Abstract

The oocyte and the granulosa cells surrounding the oocyte in the griffin follicle are together called as the Cumulus oophorous complex. The granulosa cells synthesize estrogen from the androgens by aromatization under the influence of follicle stimulating hormone. The androgens are derived from theca cells under the influence of Luteinizing hormone from anterior pituitary. This makes the follicular milieu estrogenic. This is the paracrine influence of cumulus cells on oocyte. There are also trans zonal cytoplasmic extensions of oocyte that communicate with granulosa cells by gap junctions. This narrative review aims to highlight the cumulus oophorous interdependence and role of partial cumulus denudation in improving the success of intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Keywords: Cumulus Oophorous Complex; Partial Oocyte Denudation; Embryo Quality; Complete Oocyte Denudation