developing blastocyst [10]. They arise in the allantois and migrate into the endoderm and to the genital ridge [11]. During their migration the germ cells divide mitotically and increase in number [12]. Proliferation of the coelomic epithelium and concomitant condensation of the underlying mesenchyme lead to the formation of a swelling, denominated genital ridge or gonadal crest [13]. Initially, the gonadal crest does not contain any primordial germ cells, which at that time are still located in the epithelium of the yolk sac, close to the base of the allantois. A migratory phenotype of the primordial germ cells reaches the gonadal crests through amoeboid movements [13]. Once established in the developing ovary, the proliferating primordial germ cells begin to differentiate into oogonia [12]. The population of oogonia expands through a predetermined species-specific number of mitotic divisions until the cells enter meiosis and become oocytes [14],[15]. The maximum number of female germ cells is reached at the time of transition from mitosis to meiosis [16]. The maximum number of germ cells in some species can be seen in Table 1. Although Johnson et al. [17] demonstrated that primordial germ cells are present on the surface epithelium of the ovary, there is still controversy about whether the reserve of oocytes is renewable or not [18]. Recently, White et al. [19] isolated the so-called "rare mitotically active germ cells" from adult mouse and human ovaries and propagated them in vitro, which after all generated oocytes.

The first oogonia to undergo meiotic division are located in the innermost areas of the ovarian cortex and the developmental wave of meiosis spreads outwards. By mid- to late-gestation in large animals and humans many stages of germ cell development are simultaneously present in the fetus' ovary [10]. Clusters of germ cells are formed with a number of oogonia and surrounded by somatic cells that are considered granulosa cell precursors [12],[25].

Folliculogenesis concerns to a lengthy developmental process a follicle goes through, from the time it leaves the reserve pool and begins to grow by cell proliferation and antrum formation until ovulation or atresia [26],[27]. Folliculogenesis starts before birth in some mammalian species (cow, sheep and buffalo) [28] or shortly after birth in others (mouse, rat, hamster) [28]-[30]. By this time all germ cells in the ovaries are primary oocytes, which will remain in this stage until puberty, when at each cycle selected follicle(s) go on to ovulate [10].

Even before birth, some oocytes will die by a process named apoptosis. Apoptosis is likely to be a mechanism for reducing the number of oocytes/ovarian follicles, and females are born with far fewer oocytes than the maximum number reached during fetal life [31] (Table 1).

The supply of preantral follicles per ovary is highly variable among species [20] and has been estimated at 70,576 in Bos indicus[32] and 89,577 in Bos Taurus[33], 19,819 in buffaloes [34], 75,642 in sheep [35], 37,646 in goats [36], 402,000 in humans [37], 106,071 in monkeys (Cebus apella) [38], 37,853 in domestic cats [39], 210,00 in pigs [40] and 47,900 in domestic dogs [41].

Every day, a great number of primordial follicles initiate growth, granulosa cells proliferate and oocytes start developing [42]. The initiation of primordial follicles growth starts a series of morphological changes leading to subsequent stages of follicular development - the primary and secondary follicles (preantral), tertiary and, finally, the preovulatory follicles (antral) [43]. These changes can be observed in follicular and oocyte diameter and the number of granulosa cells (Table 2). Alterations in follicular and oocyte ultrastructure and physiology will happen at many levels, and there are some distinct modifications among mammalian species.

Primordial follicles are characterized by a quiescent oocyte, arrested in prophase I of meiosis surrounded by a single layer of flattened granulosa cells. These primordial follicles constitute the ovarian reserve from which follicles are engaged for development [50].

The quiescent oocytes are ovoid or spherical with a homogeneous cytoplasm. The nucleus may be located in a central or eccentric position inside the oocytes in most species (Figure 1A and B). The nucleus is enclosed by a smooth envelope [51],[52]. Usually, the chromatin is found uncondensed and one or two nucleoli are observed (Figure 1C) [44],[49],[52],[53].

