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The Physiology of the Xenopus laevis Ovary

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Xenopus Protocols

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology™ ((MIMB,volume 322))

Abstract

Xenopus laevis has been used for many decades to study oocyte development and maturation. The Xenopus oocytes’ large size, relative abundance, and clearly defined progression of physical characteristics from oogonia to eggs make them ideal for studying oogenesis. In addition, the ability of steroids to trigger Xenopus oocyte maturation in vitro has resulted in their extensive use for the study of the complexities of meiosis. Interestingly, steroid-induced maturation of Xenopus oocytes occurs completely independent of transcription; thus, this process serves as one of the few biologically relevant models of nongenomic steroid-mediated signaling. Finally, Xenopus oocytes appear to play a critical role in ovarian steroidogenesis, suggesting that the Xenopus ovary may serve as a novel system for studying steroidogenesis. Evidence indicates that many of the features defining Xenopus laevis oogenesis and maturation might also be occurring in mammals, further emphasizing the strength and relevance of Xenopus laevis as a model for ovarian development and function.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and metabolism; Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX

    Melissa A. Rasar & Stephen R. Hammes

Authors
  1. Melissa A. Rasar
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  2. Stephen R. Hammes
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Ottawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

    X. Johné Liu

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© 2006 Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ

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Rasar, M.A., Hammes, S.R. (2006). The Physiology of the Xenopus laevis Ovary. In: Liu, X.J. (eds) Xenopus Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology™, vol 322. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-000-3_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-000-3_2

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-362-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59745-000-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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