| Cumulus oophorus | |
|---|---|
 Section of vesicularovarian follicle of acat. X 50. (Discus proligerus labeled at lower left.) | |
| Details | |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | cumulus oophorus discus proliger |
| FMA | 18659 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
Thecumulus oophorus (discus proligerus) is a cluster of cells that surround theoocyte both in theovarian follicle and afterovulation. In theantral follicle, it may be regarded as an extension of themembrana granulosa. The innermost layer of these cells is thecorona radiata.[1]
This layer of cells must be penetrated byspermatozoa forfertilization to occur.
Functions of the cumulus oophorus include coordination of follicular development and oocyte maturation.[2] Mechanisms of the latter include stimulation ofamino acid transport andsterolbiosynthesis and regulation of oocytegene transcription.[2]
It also provides energy substrates for oocytemeiotic resumption and promotesglycolysis.[2]
Cumulus oophorus cells contribute heavily to the maturation and eventual fertilization of an oocyte. As a follicle grows in size and the antrum develops, more layers of cumulus oophorus cells accumulate around the oocyte to aid in theacrosome reaction that enables the sperm to penetrate into the oocyte. The proximity between the cumulus oophorus cells and the oocyte favors bidirectional communication, which is vital foroocyte development.
As a part of the process ofin vitro fertilization,gene expression profiling of cumulus cells can be performed to estimate oocyte quality and the efficiency of anovarian hyperstimulation protocol, and may indirectly predict oocyteaneuploidy, embryo development and pregnancy outcomes. Increased knowledge in these aspects is useful in, for example,embryo selection.[citation needed]
In geneexpression profiling of cumulus cells, genes where increased expression is correlated with higher oocyte competence or better pregnancy outcomes, include:HAS2,GREM1 andPTGS2.
In contrast, genes where increased expression is correlated with lower oocyte competence or worse pregnancy outcomes include:BDNF,CCND2,CXCR4,GPX3,HSPB1,DVL3,DHCR7,CTNND1,TRIM28,STAR,AREG,CX43,PTGS2,SCD1 andSCD5.[citation needed]
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