In most species, the cytoplasm of oocytes in primordial follicles exhibits organelles close to the nucleus or uniformly distributed throughout the cytoplasm (Figure 1A and 1B). In humans, groups of organelles are seen close to the nucleus and are named Balbiani bodies [54]. Balbiani body is a large distinctive collection of organelles asymmetrically located near the nucleus in very young oocytes, consisting of mitochondria and associated endoplasmic reticulum surrounding Golgi elements. Besides being well described in human oocytes, they are also found in oocytes of other species (vertebrates and invertebrates). Although the function of mammalian Balbiani body is unknown, this structure may have a possible role in nucleo-cytoplasmic transfer [55],[56].

In any case, the most abundant organelles found in primordial follicle oocytes are round-shaped mitochondria (Figure 1B) [44], which are known to be an immature form of this organelle and develop to an elongated shape as they become mature [57]. The presence of immature mitochondria is consistent with primordial follicles containing a quiescent oocyte that does not require a large amount of energy to survive [44]. An abundant, scattered mitochondrial population is evident in primordial follicle oocytes in pigs and numerous mitochondria are randomly distributed, with an extensive network of endoplasmic reticulum permeating the cytoplasm [58]. In cows primordial follicle oocytes, round mitochondria are abundant and they present few peripheral cristae [44]. In yaks, a few hooded mitochondria are observed [52].

Besides mitochondria, in most mammals the ooplasm of the primordial follicle contains lipid droplets, endoplasmic reticulum, some Golgi cisternae, polyribosomes and a variable number of vesicles [57]. In non-domestic cats, the endoplasmic reticulum is not well developed and Golgi complexes are rarely seen [59]. In the ooplasm of buffaloes, a delimited region with a well-developed smooth endoplasmic reticulum is observed [45]. In yaks [52] and pigs [49], polyribosomes are seen on the surface of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and distributed throughout the ooplasm.

The oocytes of all mammals contain lipids, and the content varies between species in terms of abundance and characteristics. Especially in pigs, lipid droplets are abundant in the oocytes from the primordial stage onwards, and they appear as small dark round structures (Figure 1A) [49]. Lipid droplets are considered to be an energy source [60]. In most species, often the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and lipid droplets are found associated with each other (Figure 1D) [57]. Some early biochemical studies showed that the synthesis of lipids (such as the triacylglycerol stored on lipid droplets) requires enzymatic activity associated with both the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, with lipids being transported and transferred between the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria (For a review see [61]). As the follicle grows, the number of these metabolic units in the ooplasm increases, denoting a rise in oocyte metabolism [34]. In goats, buffaloes and sheep, many vesicles are spread throughout the cytoplasm and they present different electron densities [45],[47],[62], which might mean different contents, like proteins or mucopolysaccharide [63].

In primordial follicles, granulosa cells are small and have a relatively large nucleus that matches the cell format, and presents clusters of condensed and uncondensed chromatin [44]. In goats, granulosa cells present low density of cytoplasmic organelles [47], and in buffaloes scarce myelin figures are present [45], being the result of the digestion of old or nonfunctional structures [64].

Overall, there are no specialized junctions between granulosa cells or between them and the oocyte. At this stage, any substance that needs to gain access to the oocyte is incorporated by endocytosis or enters by diffusion through intimate contact between the membranes of granulosa cells and the oocyte. This can be observed by the presence of a large number of coated pits in the cortical cytoplasm of primordial follicle oocytes of bovine (Figure 1E) [44],[57],[65],[66] and other species [47],[52].

Initiation of growth and the transition from primordial to primary follicle begins with the development of primordial follicles. At this point, follicles become "committed", and follicular growth proceeds until the follicle is ovulated or undergoes atresia [50],[67]. Follicular growth takes place in only a small number of follicles each time [68], and the complete elucidation of the factors responsible for triggering follicular development remains one of the major unsolved problems of ovarian physiology.

