The oocyte is the largest cell found in multicellular organisms. Mitochondria, as the energy factories for cells, are found in high numbers in oocytes, as they provide the energy for oocyte maturation, fertilization, and embryo formation via oxidative phosphorylation. Failure of assisted reproduction is mainly attributed to oocyte aging and increased aneuploidy. As the most numerous organelle i...

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,...

Background Following sperm penetration, oocyte is activated by sperm oocyte activating factors (SOAFs) released by sperm. Spermspecific phospholipase C isoform ζ (PLCζ) and post acrosomal WW binding protein (PAWP) are two nominees for the SOAF. PLCζ is located back-to-back with another testis-specific gene called CAPZA3. These two genes share a common bidirectional promoter. In this study we as...

Background: Heat shock may affect different aspects of oocyte maturation and its subsequent development to the blastocyst stage. A series of in vitro experiments was performed to determine whether physiologically heat shock (41°C) disrupts the progression of the ovine oocytes through meiosis, activation and blastocyst formation. Materials and Methods: The cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were as...

OBJECTIVE To medically and psychologically assess gay men seeking parenthood through assisted reproduction and to provide guidelines for the assessment. DESIGN Qualitative observational study. SETTING Academic medical center. PATIENT(S) Thirty gay males (15 couples) presenting for assisted reproduction using an oocyte donor and a gestational carrier. INTERVENTION(S) Semistructured inter...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of artificial oocyte activation (AOA) on intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles using surgically retrieved sperm. DESIGN Laboratory study. SETTING Fertility/assisted fertilization center. PATIENT(S) Couples undergoing surgical sperm retrieval for ICSI (n = 204). INTERVENTION(S) Application of calcium ionophore A23187 for AOA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASU...

Egg activation is the process by which a mature oocyte becomes capable of supporting embryo development. In vertebrates and echinoderms, activation is induced by fertilization. Molecules introduced into the egg by the sperm trigger progressive release of intracellular calcium stores in the oocyte. Calcium wave(s) spread through the oocyte and induce completion of meiosis, new macromolecular syn...