The developmental stages of female germ cells were analysed in a wild population of the protogynous teleost Epinephelus marginatus (Lowe, 1834). 321 wild dusky grouper females were collected in the South Mediterranean Sea during the spawning season and their ovaries analysed using histological and histochemical techniques. Oocyte morphology, nucleus-cytoplasm ratio (N/C) range, location and mov...

Using reverse transcription and real-time quantitative PCR analysis we evaluated the transcript levels of integrins (alphaL, alphaM, beta1, and beta6), CD9 and CD18 antigens as well as zona pellucida glycoproteins (pZP1, pZP2, pZP3 and pZP3alpha) in oocytes isolated from puberal gilts (n=20) and multiparous sows (n=20). We found significantly (p<0.05) higher transcript contents of alphaL, alpha...

The avian perivitelline layer (PL), a vestment homologous to the zona pellucida (ZP) of mammalian oocytes, is composed of at least three glycoproteins. Our previous studies have demonstrated that the matrix's components, ZP3 and ZPD, are synthesized in ovarian granulosa cells. Another component, ZP1, is synthesized in the liver and is transported to the ovary by blood circulation. In this study...

We report a simplified chemically-enhanced enucleation of in vitro matured buffalo oocytes for generating cytoplasts for producing nuclear transfer (NT) embryo production. Oocytes aspirated from the ovaries from abattoir were subjected to in vitro maturation for 22h. In the first experiment, the in vitro matured (IVM) oocytes (22h) were denuded and treated with demecolcine (0.50 μg/ml IVM mediu...

The mammalian ovum is surrounded by a secondary membrane, the zona pellucida, which is produced by the follicle cells round the ovarian oocyte. The major constituents of this membrane are neutral or weakly acidic mucoproteins, and it is sensitive to dissolution by a variety of proteases, depending on species (Gwatkin, 1964), especially the bacterial protease 'Pronase' (Mintz, 1962). In the rabb...

BACKGROUND In MII oocytes showing difficult oolemma breakage, ICSI can cause an increase in the degeneration rate. This may be overcome by laser-assisted ICSI using a 5-10 micro m opening in the zona pellucida for injection. However, such a small opening might impair the hatching process, especially if assisted hatching is applied in addition. In order to prevent this, the present study used ro...

background: bisphenol a (bpa), an environmental pollutant, can generate free radicals which damages the reproductive system. vitamin c is an antioxidant which may prevent the adverse effects of free radicals.objective: the aim was to investigate the effect of vitamin c on the ovary tissue in rats treated with bpa.materials and methods: in this experimental study, 24 female wistar rats (200±20 g...

OBJECTIVE To analyze the effects of certain herbs on sperm DNA and on the fertilization process. DESIGN Prospective comparative study. SETTING Clinical and academic research environment. PATIENT(S) Donor sperm specimens. INTERVENTION(S) Zona-free hamster oocytes were incubated for 1 hour in saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), echinacea purpura, ginkgo biloba, St. John's wort (Hypericum perfo...

Human sperm have been documented to display apoptosis-like features such as externalization of phosphatidylserine (EPS), disruption of the transmembrane mitochondrial potential (MMP) and activation of caspases. Our aim was to evaluate possible association between activation of the apoptosis cascade in human sperm and its oocyte penetration capacity using the zona free hamster oocyte penetration...

The in vitro culture of immature ovarian follicles is used to examine the factors that regulate follicle development and may ultimately provide options for reproductive infertility. The objective of this study was to develop a three-dimensional in vitro culture system for the growth and development of individual granulosa cell-oocyte complexes. An alginate hydrogel was used to encapsulate immat...