• Animal cells and systems
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.161-167
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• 2010

This study investigated the estrogenicity of 4-nonylphenol (NP) and diethylstilbestrol (DES) in vitro during oocyte maturation in the marine fish, Tridentiger obscurus, using steroid hormone assays and GVBD assay. Vitellogenic (0.53mm diameter) and fully vitellogenic (0.75mm diameter) oocytes were in vitro exposed to NP (0.045 453.82 nM and DES (0.037 372.62 nM). In vitellogenic oocytes, 45.38 and 453.82nM NP and 3.73 372.62nM DES increas the estradiol-$17{\beta}$ (E2)/testosterone (T) ratio. In fully vitellogenic oocytes, 0.45, 45.38 and 453.82nM NP and 3.73nM DES increased E2/T. In the GVBD assay, 0.45 and 4.54nM NP and 0.037, 3.73 and 37.26nM DES inhibited GVBD. These results suggest that NP and DES have estrogen-agonistic effects in oocyte maturation in T. obscurus. In addition, NP and DES have different sensitivity according to the oocyte developmental stage, and the estrogenagonistic effects of DES were greater than were those of NP.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.303-310
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• 2021

Decorin (DCN) is a proteoglycan belonging to the small leucine-rich proteoglycan family. It is composed of a protein core containing leucine repeats with a glycosaminoglycan chain consisting of either chondroitin sulfate or dermatan sulfate. DCN is a structural component of connective tissues that can bind to type I collagen. It plays a role in the assembly of the extracellular matrix (ECM), and it is related to fibrillogenesis. It can interact with fibronectin, thrombospondin, complement component C1, transforming growth factor (TGF), and epidermal growth factor receptor. Normal DCN expression regulates a wide range of cellular processes, including proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and autophagy, through interactions with various molecules. However, its aberrant expression is associated with oocyte maturation, oocyte quality, and poor extravillous trophoblast invasion of the uterus, which underlies the occurrence of preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. Spatiotemporal hormonal control of successful pregnancy should regulate the concentration and activity of specific proteins such as proteoglycan participating in the ECM remodeling of trophoblastic and uterine cells in fetal membranes and uterus. At the human feto-maternal interface, TGF-β and DCN play crucial roles in the regulation of trophoblast invasion of the uterus. This review summarizes the role of the proteoglycan DCN as an important and multifunctional molecule in the physiological regulation of oocyte maturation and trophoblast migration. This review also shows that recombinant DCN proteins might be useful for substantiating diverse functions in both animal and in vitro models of oogenesis and implantation.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 1990

The technique for maturation of follicular oocyte has been devised to provide such a low cost and in ptentifut number supply of bovine embryo. Some of problems concerning production of bovine embtyo in vitro were discussed in this paper. Bovine follicular oocytes cultured in vitro achieved normal fertilization but cleavage rates to blastocyst were low compared to the oocyte matured in vivo. It has been concluded that a deficient cytoplasmic maturation occurs in the oocytes matured in vitro. These results indicate that the studies for maturation of bovine follicular oocytes in vitro need improvement of culture conditions and to define the characteristics that might be indicative of healthy oocyte.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.15-19
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• 2010

Oocyte enucleation is essential for somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) in the production of cloned animals or embryonic stem cells from adult somatic cells. Most studies of oocyte enucleation have been performed using micromanipulator-based techniques, which are technically demanding, time-consuming, and expensive. Several recent studies have used chemical-induced oocyte enucleation; however, each has been plagued by low efficiency and toxicity. In this study, I found that the co-treatment of murine oocytes with demecolcine and BMI-1026, a potent cdk1 inhibitor, resulted in a high enucleation rate (97%). This method is entirely independent of a micromanipulator and is suitable for the large-scale production of enucleated oocytes. This new method of enucleation will be useful in SCNT and in the development of handmade cloning techniques.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.17-25
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• 1995

