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The objectives of this study are to determine cortical granule distribution during in vitro maturation, parthenogenetic activation and in vitro fertilization of oocytes, and to investigate effects of microfilament inhibitor on the cortical granule distribution during in vitro maturation and fertilization of oocytes in the pig, The corti-cal granule distribution were imaged with fluor-escent labeled lectin under laser scanning confocal microscope or detected by transmission electron microscope. At germinal vesicle stage, cortical granule organelles were located around the cell cortex and were present as a relatively thick area on the oolema. Microfilaments were also observed in a thick uniform area around the cell cortex. Following germinal vesicle break down,microfilaments concentrated to the condensed chromatin and cortical granules were observed in the cortex. Treatment with cytochalasin B inhibited microfilament polymerization and prevented movement of cortical granules to the cortex. Cortical granule exudate following sperm penetration was evenly distributed in the entire perivitelline space. Therefore, these results suggested that the microfilament assembly is involved in the distribution, movement and exocytosis of cortical granules during maturation and fertilization of porcine oocytes. (Key words cortical granule, porcine, maturation, fertilization).
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