In the present study, we have examined how differential distribution of cyclic adenosine 5′-monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase isozymes within the mouse oocyte–cumulus cell complex might influence the physiological response of the complex to cAMP, by determining the actions of site-selective cAMP analogs on oocyte maturation and cumulus expansion. Five different analogs of cAMP were utilized: 8-thiomethyl-cAMP and 8-bromo-cAMP, which bind to site 1 on the type II regulatory subunit (RII) of cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA); 8-aminohexylamino-cAMP, which binds to site 1 on the type I regulatory subunit (RI) of PKA; N⁶-monobutyryl cAMP, which binds to site 2 on either RI or RII; and 8-piperidino-cAMP, which binds to either site 1 on RII or site 2 on RI. These analogs were tested alone or in paired combinations that synergistically activate either the type I or type II PKA isozyme. When tested alone, analogs that can bind to, and presumably activate, type I PKA were the most potent inhibitors of germinal vesicle breakdown (GVB) in both cumulus cell-enclosed and denuded oocytes. Consistent with this result was the finding that paired combinations of analogs that selectively activate type I PKA were also most effective in preventing GVB. On the other hand, pulsing meiotically arrested cumulus cell-enclosed oocytes with high concentrations of analogs that bind to PKA II, or with paired combinations of analogs that selectively activate type II PKA, led to induction of GVB; stimulation with analogs or combinations thereof that presumably stimulate type I PKA was less effective. Cumulus expansion in response to PKA stimulation showed similar selectivity in that type II PKA-stimulating treatments were considerably more effective in provoking expansion than type I PKA-stimulating treatments. 8-N₃-[³²P]cAMP photoaffinity labeling of PKA regulatory subunits revealed that only RI was present in oocyte extracts, while extracts from oocyte–cumulus cell complexes contained both RI and RII. These results support the hypothesis that type II PKA mediates cAMP-stimulated cumulus expansion and resumption of meiotic maturation, while direct elevation of type I PKA within the oocyte is instrumental in maintaining meiotic arrest.