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Hyaluronidase dissolves a component in the hamster zona pellucida.

The Journal of Experimental Zoology

|February 1, 1984

Summary

Sperm penetration requires navigating the hyaluronic acid-rich extracellular matrix (ECM) surrounding oocytes. This study confirms hyaluronic acid

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Area of Science:

Reproductive Biology
Cell Biology
Extracellular Matrix Research

Background:

Mammalian sperm must traverse the cumulus and corona radiata cells to reach the oocyte.
These cells are separated by an extracellular matrix (ECM) rich in hyaluronic acid.
The zona pellucida surrounds the oocyte, presenting a barrier to sperm.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the structure of the ECM and zona pellucida in hamster oocyte-cumulus complexes (OCCs).
To determine the role of hyaluronic acid in the ECM and zona pellucida structure.
To examine the effect of hyaluronidase on cumulus-corona radiata cell dispersion and ECM integrity.

Main Methods:

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with ruthenium red fixation.
Treatment of OCCs with various hyaluronidases (bovine testicular, Streptomyces, hamster sperm extracts).
Analysis of ECM and zona pellucida structure before and after enzymatic treatment.

Main Results:

Ruthenium red fixation preserved the highly structured ECM and zona pellucida.
The ECM between corona radiata cells contained a network of granules and filaments resembling hyaluronic acid matrices.
Hyaluronidase treatment dispersed cumulus and corona radiata cells, removing matrix filaments and granules in a time-dependent manner.
The outer zona pellucida was porous, with corona radiata ECM extending into these pores.

Conclusions:

The ECM between corona radiata cells is composed of hyaluronic acid.
Hyaluronic acid is a component of the outer one-third to one-half of the zona pellucida.
These findings support the role of hyaluronic acid in oocyte-cumulus complex structure and sperm penetration.

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