the interaction between molecular biology and embryology made an extensive progress in the research on gametogenesis, fertilization and early embryogenesis in mice. in this article, molecules involving in meiotic maturation and apoptosis of oocytes, sperm-oocyte interactions and early cleavage of fertilized embryos in mice are described including our recent following experiments. 1) phosphatidy...

Abstract Several hypotheses have been proposed, relating to the potential genesis of follicular cells in ovarian niche. Reports using mice as an experimental model suggested that ovaries may contain stem are likely involved formation new follicles adult reproductive life. Over recent years, various types identified and described confirm or disprove existence cells. Most research is focused on g...

We reviewed recent in vivo studies of the real-time changes in the vasculature of the follicle wall during selection of the dominant follicle as well as during ovulation in cows. Changes in follicle diameter and vascularity were determined by transrectal ultrasonography. Blood flow within the walls of the two largest follicles was detected at the time of wave emergence (largest follicle=5 mm in...

The mechanical properties and density of natural and synthetic extracellular matrices are known to affect cellular processes and regulate tissue formation. In this report, these factors were independently investigated for their role in ovarian follicle development. The matrix composition was controlled through decreasing the solids concentration or the molar mass of the encapsulating biomateria...

Cyclic AMP (cAMP) plays a critical role in oocyte meiotic maturation. However, the source of cAMP surge prior to maturation and the direction of gap junction-dependent cAMP movement are unclear. In this study, inhibition of gap junctional communication (GJC) using carbenoxolone (3.5 h) induced meiotic resumption in ~90% of follicle-enclosed oocytes (FEOs). The concentration of cAMP in a single ...

Follicular fluid (FF) provides a very important microenvironment for the development of oocyte maturation, ovulation and fertilization. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of different charged groups of cow follicular fluid proteins on in vitro oocyte maturation (IVM) when added to cultured maturation medium. The follicular fluid were obtained from dominant follicle and prec...

The developmental competence of bovine oocytes isolated from antral follicles of different sizes was assessed in three European laboratories (Belgium, UCL; Denmark, DIAS; France, INRA). Using the same protocol for in vitro production of embryos, the oocytes isolated from follicles with a diameter > or = 6 mm always gave a higher blastocyst rate than oocytes from follicles < 4 mm (UCL: 42% versu...

Growth factors play an important role during early ovarian development and folliculogenesis, since they regulate the migration of germ cells to the gonadal ridge. They also act on follicle recruitment, proliferation/atresia of granulosa cells and theca, steroidogenesis, oocyte maturation, ovulation and luteinization. Among the growth factors, the growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and the b...

Drosophila ovarian follicles complete development using a spatially and temporally controlled maturation process in which they resume meiosis and secrete a multi-layered, protective eggshell before undergoing arrest and/or ovulation. Microarray analysis revealed more than 150 genes that are expressed in a stage-specific manner during the last 24 hours of follicle development. These include all ...