Ultrastructure of tubular smooth endoplasmic reticulum aggregates in human metaphase II oocytes and clinical implications Rosália Sá, M.Sc., Mariana Cunha, B.Sc., Joaquina Silva, M.D., Ana Luís, M.D., Cristiano Oliveira, M.D., José Teixeira da Silva, M.D., Alberto Barros, M.D., Ph.D., Mário Sousa, M.D., Ph.D. Fertility and Sterility Volume 96, Issue 1, Pages 143-149.e7 (July 2011) DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2011.04.088 Copyright © 2011 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions
Figure 1 Ultrastructure of the (A, B) periphery and (C) inner cytoplasm of a mature metaphase II oocyte with a large aggregate of tubular smooth endoplasmic reticulum (aSERT). ZP = zona pellucida; Mv = microvilli; cv = cortical vesicles; small vesicles (v) and tubules (t) of smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER); SER large vesicles (V) associated with normal-shaped mitochondria (m); T = peripheral small aSERT; ∗ = central large aSERT associated with ring- and horseshoe-shaped mitochondria (mr); dense curvilinear tubules in a peripheral small aggregate of tubular SER (arrowhead); aggregate of small dense granules (arrow) at the periphery of the large central aSERT. Bars: 1 μm (A, B), 2 μm (C). Fertility and Sterility 2011 96, 143-149.e7DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2011.04.088) Copyright © 2011 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions
Figure 2 Ultrastructure of the mature metaphase II oocyte with a centrally located large aSERT. (A) View of the whole aSERT (∗). Aggregate of small dense granules (arrow). (A, B) Dense curvilinear tubules (arrowheads) inside the large aSERT. (C, D) Periphery of the central large aSERT. (C) Ring- and horseshoe-shaped mitochondria encircling SER small vesicles and closely encircled by thin SER tubules. (D) The aggregate of small dense granules are apparently formed by rosettes of very small vesicles (arrowhead). Bars: 3 μm (A), 0.5 μm (B, C), 0.15 μm (D). Abbreviations as in Figure 2. Fertility and Sterility 2011 96, 143-149.e7DOI: (10.1016/j.fertnstert.2011.04.088) Copyright © 2011 American Society for Reproductive Medicine Terms and Conditions