The Oocyte

Figure 25

Giant oocyte with two apparent GVs (in an eccentric position). This is a tetraploid oocyte originating from the fusion of two separate oocytes (400× magnification).

Figure 24

Small MII oocyte (right) next to a normal-sized MII oocyte (left) from the same cohort (200× magnification).

Figure 27

Giant MII oocyte visualized using bright field (left) and polarized light microscopy (right). The oocyte contains two distinct polar bodies and two distinct MSs at opposing poles of the oocyte.

Figure 28

Giant MII oocyte visualized at high power using polarized light microscopy. The two distinct MSs can be observed in the cytoplasm. One MS is from the MI (10 o'clock position) and the other is from MII (6 o'clock position; 400× magnification).

Figure 29

Giant oocyte (right) next to normal-sized oocyte (left; 200× magnification).

Figure 30

Giant oocyte (right) next to normal-sized oocyte (left; 200× magnification). No PB1 is visible in the giant oocyte.

Figure 31

Elongated MII oocyte inside an elongated ZP. Note the PVS appears relatively normal (400× magnification).

Figure 32

Elongated MII oocyte within a grossly distended and irregular ZP (200× magnification).

Figure 33

Ovoid MII oocyte. Note the ZP is also ovoid in appearance and the PVS is enlarged at both poles (200× magnification).

Figure 34

Ovoid MII oocyte. Note the ZP is also ovoid in appearance permitting the PVS to remain relatively normal (200× magnification).

Figure 35

Two oocytes enclosed within a single ZP (400× magnification).

Figure 26

Giant oocyte with two apparent GVs (centrally located and juxtapposed). This tetraploid oocyte originates from the fusion of two separate oocytes and is usually tetraploid (400× magnification).