A major challenge of assisted reproduction technologies (ARTs) is to mimic the natural environment required to sustain oocyte and embryo survival. Herein, we show that the ceramide-metabolizing enzyme, acid ceramidase (AC), is expressed in human cumulus cells and follicular fluid, essential components of this environment, and that the levels of this enzyme are positively correlated with the qua...

BACKGROUND The role of exogenous LH supplementation in ovarian stimulation is a matter of debate. Here we evaluate the impact of exogenous LH on oocyte yield and developmental competence in an oocyte donation programme. METHODS Oocyte donors were randomized (computer-generated randomization list) to groups stimulated with FSH alone or with a combination of FSH and LH after pituitary down-regu...

This paper describes various aspects of oogenesis in Piaractus mesopotamicus (pacu), particularly the changes in nuclear morphology and the nuclear-cytoplasmic interactions during the early developmental stages of oocytes. Material produced in the nucleus and passed to the cytoplasm, known as “nuage”, was observed in oogonia and in oocytes. In the oocyte cytoplasm, this material gives rise to g...

BY applying histochemical and 'Golgi' techniques the present author has studied various lipid-containing bodies in the oocytes of several reptiles, birds, and mammals (Guraya, 1957, 1958, 1959a, b, c, d, e, i960, 1961). He has already summarized the previous work on the morphology of cell components in the mammalian egg (Guraya, 1959a). Beams and Sheehan (1941) have described the Golgi material...

In assisted reproductive techniques, the operator attempts to select morphologically best embryos to predict embryo viability. Development of polarized light microscope, which evaluates the oocytes' spindles according to birefringence of living cells, had been helpful in oocyte selection. The aim of this study is evaluating the relationship between meiotic spindles visualization and intracytopl...

Cigarette smoking can harm fertility, but the existing research has targeted primarily on ovarian follicles, embryos or sex hormone. In this study, we tested cigarette smoke extract on ovulation, oocyte morphology and ovarian gene expression associated with inhibition of oxidative stress using C57BL/6 mice. Mice in the experimental group were administered a cigarette smoke extract (CSE) solutio...