Oocyte maturation: gamete-somatic cells interactions, meiotic resumption, cytoskeletal dynamics and cytoplasmic reorganization

Abstract

Although the importance of oocyte maturation for the achievement of female meiosis has long been recognized, until recently much less was known of the significance of this process in relation to other fundamental developmental events. Studies on chromatin dynamics and integrity have extended our understanding of female meiosis. Concomitantly, cytoskeletal and organelle changes and the ancillary role of CCs have been better appreciated. This is expected to inspire novel concepts and advances in assisted reproduction technologies, such as the development of novel in vitro maturation systems and the identification of biomarkers of oocyte quality.

Endo-siRNA deficiency results in oocyte maturation failure and apoptosis in porcine oocytes

“…Endo-siRNAs are so important in RISC that they are involved in regulation of gene expression. As a result, endo-siRNA deficiency may lead to abnormal expression of the gene network during oocyte maturation and result in oocyte apoptosis (Hussein et al 2006;Coticchio et al 2015).…”

The expression of growth factor signaling genes in co-culture IVM

“…In vitro maturation (IVM) technique have been essential and important to retrieve high quality mature oocytes for optimum result in the further study, such as embryo production, xenotransplantation and animal model research (Woods and Tilly 2012;Coticchio et al 2015;Arat et al 2016). The oocyte is a unique and highly specialized cell responsible for creating, activating and controlling the embryonic genome, as well as supporting basic processes, such as cellular homeostasis, metabolism and cell cycle progression in the early embryo.…”

“…The oocyte is a unique and highly specialized cell responsible for creating, activating and controlling the embryonic genome, as well as supporting basic processes, such as cellular homeostasis, metabolism and cell cycle progression in the early embryo. Oocytes maturation were occurred when the oocytes reached nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation (Coticchio et al 2015). Nuclear maturation encompasses numerous sequential events, including the breakdown of the germinal vesicle and the resumption of meiosis, the first meiotic division, and the appearance of second metaphase chromosomes.…”

“…The IVM conditions are still suboptimal for oocyte maturation (Woods and Tilly 2012;Coticchio et al 2015). To optimize the IVM conditions, many studies have applied several growth factors and cell feeding/co-culture systems using various cell types to restore the follicular microenvironment during IVM (Uzumcu et al 2006;Toori et al 2014).…”

“…These functions have been attributed to their gap junctions and their specific metabolizing capabilities. Physical contact between oocyte and cumulus cells has been considered necessary for the transfer of nutrients and factors essential for oocyte development (Hull and Harvey 2014).The IVM conditions are still suboptimal for oocyte maturation (Woods and Tilly 2012;Coticchio et al 2015). To optimize the IVM conditions, many studies have applied several growth factors and cell feeding/co-culture systems using various cell types to restore the follicular microenvironment during IVM (Uzumcu et al 2006;Toori et al 2014).…”