The extracellular matrix (ECM) microenvironment is involved in the regulation of hepatocyte phenotype and function. Recently, the cell-derived extracellular matrix has been proposed to represent the bioactive and biocompatible materials of the native ECM. Here, we show that the endothelial cell-derived matrix (EC matrix) promotes the metabolic maturation of human adipose stem cell-derived hepat...

BACKGROUND This work addresses the hypothesis that events occurring within the follicle soon after the LH surge are essential for coordinating morphogenesis of the spindle and cytoplasm in mouse oocytes matured in vivo (IVO); we further tested whether in vitro maturation (IVM) fails to support these events. METHODS Oocytes collected at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 h post-hCG or after IVM were analyzed fo...

The oocyte maturation includes nuclear maturation and cytoplasmic maturation before fertilization. Moreover, the oocyte nucleus, the cytoplasm and other cell organelles occur changes, zona pellucida (ZP) synchronously undergoes biochemical and structural modifications in the final maturation phase of oocyte prior to fertilization (ZP maturation). It is reported that ZP modifications, such as gl...

Nuclear transfer is a complex multistep procedure that includes oocyte maturation, cell cycle synchronization of donor cells, enucleation, cell fusion, oocyte activation and embryo culture. Therefore, many factors are believed to contribute to the success of embryo development following nuclear transfer. Numerous attempts to improve cloning efficiency have been conducted since the birth of the ...

CI~anges in nuclear phosphoproteins have been followed during the course of development of the avian erythrocyte. Both young reticulocytes and mature erythrocytes are capable of incorporating 82P1 into nuclear proteins, the bulk of the activity occurring in the nonhistone protein fraction. Both phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of these proteins occur at faster rates in the younger cells. A...

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 ...