Follicular Cell Separation
Follicular Cell Separation - Related Videos
11:35
Separation of Follicular Cells and Oocytes in Ovarian Follicles of Zebrafish
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Cited by 1 •
2021
Here, we present a simple method for separating follicular cells and oocytes in zebrafish ovarian follicles, which will facilitate investigations of ovarian development in zebrafish.
07:24
Xenopus Oocytes: Optimized Methods for Microinjection, Removal of Follicular Cell Layers, and Fast Solution Changes in Electrophysiological Experiments
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Cited by 5 •
2016
Optimized procedures for the isolation of single follicles, cytoplasmic RNA microinjections, the removal of surrounding cell layers, and protein expression in Xenopus oocytes are described. In addition, a simple method for fast solution changes in electrophysiological experiments with ligand-gated ion channels is presented.
06:40
Collection of Human Follicular Fluid, Follicle Somatic Cells, and Immature Oocytes from Individuals Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization
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2025
This protocol outlines standardized methods to isolate and process follicular fluid, somatic cells, and immature oocytes from IVF procedures, enabling high-quality molecular and cellular analyses. These approaches support translational research into fertility, reproductive aging, and ovarian dysfunction using materials typically discarded in clinical care.
09:48
Separation of Spermatogenic Cell Types Using STA-PUT Velocity Sedimentation
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Cited by 111 •
2013
The STA-PUT method allows for the separation of different populations of spermatogenic cells based on size and density.
01:20
Overview Of Cell Separation And Isolation
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2023
Cell separation was first achieved in 1964 by S. H. Seal, who separated large tumor cells from the smaller blood cells using filtration. Two years later, Pohl and Hawk performed experiments on how cells respond differently to a nonuniform electric field based on the cell type. Such observations were the inception of cell separation methods, which allow isolating a single cell type from a heterogeneous sample. Commonly used cell separation techniques include filtration, density gradient...
FAQs
The process targets the cell-cell and extracellular-matrix contacts that hold follicular and germ cell compartments together. Controlled enzymatic treatment, mechanical dissociation, or a combination of both releases the associated cells so the resulting fractions can be collected separately. This separation makes it possible to examine somatic and germline populations independently rather than analyzing their signals as a mixed sample.
Enzymatic treatment and mechanical dissociation provide different ways to disrupt the contacts surrounding an oocyte or developing follicle. Enzymes act on the structures contributing to cellular and matrix attachment, whereas mechanical treatment physically assists tissue dissociation. Using either approach alone or combining them allows the separation process to be adapted to the organization of the follicular material being studied.
Separation clarifies how somatic follicular cells and germ cells contribute individually to reproductive development. Once collected as distinct populations, the fractions can be examined for roles in oocyte maturation, follicle formation, and communication between germline and somatic tissues. This reduces ambiguity when interpreting whether an observed molecular or functional feature belongs to one compartment or reflects their interaction.
These contacts physically link the follicular cell and germ cell compartments, so their disruption determines whether the populations can be collected as separate fractions. If the contacts remain intact, independent analysis becomes more difficult; if they are successfully disrupted, the recovered fractions support compartment-specific studies. The need for controlled treatment reflects the importance of releasing cells while maintaining useful material for downstream analysis.
A typical workflow begins with material containing an oocyte or developing ovarian follicle, followed by disruption of cell-cell and extracellular-matrix contacts using enzymatic treatment, mechanical dissociation, or both. The resulting cell material is then collected as separate fractions. Those fractions can subsequently be directed toward imaging, molecular assays, or functional experiments, depending on the developmental question.
The separated fractions provide material for imaging, molecular assays, and functional experiments. Imaging can examine the recovered cell populations, while molecular assays can analyze each compartment independently. Functional experiments can test contributions of the isolated populations to developmental processes. Together, these options connect cellular organization with molecular and functional evidence in studies of ovarian development.
The technique is useful when researchers need to investigate oocyte maturation, follicle formation, or communication between germline and somatic tissues. By collecting the populations separately, developmental biology experiments can compare their individual properties and examine how their interactions regulate reproductive development. It therefore supports studies that require both compartment-specific analysis and interpretation of germline-somatic relationships.