Hyaluronidase Does Not Disperse the Cumulus Oophorus Surrounding Bovine Ova1

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Abstract
Bovine follicular oocytes were collected and cultured in vitro with commercially prepared hyaluronidase or with in vitro capacitated bovine spermatozoa. These treatments did not result in the dispersion of the cumulus oophorus layers surrounding these ova. Preincubation of follicular ova in TC-199 with or without FSH, hCG, pronase, dithiothreitol, hyaluronidase or trypsin had no effect on the subsequent ability of hyaluronidase to disperse the cumulus oophorus. Ova collected from the oviducts within 2-3 h after ovulation were completely devoid of surrounding follicular cells in the absence of exposure to sperm hyaluronidase. Incubation of follicular ova in vitro in oviducts of estrous or pregnant heifers resulted in the removal of cumulus layers. The role of bovine sperm hyaluronidase in the fertilization process is discussed.