The classical changes that characterize this process are the differentiation and proliferation of granulosa cells and the enlargement of the oocyte: in the primary follicle, granulosa cells increase in number and become cuboidal in shape [2]. Granulosa cells at this stage are situated close to each other and adherens junctions are common between granulosa cells and the oocyte and also between adjacent granulosa cells [57]. Their nuclei are irregular with indentations and there are round mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, few Golgi cisternae and vesicles in their cytoplasm [2],[47] (Figure 2A). Additionally, in pig primordial follicles many lipid droplets can be seen in the oocyte and granulosa cells (Figure 2B). The oocyte undergoes volume expansion, the zona pellucida proteins start to be secreted between the growing oocyte and the granulosa cells in cattle [2] and buffaloes [45], and an evident zona pellucida is observed at the primary follicle stage in some species, including rats [69], mice [11],[70], guinea pigs [71], rabbits [72], rhesus monkeys [73], humans [74],[75], sheep [62], domestic cats [39], and non-domestic cats [59].

In general, most ultrastructural features of the ooplasm and its organelles and inclusions of primary follicles are similar to those described for the primordial follicles. Most mitochondria are still round, although elongated and dividing mitochondria become more common [57] (Figure 2A).

Once the primary follicle starts developing this process cannot be interrupted, and many morphological changes will happen in the oocyte and granulosa cells during the further steps of folliculogenesis [76].

The organelles that were uniformly distributed throughout the ooplasm in primordial and initial primary stages migrate to the periphery of ooplasm in secondary follicles, leaving an organelle-free zone next to the nucleus [49]. In cats, the organelles are organized in clusters [39], such organization will only happen later in other species [66],[77].

Oocytes of secondary follicles are predominantly spherical and present a cytoplasm with vesicles and round and elongated mitochondria in cows [44],[57],[78], sheep [79], goats [36],[47],[80], cats [39], buffaloes [34],[45], humans [54],[81] and yaks [52].

Mitochondria are still the most abundant organelle in secondary follicle oocytes. Although round mitochondria (Figure 3A) are still present, their elongated form (Figure 3B) becomes more frequent, which is consistent with the higher metabolism of the oocytes at this stage. In buffaloes and pigs, however, round mitochondria are still more abundant in secondary follicle and elongated mitochondria are rare [45],[49]. Two types of round mitochondria can be observed in oocytes from cats [39] and other species, those with low electron-density and few peripheral cristae (Figure 3C) and those with high electron-density and many cristae. In cows and buffaloes, mitochondria presenting a membrane dividing their matrix into two or more compartments are often seen [44],[45], which may denote organelle division [44]. In goat oocyte mitochondria a few cristae are arranged parallel and close to the outer mitochondria membrane, leaving a large central area of moderately electron-dense inner matrix [47]. In pigs and cows, electron-dense granules are often observed in the mitochondrial matrix (Figures 3B, 3C and 3D) [44],[49],[57],[82]. These electron-dense granules in the mitochondrial matrix are very common in some cell types and have been reported to be especially prominent in tissues transporting large amounts of ions or water, suggesting that these granules are related to the regulation of the internal ionic environment of the mitochondrion [64]. Silva et al. [49] showed that round mitochondria in pig secondary follicles were organized as "strings of pearls" (Figure 3E), which can also be observed in other species [41]. Hooded mitochondria (Figure 3F) as well as pleomorphic forms (Figure 3G) can also be seen in the secondary follicle oocytes of sheep [83],[84], cattle [85] and yaks [52].

Endoplasmic reticulum (Figure 4A, 4B and 4C) and Golgi cisternae (Figure 4D and 4E) become aggregated and well developed, which is also consistent with the higher metabolism of the oocytes in growing follicles. There are also a lot of free polyribosomes and a larger amount of lipid droplets [65]. Myelin figures are commonly observed in the ooplasm [44], suggesting the turnover of cytoplasmic structures [64]. In pigs, lipid droplets are abundant and they change in appearance from small round dark droplets in primordial and primary follicle oocytes to large gray structures in secondary follicle oocytes [49]. According to Isachenko et al. [86], these changes in appearance may be related to lipolysis, but they can also reflect a change in fatty acids composition as the oocyte develops [49]. This variation may be species-specific or related to factors such as the physiological status of the animal or its diet [87],[88]. Lipid droplets are also present in cattle [89] and sheep oocytes [90], though to a lesser extent.

