objective: cryopreservation of ovarian tissue or follicles has been proposed as an alternative method for fertility preservation. although successful vitrification of follicles has been reported in several mammalian species, the survival rate is generally low. the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of fibroblast growth factor (fgf) and epidermal growth factor (egf) on in vitro pre...

Background: Mitochondria are the most aboudent and small essential organelles found in eukaryotic cells. These are semiautonomous organelles for the production of cellular ATP that through its various biochemical pathways. The primary pathway for ATP production is OXPHOS via the electron transfer chain (ETC) which is encoded by nuclear DNA and mtdna genomes. Mitochondria consist of double stran...

Background: In vitro maturation (IVM) of immature oocyte is a promising treatment option for infertile women.IVM procedures attempt to mimic the natural conditions of the follicular environment. The technique of IVM of oocytes has been successful after the first trial using culture of human oocytes in follicular fluid. The crucial part of this technique is the maturation process itself, and the...

The ultrastructural analysis of oocytes and ovarian follicles has been used to evaluate the effects of assisted reproductive techniques, such as cryopreservation or in vitro oocyte maturation. It also benefits the understanding of such complex mechanisms that occur during folliculogenesis. From the beginning of primordial follicles growth until oocyte maturation in preovulatory follicles oocyte...

Background: Despite great advances achieved in the field of in vitro oocyte maturation (IVM), almost all IVM media are supplemented with undefined component which not only pose the risk of pathogen transmission but also hinders our knowledge of molecular mechanisms of maturation. One of these components is serum that containing various concentration of unknown molecules affecting cellular proce...

Background & Aim: Oocytes in vitro maturation is an enormously promising technology for the treatment of infertility, yet its clinical application remains limited owing to poor success rates. Therefore this study was designed to determine the effect of Gundelia Tournefortii root hydro alcoholic extract as a source of antioxidant on in vitro oocyte maturation. Experimental: In this stu...

Background & Aim: Oocytes in vitro maturation is an enormously promising technology for the treatment of infertility, yet its clinical application remains limited owing to poor success rates. Therefore this study was designed to determine the effect of Gundelia Tournefortii root hydro alcoholic extract as a source of antioxidant on in vitro oocyte maturation. Experimental: In this stu...

Fatty acid oxidation is an important energy source for the oocyte; however, little is known about how this metabolic pathway is regulated in cumulus-oocyte complexes. Analysis of genes involved in fatty acid oxidation showed that many are regulated by the luteinizing hormone surge during in vivo maturation, including acyl-CoA synthetases, carnitine transporters, acyl-CoA dehydrogenases and acet...

objective: retinoids are recognized as important regulators of cell differention and tissue function. previous studies, performed both in vivo and in vitro, indicate that retinoids influence several reproductive events. in this study, we investigated the effect of all-trans retinoic acid (t-ra) on maturation and fertilization rate of immature oocytes (germinal vesicle). materials and methods: g...