Induction of germinal vesicle breakdown activity in Xenopus laevis oocytes by Triton X-100

Induction of germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) in Xenopus laevis oocytes is triggered by progesterone. This substance acts on the oocyte surface to induce GVBD. In the present study, Triton X-100 (0.01%), a non-ionic detergent, was found to artifically trigger GVBD in follicle-free oocytes in Xenopus laevis as in the case of progesterone when it was applied alone for a short period externally in vitro. The result suggests that the interaction of Triton with the occyte surface causes some change which induces GVBD activity. In addition, it was determined by the trypan blue exclusion test that this treatment was mild enough to maintain oocyte survival. Thus, unstained oocytes were regarded to be alive for GVBD determination.