Glycosaminoglycans in bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes: morphology and chemistry

Bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes from small (1-5 mm) follicles were cultured for 24 h in 0.25 ml minimum essential medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and 20 microCi [3H]glucosamine. Treatment groups consisted of supplementing the culture medium with no hormone (control), 0.5 IU/ml follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) or 10 mM 8-Br-adenosine cyclic monophosphate (cAMP). After culture, the complexes were fixed for light and scanning electron microscopy. Electron photomicrographs revealed that complexes induced to expand with FSH or cAMP contained a copious glycosaminoglycan (GAG) matrix extending between and around the cumulus cells. Control complexes did not exhibit expansion or an extracellular matrix. The radiolabeled GAG material was isolated for chemical identification. Chemical analyses included: (1) electrophoresis of GAG material, (2) electrophoresis of GAG material after enzyme or nitrous acid treatment, (3) thin-layer chromatography of GAG hydrolysates. The results from electrophoresis showed that the radiolabeled GAG co- migrated with hyaluronic acid. The GAG material was resistant to chondroitinase ABC and nitrous acid degradation but was digested by hyaluronidase. Complexes treated with FSH and cAMP incorporated higher (P less than 0.1 and P less than 0.025 respectively) amounts of [3H]glucosamine into hyaluronic acid than control cultures. Thin-layer chromatography identified the primary amino sugar of the GAG to be glucosamine. These data collectively showed that the radioactive GAG produced by bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes was hyaluronic acid.