Permeation of divalent and monovalent cations through the ovarian oocyte membrane of the mouse.

Abstract

Ovarian oocytes were isolated from adult mice and intracellular recording was performed using single glass micro-electrodes. The resting membrane is permeable to not only Na+ but also to some extent to K+. The ovarian oocyte membrane of the mouse has voltage-dependent Ca channels, and both divalent (Ca2+, Sr2+, Ba2+, Mn2+) and monovalent (Na+, Li+) cations can pass through the Ca channels to generate action potentials.