Chapter 7:Follicular Development

oogenesis

physiological processes of growing and maturing of the oocyte

proteolytic enzymes

an enzyme that breaks down protein structures

tactile contact

contact between cells that allows biochemical signaling via physical touch of one cell to the other

folliculogenesis

physiological process leading to growth and development of the follicle

oocytes

female gametes

liquor folliculi

follicular fluid

atretic follicle

a follicle and its oocyte that die without developing to the point of ovulation

spontaneous ovulators

animals which ovulate in response to hormone cycles regardless of being mated or not

maternal recognition signal

a physiological signal “alerting“ the mothers physiology she is pregnant, which will maintain corpus luteum function

Zona pellucida

A nonliving protein envelope surrounding the fully expanded egg cell, which serves as a barrier to sperm penetration of the egg and prevents trans-species fertilization of the egg