Ovarian Granulosa Cell

A cuboidal cell derived from a spindle-shaped granulosa cell precursor. Initially, ovarian granulosa cells create a single layer surrounding an oocyte. The oocyte and its single layer of ovarian granulosa cells make up a primary follicle. Proliferation of the ovarian granulosa cells leads to multiple cell layers surrounding the oocyte and maturation into a secondary follicle. The granulosa cells extend cytoplasmic processes to form gestational gap-junction-like unions with the plasma membrane of the oocyte. The continued growth of the ovarian granulosa cells takes the oocyte to the Graafian follicle stage. Once ovulation occurs, the granulosa cells become part of the corpus luteum. A major function of an ovarian granulosa cell is hormone production and secretion. (NCI Thesaurus)

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