BACKGROUND Fat-rich diet may alter oocyte development and maturation and embryonic development by inducing oxidative stress (OS) in follicular environment. OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between fat intake and oxidative stress with oocyte competence and embryo quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS In observational study follicular fluid was collected from 236 women undergoing assisted r...

Mammalian reproduction hinges upon the timely ovulation of a fully differentiated oocyte. This event is the culmination of a complex and dynamic developmental relationship between the oocyte and the antral follicle housing it; the antral follicle constitutes a specialized microenvironment or niche, uniquely suited to the needs of the oocyte as it approaches ovulation. During this time, the oocy...

PURPOSE Pelvic inflammatory disease is a rare complication of transvaginal oocyte retrieval. It results in failure of assisted reproductive procedure. PATIENTS During a 6-year period, 5958 transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte retrievals resulted in 10 cases of acute pelvic inflammatory disease (0.12%). RESULTS Eight of the 10 patients were diagnosed infertile because of endometriosis. Two ...

It is widely recognized that bi-directional communication exists between the human oocyte and cumulus cells (CCs) which is essential for the production of competent oocytes. CCs originate from granulosa cells (GCs) which differentiate into mural GCs and CCs during follicular antrum formation. CCs are biologically distinct from other follicular cells and perform specialized roles, transmitting s...

Artificial oocyte activation to overcome failed fertilization after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in human oocytes typically employs Ca2+ ionophores to produce a single cytosolic Ca2+ increase. In contrast, recombinant phospholipase Czeta (PLCz) causes Ca2+ oscillations indistinguishable from thoseoccurring during fertilization, but remains untested for its efficacy in a scenario of I...

Artificial oocyte activation to overcome failed fertilization after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in human oocytes typically employs Ca(2+) ionophores to produce a single cytosolic Ca(2+) increase. In contrast, recombinant phospholipase Czeta (PLCζ) causes Ca(2+) oscillations indistinguishable from those occurring during fertilization, but remains untested for its efficacy in a scenar...

It is well known that maternal ageing not only causes increased spontaneous abortion and reduced fertility, but it is also a high genetic disease risk. Although assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) have been widely used to treat infertility, the overall success is still low. The main reasons for age-related changes include reduced follicle number, compromised oocyte quality especially aneu...

Characterization of the Involvement of Integrins, Focal Adhesion Kinase, and Phospholipase C Enzymes Endogenous to the Oocyte in Bovine Fertilization and Oocyte Activation