Figure 9

ZP3 expression by OLCs in IVM treated OSC cultures is stolen by fibroblasts. A) OLCs in untreated OSC cultures show week nuclear ZP3 expression, which is absent in accompanying satellite cells (SC) and fibroblasts (FB). Arrowheads indicate tube like ring canals between OLC and SC. Arrows indicate bindings of FBs to the OLC. B) After hCG treatment the OLC exhibits strong nuclear and surface (black arrowhead) ZP3 expression, which is also present in accompanying SC (white arrowhead). The ZP3 expression is stolen by FBs (red arrowheads), leaving the surface of OLC ZP3 depleted (open arrowhead). C) The OSC culture from a 30 years old POF female was IVM (FSH+hCG) pretreated and fertilized with the husband's sperm. The phase contrast (PhC) image from a live culture shows that virtually all sperm are associated with fibroblasts instead with OLCs.