Abstract:

Granulosa cells (GC) are the somatic cells in the follicles. With the development of follicles, GCs are differentiated into two kinds of cells, in terms of location and function: cumulus cells and mural granulosa cells. The cumulus cells are surrounding the oocyte, while the mural granulosa cells (GCs) are lining at the follicular wall. Cumulus cells mainly provide nutrition and energy for the oocyte growth and development, while mural granulosa cells are mainly responsible for endocrine function. Up to date, the differences in metabolomics between human cumulus cells and mural granulosa cells have not been reported. The definitions and differences in function and gene expression between cumulus cells and mural granulosa cells are systematically discussed in this review. New conjectures about the differences in metabolic profiles are also proposed. Exploring the differences between the two kinds of cells may be helpful to evaluate oocyte quality and embryonic developmental potential, and may have important clinical value in predicting pregnancy outcome.

Key words: Cumulus cells, Mural granulosa cells, Granulosa cells, Oocytes, Ovarian follicle, Metabolomics