Fig. 1: Imaging cell-specific communicating structures in the ZP by endogenous-fluorescent labeling in follicles.
From: Oocyte-derived microvilli control female fertility by optimizing ovarian follicle selection in mice
a Illustration of the strategy to label the derivation of the cellular communicating structures in the ZP by cellular specifically expressed CreERT2 or Cre recombinase. Membrane-localized red-fluorescent protein (mT) switches to green-fluorescent protein (mG) in GCs of Foxl2-CreERT2;mTmG follicles and oocytes of Gdf9-Cre;mTmG follicles. b Images of Foxl2-CreERT2;mTmG ovarian sections showing the high density of GC-TZPs (arrows), and labeling of a single GC showing the messy tree root-like structure of GC-TZPs in detail (right). c Images of Gdf9-Cre;mTmG ovarian sections, the mushroom-like Oo-Mvi (arrowheads) distributed in a low density (left) and high magnification showing the vesicle tips (arrowheads) of Oo-Mvi (right). d The developmental dynamics of Oo-Mvi (arrowheads), showing the establishment of Oo-Mvi accompanied by follicle growth. e Time-lapse imaging of Oo-Mvi in living oocytes showing the breakdown of vesicles (arrowheads) of Oo-Mvi (Supplementary Movie 3). All experiments were repeated at least three times, and representative images are shown. Oo oocyte. GCs granulosa cells. ZP zona pellucida. b–e The colors were inverted to black/white (b/w) to highlight GC-TZPs (b) and Oo-Mvi (c–e). Scale bars: 5 μm (b–d) and 2 μm (e).
