The purpose of the present review is to outline the current understanding on the molecular mechanisms governing various stages of oocyte maturation, transition from maternal to embryonic control and the initial steps of pre-embryo development. The cytoplasmic and nuclear maturation of the oocyte during pre-ovulatory development can be viewed as separate entities. Cytoplasmic maturation and the ...

Diverse groups of chemicals in culture media are needed for successful bovine oocyte maturation and embryo development during which dramatic cytoplasmic and nuclear reprogramming events take place. In vitro embryo production (IVP) procedures frequently include supplements such as serum and/or co-culture with various types of somatic cells. However, the presence of undefined serum in culture med...

Pregnancy success results from the interaction of multiple factors, among them are folliculogenesis and early embryonic development. Failure during these different processes can lead to difficulties in conception. Alternatives to overcome these problems are based on assisted reproductive techniques. Extracellular vesicles are cell-secreted vesicles present in different body fluids and contain b...

Plant development proceeds through distinct phases that are controlled by complex networks of regulatory genetic circuits and fine-tuned by environmental and endogenous cues. Many of these regulatory networks have been unraveled in annual and perennial angiosperms, while they remain predominantly unknown in ecologically and economically important gymnosperm species such as the conifers. By asse...

in vitro maturation (ivm) is emerging as a popular technology at the forefront of fertility treatment and preservation. however, standard in vitro culture conditions usually increase reactive oxygen species (ros), which have been implicated as one of the major causes for reduced embryonic developmental competence. it is well-known that higher than physiological levels of ros triggers granulosa ...

Background: Controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) has been shown to advance endometrial maturation and affect adversely implantation in assisted reproduction technology (ART) cycles. It has been reported that there is a better embryo-endometrium synchrony in frozenthawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles than fresh embryo transfer (ET) cycles. The Background of this study was to compare ongoing pregn...

Background In vitro maturation (IVM) of human oocytes has acquired increasing attention in infertility treatment with great promise. This technique is an alternative conventional in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET), and can be reduced the side effects of gonadotropin stimulation such as ovarian hyperstimulation (OHSS). Oocyte maturation is a complex process including cytoplasmic and...

This study examined effects on the developmental competence of pig oocytes after somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) or parthenogenetic activation (PA) of : 1) co-culturing of oocytes with follicular shell pieces (FSP) during in vitro maturation (IVM); 2) different durations of maturation; and 3) defined maturation medium supplemented with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA; control), pig follicular fluid...

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) secrete a variety of cytokines and growth factors in addition to self-renewal and multiple forms of differentiation. Some of these secreted bioactive factors could improve meiotic maturation in vitro and subsequent embryo developmental potential. The aim of the present study was to determine whether in vitro maturation (IVM) of mouse oocyte with or without cumulus ...

BACKGROUND Little is known of how the oxygen environment in the ovarian follicle affects oocyte and embryo development, but this has an important impact on the conditions used for in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes. We investigated the effect of varying oxygen concentrations during IVM on subsequent pre and post-implantation development. METHODS IVM of mouse cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) ...