ATP is critical for oocyte maturation, fertilization, and subsequent embryo development. Both mitochondrial membrane potential and copy number expand during oocyte maturation. In order to differentiate the roles of mitochondrial metabolic activity and mtDNA copy number during oocyte maturation, we used two inhibitors, FCCP (carbonyl cyanide p-(tri-fluromethoxy)phenyl-hydrazone) and ddC (2'3-did...

BACKGROUND In vitro maturation (IVM) is a promising treatment option for certain infertile women. Nowadays, with the aid of PolScope, it has become possible to evaluate zona pellucida (ZP) characteristics as a parameter of oocyte quality. Moreover, quality of oocytes can be influenced by many factors, such as patient's age. The PolScope system is a non-invasive technique to assess birefringent ...

Oocyte cryopreservation in carnivores can significantly improve assisted reproductive technologies in animal breeding and preservation programs for endangered species. However, the cooling process severely affects the integrity and the survival of the oocyte after thawing and may irreversibly compromise its subsequent developmental capability. In the present study, two different methods of oocy...

Walleye pollock, Theragra chalcogramma, is the most commercially important species in the eastern Bering Sea. Estimates of maturity are critical for setting an appropriate harvest rate for pollock spawning biomass, and correct classification of ovaries into a maturity condition is necessary for accurate estimation of maturity. Data on length, weight, and ovary weight and condition were collecte...

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to determine whether, in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) patients, HCG action prolonged for 4 h improves the action of angiogenic substances [ovarian renin angiotensin system and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)], and consequently follicular maturation, oocyte quality and oocyte fertilization competence. METHODS In this prospective study 20 pat...

The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of preserving porcine oocytes without freezing. To optimize preservation conditions, porcine cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were preserved in TCM-199, porcine follicular fluid (pFF) and FCS at different temperatures (4°C, 20°C, 25°C, 27.5°C, 30°C and 38.5°C) for 1 day, 2 days or 3 days. After preservation, oocyte morphology, germinal ...

Quercetin is a plant-derived flavonoid found in fruits or vegetables that has antioxidant properties and acts as a free radical scavenger. We investigated the effects of quercetin on porcine oocyte nuclear maturation and embryonic development after parthenogenetic activation. We then evaluated the antioxidant activities of quercetin by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in matured o...

Purpose To compare the efficacy of two regimens of low dose human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on follicular response and oocyte maturation in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Methods Ninety women with PCOS who underwent assisted reproduction were eligible for this controlled, prospective, randomized study. Our trial was performed at Royan Institute Reproductive Research Center ov...

A major challenge of assisted reproduction technologies (ARTs) is to mimic the natural environment required to sustain oocyte and embryo survival. Herein, we show that the ceramide-metabolizing enzyme, acid ceramidase (AC), is expressed in human cumulus cells and follicular fluid, essential components of this environment, and that the levels of this enzyme are positively correlated with the qua...