Granulosa cell-oocyte interactions.
Throughout oogenesis the oocyte and follicle cells establish an intricate system of mutual interactions that ultimately lead to the acquisition of their respective competences. Paracrine factors released by both cell types are believed to stimulate formation of the primordial follicle and support the initial phases of follicle growth. At the same time, these processes are also dependent on gap junction communication between the germinal and somatic compartment. At later stages of follicle development, activities released by the oocyte induce the adjacent granulosa cells to express a specialized phenotype. In their turn, these cells crucially regulate the ability of the oocyte to progress through the meiotic process and acquire full developmental potential.