It is well established that in addition to generating the diploid state in the zygote, the sperm also endows the oocyte with paternal centrioles, proteins and RNAs. Although the exact roles of mRNA introduced into the oocyte by the sperm are not completely understood. However, literature background, suggested that RNAs may have a vital role in embryo cleavage and further development. Therefore,...

Abstract Purpose The objective of this meta-analysis is to determine whether there is a higher incidence of preeclampsia (PE) in pregnancies achieved by oocyte donation (OD) compared with pregnancies achieved by in vitro fertilization with autologous oocytes (IVF). Methods A systematic review was performed to identify relevant studies published from January 1994 until April 2015 with at least a...

Cellular ATP is mainly generated through mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, which is dependent on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). We have previously demonstrated the importance of oocyte mtDNA for porcine and human fertilization. However, the role of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial replication factors during oocyte and embryo development is not yet understood. We have analyzed two key factors, m...

BACKGROUND The complex relationship between oocyte morphology, specific follicular fluid metabolites, gene expression in cumulus granulosa cells, and oocyte competence toward fertilization and embryo development still needs further clarification. METHODS Forty-six oocytes retrieved from the largest pre-ovulatory follicle of patients undergoing intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) were con...

We have measured the levels of cyclin mRNAs and polypeptides during oogenesis, progesterone-induced oocyte maturation, and immediately after egg activation in the frog, Xenopus laevis. The mRNA for each cyclin is present at a constant level of approximately 5 x 10(7) molecules per oocyte from the earliest stages of oogenesis until after fertilization. The levels of polypeptides show more comple...

As Caenorhabditis elegans hermaphrodites age, sperm become depleted, ovulation arrests, and oocytes accumulate in the gonad arm. Large ribonucleoprotein (RNP) foci form in these arrested oocytes that contain RNA-binding proteins and translationally masked maternal mRNAs. Within 65 min of mating, the RNP foci dissociate and fertilization proceeds. The majority of arrested oocytes with foci resul...

Objective This study evaluated associations of basal serum and follicular fluid (FF) anti-Muüllerian hormone (AMH) levels with in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients. Methods This prospective study included 179 consecutive women undergoing IVF, including 59 with PCOS and non-PCOS controls. Thirty PCOS cases had long gona-dotrophin-releasing hormone ag...

Genes involved in the echinoderm block to polyspermy are synthesized primarily in the oocyte. Their expression begins early in oogenesis and continues until germinal vesicle breakdown, when the transcript is rapidly turned over, leaving only traces of the active transcript. These oocyte-specifi c genes encode proteins in the egg extracellular matrix and the cortical granules, secretory vesicles...

The universal signal for egg activation at fertilization is a rise in cytoplasmic Ca(2+) with defined spatial and temporal kinetics. Mammalian and amphibian eggs acquire the ability to produce such Ca(2+) signals during a maturation period that precedes fertilization and encompasses resumption of meiosis and progression to metaphase II. In Xenopus, immature oocytes produce fast, saltatory Ca(2+...

BACKGROUND Infertility due to accelerated loss of ovarian follicles/oocytes may occur through numerous mechanisms. As a result, posthumous human oocyte donation, banking and maturation protocols for research and fertility restoration are current interests in reproductive medicine. METHODS A computer-generated sample of Utah residents (n = 704) were surveyed regarding demographics, willingness...