The PAR-1 kinase is required for the posterior localisation of the germline determinants in C. elegans and Drosophila, and localises to the posterior of the zygote and the oocyte in each case. We show that Drosophila PAR-1 is also required much earlier in oogenesis for the selection of one cell in a germline cyst to become the oocyte. Although the initial steps in oocyte determination are delay...

The aim of the study was to examine whether oocyte yield could be an indicator of morphological oocyte quality and biological competency in patients younger than 36 years undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation (COS). Three hundred and thirty-five intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) procedures were arbitrarily subdivided into five groups according to the number of retrieved oocytes. Patie...

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...

After its specification, the Drosophila oocyte undergoes a critical polarization event that involves a reorganization of the microtubules (MT) and relocalization of the determinant Orb within the oocyte. This polarization requires Par-1 kinase and the PDZ-containing Par-3 homolog, Bazooka (Baz). Par-1 has been observed on the fusome, which degenerates before the onset of oocyte polarization. Ho...

Oocyte-specific genes play important roles in regulating ovarian development, principally through the proper and timely progression of oogenesis and folliculogenesis. Development of transgenic mouse models has been critical in revealing how oocyte-specific transcripts influence oocyte development and growth, integrity of the oocyte-granulosa cell complex, oocyte maturation, fertilization, and e...

BACKGROUND Ovarian stimulation for assisted reproductive technology (ART) overcomes the physiologic process to develop a single dominant follicle. However, following stimulation, egg recovery rates are not 100%. The objective of this study is to determine if the follicular fluid hormonal environment is associated with oocyte recovery. METHODS This is a prospective study involving patients und...

background: many studies reported that follicle size has an essential role in developmental potential of oocytes. also, the brilliant cresyl blue (bcb) test is one of the most important criteria in selection of more competent oocytes. objective: selection of developmentally competent bovine oocytes. materials and methods: a total of 1730 bovine cumulus oocyte complexes (cocs) were recovered fro...

OBJECTIVES We recently demonstrated spatial regionalization of maternal transcripts and proteins within unfertilized ovine oocyte. Here, we investigated the likelihood of oocyte polarity for the first time in bovine. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this experimental study, in vitro matured bovine oocytes were used for manual bisection [into oocyte halve that were near-to (HNS) and far-from (FS) spin...

Transcription factors in the germline play important roles in ovary formation and folliculogenesis, and control both oocyte development and somatic cell function. Factor in the germline (Figla) and newborn ovary homeobox gene (Nobox) represent a growing number of oocyte-specific transcription factors that regulate genes unique to oocytes. Studies on oocyte-specific transcription factors are imp...

In prepuberal mouse ovaries oocytes in the non-growing pool show constant but low levels of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity. The first event in the initiation of oocyte growth is a marked stimulation of RNA polymerase activity in the oocyte nucleolus. This is followed by increases in oocyte area, oocyte nucleolar area, oocyte nuclear area and nucleoplasmic RNA synthesis in that sequence. ...