Morphological diversity of oocytes released from the adult mouse ovary.

This study was designed to classify and differentiate the population of oocytes released from the mouse ovary by mechanical means. Liberated oocytes were classified on the basis of their number, size and by the nature of the attachment of follicle cells to these oocytes. Microscopical examination of oocytes mechanically released from the ovaries revealed three distinct morphological classifications of oocytes: (1) those completely devoid of follicle cells, (2) those encased in follicle cells and (3) those in the process of degeneration. Ooxytes ranged in size from approximatley 30mu to 119mu. Those oocytes surrounded by follicle cells could be further subdivided into two groups depending on whether the follicle cells could be mechanically removed from the oocyte. These data demonstrate that the adult ovary contains a variety of classes of oocytes which differ in size and in the extent to which the follicle cells are attached to the oocytes. It is suggested that the metabolic activities and meiotic potnetials of the various oocyte populations differ and as a result, care should be employed to insure a uniform population of oocytes when conducting further studies sith mechanically liberated oocytes.