Reproduction Abstracts

The LH surge induces ovulation and events associated with this process: oocyte meiotic maturation, cumulus cell–oocyte complex (COC) expansion, and release of mature (MII arrested) oocytes within the expanded cumulus cell complex matrix. Oocytes and cumulus cells express few if any LH receptors whereas mural granulosa cells exhibit high levels of this gonadotropin receptor. Therefore, in response to the LH surge granulosa cells are presumed to secrete growth factors that ...