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First published online October 27, 2005
doi: 10.1242/10.1242/jcs.02624

Journal of Cell Science 118, 5071-5078 (2005)
Published by The Company of Biologists 2005
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Research Article

Differential contributions of connexin37 and connexin43 to oogenesis revealed in chimeric reaggregated mouse ovaries

Joanne E. I. Gittens1,2 and Gerald M. Kidder1,2,*

1 Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Paediatrics, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada
2 Children's Health Research Institute, 800 Commissioners Road East, London, Ontario N6C 2V5, Canada

* Author for correspondence (e-mail: gerald.kidder{at}schulich.uwo.ca)

Accepted 8 August 2005

The gap junction proteins connexin37 and connexin43 are required for ovarian folliculogenesis in the mouse. To define their respective roles in oogenesis, chimeric ovaries containing either null mutant oocytes and wild-type granulosa cells or the reverse combination were grafted to the renal capsules of immunodeficient female mice. After three weeks, the oocytes were tested for meiotic competence and fertilizability in vitro. Ovaries composed of connexin43-deficient oocytes and wild-type granulosa cells produced antral follicles enclosing oocytes that could develop to at least the two-cell stage, demonstrating that oocytes need not express connexin43 to reach maturity. Conversely, both follicle development and oocyte maturation were impaired in ovaries containing either wild-type oocytes and connexin43-deficient granulosa cells or connexin37-deficient oocytes and wild-type granulosa cells. Thus absence of connexin43 from granulosa cells or connexin37 from oocytes is sufficient to compromise both oocyte and follicle development. Wild-type oocytes paired with connexin37-deficient granulosa cells generated antral follicles containing oocytes that developed to at least the two-cell stage. Therefore, connexin37 absence from granulosa cells need not impair fertility in mice. Dye transfer experiments revealed persistent oocyte-granulosa cell coupling in those follicles, indicating functional compensation by another connexin. The results indicate that mouse oocytes do not need to express connexin43 in order to develop into meiotically competent, fertilizable gametes, but must express connexin37 for communication with granulosa cells, a requirement for oogenesis.

Key words: Gap junctions, Ovarian follicle, Granulosa cells, Oocyte




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