The number of cytoplasmic vesicles increases in active oocytes in cattle [57] and buffaloes [45], occupying most of the oocyte cytoplasm. This increment might denote the stock of different biomolecules, like proteins, polysaccharide [63], or even lipids. In pigs, some structures first classified as vesicles were in fact lipid droplets, as proved by a specific stain method [49]. In cats, vesicles are scarce at this stage and in humans they appear especially at the antral stage [25]. Lucci et al. [36] suggested that some secretory vesicles may contain material for the synthesis of zona pellucida. The zona pellucida is made of glycoproteins, which are detected in the cytoplasm of follicular cells [91].

Zona pellucida is usually completely formed around the oocyte in secondary follicles, although in some species it has already developed at the primary follicle stage (Figure 5A). However, in species such as goats [47], buffaloes [45], yaks [52], pigs [49] and dogs [41] the zona pellucida is not yet visible in primary follicles (Figure 5B), or even in secondary follicles, in which only patches of zona pellucida material can be observed (Figure 5C). The formation of the zona pellucida is related to the appearance of short erect microvilli in the oocyte plasma membrane. Also, projections from granulosa cells are seen encroaching into the zona pellucida and protruding towards the oocyte, where gap junctions (Figure 5D) are found between oocyte and granulosa cell membranes [44],[57]. Gap junctions are responsible for intercommunication between oocytes and granulosa cells during the development of female gametes [92]. Evidence indicates that somatic cell-oocyte interactions via gap junctions are essential for oocyte growth and metabolism. So at this stage of follicle development coated pits are found in fairly small amounts [57].

Cortical granules are seen for the first time in secondary follicles. They are small organelles like vesicles containing enzymes that undergo exocytosis upon fertilization. At this time, cortical granules are aligned near the oocyte plasmatic membrane and the release of their contents aims to harden the zona pellucida to prevent polyspermy (for details see [93]). In secondary follicle oocytes, cortical granules usually appear in clusters (Figure 5E), either distributed all over the ooplasm or confined to the deep cortical area near the Golgi complex [57]. Exceptionally in the domestic cat these granules appear already aligned at the cortical region of the oocyte (Figure 5F) at the secondary follicle stage [39]. This feature, together with the early organization of organelles in clusters, suggests that in domestic cats the process of oocyte maturation occurs earlier than in other species [39], which may be related to their peculiarity of being a copulation-induced ovulation species. In non-domestic cats, the peripheral region of the ooplasm presents immature to mature cortical granules [59], and in cows small clusters of cortical granules were initially observed in large secondary follicle oocytes [44].

In general, the morphology of granulosa cells in secondary follicles resembles those in primary follicles. There are many electron-lucent vesicles in their cytoplasm in buffaloes and goats [45],[47]. Lucci et al. [47] suggest that granulosa cells are engaged in steroidogenesis, based on the great number of smooth endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria present in their cytoplasm. Wolgemuth et al. [91] suggest that they are also involved in the synthesis of zona pellucida, because glycoproteins were identified in their cytoplasm.

The beginning of theca formation can be recognized by presence of elongated cells attached to the basement membrane, but the theca interna layer is still poorly defined in small secondary follicles [50]. On large secondary follicles, a clear theca interna layer is formed [50]. At this stage, spaces between adjacent granulosa cells filled with follicular fluid are also observed [47]. Progressive accumulation of fluid causes distension of these cavities and the initial formation of the antrum, leading the follicles to the antral stage [73] (Figure 6). The transition from preantral to early antral follicle is a critical stage of follicular development in terms of follicle destiny (growth versus atresia). During this period, the interaction between oocyte and somatic cells (granulosa and theca) is especially important, and many growth factors are involved (for a review see [94]).

Antral formation occurs later in pig follicles (at 400 μm in diameter) [95] than in cattle (120–160 μm - [96]) and sheep follicles (220 μm - [97]; 300 μm - [98]). The differences in the timing of antrum formation may be important in the overall course of folliculogenesis, since there is a substantial increase in the growth rate of follicles after antrum formation. The fluid-filled antrum separates the cumulus oophorus cells surrounding the oocyte from the granulosa cells lining the wall of the follicle (for review, see [99]).