This paper aims to probe the cell differentiation and gene activity in early Oogenesis from Dendrolimus spectabilis Butler by transmission electron microscope. The 8 cystocytes are formed by mitosis of the Oogonia, and differentiated to the 1 Oocyte and 7 nurse cells. The oocyte and nurse cells are connected by ring canals, through which the cytoplasmic organelles such as mitochondria, free ribosomes, and electron dense granular materials are passed from nurse cells to o cyte. Many replication fork in the cystocyte nuclei and 2 transcriptional units of $2.7{\mu}m\;and\;0.36{\mu}m\;or\;0.5{\mu}m$ in the nurse cells are observed by the chromatin spreading technique. It is possible that transcriptional units are passed from nurse cells to Oocyte.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.52-60
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• 1994

The developing ovarian oocyte of Dendrolimus spectabilis has been studied by using electron microscopical techniques. After yolk formation the vitelline membrane was laid down in the intercellular space between the follicle cell and the oocyte. But before the vitelline membrane formation the granules with high electron density that the vitelline membrane precusor are observed in the follicle cell. At the late vitellogenesis stage these granules were transported into the intercellular space between the follicle cells and the oocyte. These granules fuse to each other and larger bodies which eventually produce the vitelline membrane. The vitelline membrane was distinguished into the light inner and dark outer membrane. Next the chorion was laid down. It was apparent that the chorion was laid down in the intercellular space immediately adjacent to the vitelline membrane, and that it was formed by the follicle cells only.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.267-273
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• 2004

Maturation of oocytes is maintained by complex procedures along with follicular genesis and is a critical step for embryonic development. Purine known as an oocyte maturation regulator is present in follicular fluid. In this study, the roles of guanosine as a strong inhibitor of GVBD and a modulator of cyclic GMP concentration in ooyctes were revealed. Denuded immature oocytes were treated with guanosine, and the maturation rates and cGMP concentration of oocytes were measured. GVBD was blocked in a concentration dependent manner by guanosine, but this effect was reversible. However, GVBD was lagged yet not significant by adenosine. Both guanosine and adenosine modified cGMP concentration in oocytes. The characteristic of the guanosine-treated oocyte was significantly higher cGMP compared with the adenosine-treated oocyes at initial time of the maturation. Based these results, guanosine may be a strong and reversible GVBD inhibitor. Although the precise mechanism of guanosine presently is unclear, the results suggest that guanosine may lead the accumulation of cGMP in oocyte cytoplasm, which in turn suppresses GVBD.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.179-187
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• 1998

In mammal, lots of follicles start simultaneously their growth but only a few oocytes are ovulated in every sexual cycles. Most of matured and grown oocytes are destined to degenerate by atresia. However, the molecular and physiological mechanisms are not elucidated yet. The present study was designed to establish an induction method of follicular atresia with ketamine or pentobarbitone and evaluate the effect of these anesthetics on oocyte maturation and granulosa cell apoptosis of the mouse ovarian follicle. The percentages of degenerated oocyte and apoptotic granulosa cell in ketamine treated groups were significantly higher than that in controls (58.9% vs 33.5%, p<0.01, degeneration; 44.9% vs 26.6%, p<0.01, apotosis). Futhermore, it was revealed that the concentrations of progesterone in both groups were markedly higher than that in control. In cunclusion, it is considered that ketamine induce an atresia as pentobarbitone, and may be useful for inducing follicular atresia.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.249-251
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• 2009

Polar body was usually used as a determinant of oocyte's maturation. Polar body morphology could reflect the embryo quality and implantation competence. This review only focuses on morphology of the first polar body and embryo developmental rate in the presence or absence of polar body. However, it is very difficult to describe whether polar body has any effects on embryo development in vitro or in vivo. Further intensive research is needed to determine its function on embryo development.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2021

The oocyte quality is of great importance in infertility as it reflects the follicle developmental potential and further affects the embryo development, clinical pregnancy outcomes. The analysis of gene expression in somatic cells is an important study to better clinical in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes in embryo selection reflecting the appropriate communication between the oocyte and somatic cells. Specifically, somatic cell transcriptomic technology can help assess biomarkers of oocyte and embryo ability. The present article aims to overview the basic aspect of folliculogenesis and review studies involving changes in candidate gene expression of cumulus or granulosa cell related to clinical outcomes in human IVF.