Developmental competence of mammalian oocytes-insights into molecular research and the promise of microfluidic technology: a review

Abstract

Developmental competence of female gametes determines their maturation ability, successful fertilisation, and proper zygote formation. Oocyte quality may be assessed by expression profiling of several gene markers such as Cx43, TGFB, GDF9, BMP, Lox and Pdia5 that determine the biological features of oocytes. Conversely, several other extrinsic factors, including follicular size or heat shock may significantly influence oocyte quality and ability to grow and develop during folliculo-and oogenesis. However, using molecular methods for evaluation of oocyte quality often leads to destruction of an analysed cell. Therefore, there is an increased requirement to seek new non-invasive methods of oocyte-embryo quality assessment. Here we describe the Lab-on-Chip system based on microfluidic technology, which is the first parametric and objective device for evaluation of oocyte developmental competence using spectral images. In this review several extrinsic factors and molecular markers of oocyte developmental competence are discussed. Furthermore, based on our previous studies, we discuss the possibility of applying the spectrophotometric system (Lab-on-Chip) in both biomedical and reproductive research in domestic animals.

Maturation promoting factor destabilization mediates human chorionic gonadotropin induced meiotic resumption in rat oocytes

“…The acquisition of meiotic competency starts from diplotene stage and gets completed once the oocyte reaches to M‐II stage and extrude PBI at the time of ovulation (Kempisty et al . ). The achievement of meiotic competency involves several biochemical and molecular changes (Cakmak et al .…”

“…; Kempisty et al . ). Pituitary gonadotropins induce achievement of meiotic competency in follicular oocytes (Peng et al .…”

Effects of supplemented intra- and extra-cellular trehalose on cryopreservation of feline oocytes

“…For extrinsic factors, follicular size and heat shock are the significant influence factors related to the oocyte quality and their ability to develop during oogenesis and folliculogenesis. Oocyte developmental competence generally defines as the development capability of the oocytes throughout the process of gamete maturation, fertilization and embryo development which involves the biochemical and molecular changes (Kempisty et al, 2015).…”

“…In order to overcome apoptosis, the B-cell CLL/lymphoma protein 2 (Bcl-2) is synthesized and acts as anti-apoptotic mediated protein. The Bcl-2 prevents apoptosis via restoring the lipid transition and preventing cytochrome C release from mitochondria (Felici et al, 1999;Hutt, 2015;Kempisty et al, 2015). During oocyte maturation and early embryo development, the Bcl-2 is the mainly protein that prevents apoptosis.…”