the use of ovarian stimulation for infertility treatment is associated with side effects of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (ohss) and potential cancer risk. this is also true in high risk women such as those polycystic with ovary (pco) and polycystic ovarian syndrome (pcos). in vitro maturation (ivm) of oocytes was primarily developed to make ivf safe for women with pco and at high risk of o...

Mammalian oocyte maturation depends on the translational activation of stored maternal mRNAs upon meiotic resumption. Cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein 1 (CPEB1) is a key oocyte factor that regulates maternal mRNA translation. However, the signal that triggers CPEB1 activation at the onset of mammalian oocyte maturation is not known. We provide evidence that a mitogen-activate...

We have previously shown that fatty acid oxidation (FAO) is required for AMP-activated protein kinase (PRKA)-induced maturation in vitro. In the present study, we have further investigated the role of this metabolic pathway in hormone-induced meiotic maturation. Incorporating an assay with (3)H-palmitic acid as the substrate, we first examined the effect of PRKA activators on FAO levels. There ...

In most species, the meiotic cell cycle is arrested at the transition between prophase and metaphase through unclear somatic signals. Activation of the Cdc2-kinase component of maturation promoting factor (MPF) triggers germinal vesicle breakdown after the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge and reentry into the meiotic cell cycle. Although high levels of cAMP and activation of protein kinase A (PKA...

Analysis of meiotic chromosomes from two human male translocation heterozygotes is reported. One had total sterility after maturation arrest and chain configurations at meiosis, and the second had a abnormal children who were presumed to be genetically unbalanced.

Mammalian metaphase II (mII) exit and embryogenesis are induced at fertilisation by a signal thought to come from the sperm protein, phospholipase C-zeta (PLCZ1). Meiotic progression can also be triggered without sperm, as in parthenogenesis, although the classic mouse in vivo parthenogenetic model, LT/Sv, fails in meiosis I owing to an unknown molecular etiology. Here, we dissect PLCZ1 specifi...

Background: Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a multifunctional molecule that mediates several circadian and seasonal processes in animal reproduction. Melatonin and its metabolites are antioxidants and free radical scavengers. Furthermore, melatonin has been shown to act as an indirect antioxidant, and it is able to increase the activity of glutathione synthesis, and many others dire...