To investigate the role of the host cytoskeleton in the maternal transmission of the endoparasitic bacteria Wolbachia, we have characterized their distribution in the female germ line of Drosophila melanogaster. In the germarium, Wolbachia are distributed to all germ cells of the cyst, establishing an early infection in the cell destined to become the oocyte. During mid-oogenesis, Wolbachia exh...

In ovarian antral follicles cumulus cells (approximately 1,000/follicle) closely surround the oocyte, and mural granulosa cells (approximately 50,000/follicle) are distributed at the periphery. Previous work (Salustri, A., Yanagishita, M., and Hascall, V. C. (1990) Dev. Biol. 138, 26-32) showed that oocytes produce a factor(s) which stimulates hyaluronic acid (HA) synthesis by cumulus cells dur...

Oocyte donation (OD) enables women with various causes of reproductive failure to conceive, but is accompanied by a high risk of certain pregnancy disorders. Possibly, the allogeneic nature of the fetus in OD pregnancies plays a role in the development of these disorders. In this study, we investigated whether there is a selection for some degree of HLA matching in successful and uncomplicated ...

BACKGROUND In a growth phase occurring during most of folliculogenesis, the oocyte produces and accumulates molecules and organelles that are fundamental for the development of the preimplantation embryo. At ovulation, growth is followed by a phase of maturation that, although confined within a short temporal window, encompasses modifications of the oocyte chromosome complement and rearrangemen...

Background: Cryopreservation of ovaries is an important technique in assisted reproduction technology. Physical forces like hydrostatic pressure have a pivotal role in reproduction systems. Due to changes in intrafollicular pressure during ovulatory process, this study designed to examine the effects of hydrostatic pressure on oocyte maturation and cell death in cumulus cells from cryopreserved...

CONTEXT Our center's quality improvement optimization process on many occasions anecdotally suggested that oocyte assessments might enhance embryo assessment in predicting pregnancy chances with in vitro fertilization (IVF). OBJECTIVE To prospectively compare a morphologic oocyte grading system to standard day-3 morphologic embryo assessment. DESIGN, SETTING, PATIENTS We prospectively inves...

BACKGROUND Infertility affects between 10 and 16% of couples worldwide. Twenty to 30% of cases of infertility are due to a male factor, 20-35% to a female factor, and 25-40% are due to both male and female factors. In ∼10-25% of cases, the precise underlying cause remains unclear. IVF or ICSI followed by embryo transfer can be very appropriate treatment options in cases of female tubal damage, ...

Group culture of human preimplantation embryos could increase the number useable blastocysts per in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle. The present study compares outcomes a specific group embryo strategy vs. single 1 media droplet. standard, individual protocol (IC) 30 μL drops was substituted by (GC) consisting on grouping up to 3 zygotes same volume droplets. A retrospective analysis developmen...

female fertility begins to decline many years prior to the onset of menopause despite continued regular ovulatory cycles. age related infertility is due to oocyte abnormalities and decreased ovarian reserve. treatment of infertility when the cause is limited to decreased ovarian reserve is empirical at present except for oocyte donation. this mini review of the literature covers all available e...