Mural granulosa cells of antral follicles are rich in Golgi complex, rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum and small vesicles, as well as round and elongated mitochondria and lipid droplets [80]. Mural and cumulus granulosa cells of antral follicles are similar in ultrastructural organization, however they are different from preantral granulosa cells, having more smooth endoplasmic reticulum and lipid droplets, which suggest that they present different metabolic functions [80], developing mechanisms for producing steroid [100]. The granulosa membrane is separated from theca cells by collagen microfibrils. Cytoplasmic contact between theca and granulosa cells was never seen. Theca interna cells have an elongated nucleus. The number of mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum and free ribosomes vary among individual theca cells, and seems to increase as they became more differentiated. Golgi complexes associated with many small vesicles are always present [101],[102]. Capillaries are often seen in the theca interna, specially concentrated close to the basal lamina [101],[102]. A larger number of capillaries of different sizes are frequently observed in the theca externa [102].

In general, in tertiary follicles, all the oocytes are completely surrounded by the zona pellucida, which is crossed by projections of the granulosa cells that form indentations in the oolemma [57]. At this time, the organelles have achieved a more even distribution throughout the ooplasm, and elongated mitochondria, lipid droplets and vesicles increase in numbers [66] (Figure 7A). That is only reasonable, since oocytes that grow to a bigger size may require larger amounts of the machinery needed to move and store cytoplasmic constituents [56].

Large amounts of lipids in oocytes are observed isolated or organized in groups in mouse [103]. In buffaloes these lipid droplets have been confirmed by the addition of the component thiol in the culture medium of in vitro maturation [104]. In oocytes derived from buffalo follicles (6 mm in diameter) organelles are located in the perinuclear region, mitochondria in the cortical area and lipid droplets in the medullary area [34]. The authors suggested that this organization indicates a high metabolic rate of these oocytes, which tends to increase with its development and growth.

Several ultrastructural changes can be observed in cytoplasmic organelles during oocyte maturation. Mitochondria move from a peripheral position (Figure 7A) before the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge to a scatter distribution throughout the cytoplasm (not shown) and have a clustered cortical formation in the final stages of nuclear maturation (Figure 7B), and a dispersed distribution after the extrusion of the polar body [77]. At that time oocyte microvilli loosen from the zona pellucida (Figure 7B). Upon reaching metaphase II the mitochondria and lipid droplets occupy a central position in the cell [66].

Cortical granules that were arranged in clusters in the deep cortex of secondary follicle oocytes [53] progressively migrate towards the subplasmalemmal areas in antral follicle oocytes (Figure 7C) [105],[106]. Cortical granules are derived from the Golgi complex and continuously produced until ovulation [107], and their migration to the periphery of the oocyte is an important step in oocyte cytoplasmic maturation [108]. At the end of the maturation period, when these oocytes reach metaphase II, cortical granules are aligned to the inner surface of the oocyte plasma membrane (Figure 7D) [109],[110], ready to released their contents as soon as the oocyte is fertilized to prevent polyspermy [93].

Furthermore, the cytoplasm of the oocyte from tertiary follicles is characterized by the presence of hooded and pleomorphic mitochondria, and well developed Golgi cisternae, mainly in the periphery of the ooplasm [111]. The dynamics of the Golgi membranes during maturation and fertilization in mammals requires more study. Associations between endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria and lipid droplets become common (Figures 4C and 7E) [66],[77]. This organelles association is both related to lipid metabolism and ER-mitochondria calcium signaling [61]. It allows efficient transmission of signals from cytosolic calcium to the mitochondria, enabling activation of the mitochondrial metabolism and an increase in ATP supply for the calcium pump in the endoplasmic reticulum [112],[113]. It is likely that in oocytes at this stage of development, this structure is involved in the regulation of sperm-triggered Ca²⁺ oscillation [112]. The membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum are physiologically active and interact with the cytoskeleton [114]. The endoplasmic reticulum reorganization in oocyte maturation is a complex multistep process involving distinct microtubule and microfilament-dependent phases [115].

The mature oocyte is finally ovulated usually at the metaphase II stage, having extruded the first polar body (Figure 7F). Of course, all those morphological changes happen concomitantly with biochemical and molecular modifications (for details see [114],[116]), which lead the oocytes to nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation and guarantee their competence to be fertilized.