Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Fertilization of Xenopus oocytes using the Host Transfer Method
Published on: November 3, 2010
Activin incorporation into vitellogenic oocytes of Xenopus laevis
A Fukui1, R Shiurba, M Asashima
1Department of Life Sciences (Biology), Tokyo University, Japan.
Abstract:
Activin uptake into Xenopus oocytes was studied by several complementary methods. Immunocytochemistry of adult ovary localized activin and follistatin in the cytoplasm of vitellogenic oocytes and surrounding follicle cells. Surface plasmon resonance analysis of protein interaction kinetics indicated that while follistatin or a complex of activin-follistatin bound to yolk vitellogenin, activin alone did not. Radioactive tracer analysis measured specific incorporation of activin by viable oocytes in vitro. Together, the results suggest that vitellogenic oocytes can import activins from follicle cells and that follistatin may act as a chaperone for binding activin to vitellogenin in yolk platelets.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Oogenesis
Cleavage and Blastulation
Zygotic Development And Stem Cell Formation
Oogenesis
Each primary oocyte is surrounded by a layer of pre-granulosa cells, forming what is known...
In Vitro Fertilization
The IVF process begins with ovarian stimulation, during which reproductive endocrinologists prescribe hormonal medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of the single...

