Oocyte Physiology and Development in Domestic Animals

Oocyte Physiology and Development in Domestic Animals reviews the most recent advances in the research of physiological and biochemical mechanisms underlying oocyte growth and development, providing readers with the fundamental understanding of these key processes and summarizing this important field of research. The book covers multiple molecular and physiological mechanisms including initiation of oocyte growth during folliculogenesis and in vitro follicle culture to support oocyte competence, that are critical to health and quality. Physiological process ranging from gene expression to metabolism will be covered with an eye toward using these factors to uncover biomarkers that will further advance the field. In addition, the text looks at the effects of in vitro maturation environments on oocyte quality and developmental outcome.

Autorentext

Rebecca L. Krisher is Research Director at the National Foundation of Fertility Research.

Klappentext

The oocyte is a complex and fascinating cell that serves as the foundation of embryonic growth. This single cell is the basis of development from a newly fertilized zygote to a functioning multicellular organism. Oocyte Physiology and Development in Domestic Animals provides valuable and focused coverage of the physiology and development of oocytes vital to unlocking the molecular mechanisms that control oocyte developmental competence in reproductive processes.

Oocyte Physiology and Development in Domestic Animals provides a wide breadth of information on physiology of oocytes. Chapters look at a variety of biochemical mechanisms at play within the oocyte during key developmental stages. Advances such as biomarker discovery and rigorous oocyte competence screening are covered as well as the molecular and systems biology approaches being implemented during in vitro oocyte maturation.

Providing comprehensive coverage of this advancing field of research, Oocyte Physiology and Development in Domestic Animals will be of interest to anyone working in the animal and reproductive sciences.

Zusammenfassung
Oocyte Physiology and Development in Domestic Animals reviews the most recent advances in the research of physiological and biochemical mechanisms underlying oocyte growth and development, providing readers with the fundamental understanding of these key processes and summarizing this important field of research. The book covers multiple molecular and physiological mechanisms including initiation of oocyte growth during folliculogenesis and in vitro follicle culture to support oocyte competence, that are critical to health and quality. Physiological process ranging from gene expression to metabolism will be covered with an eye toward using these factors to uncover biomarkers that will further advance the field. In addition, the text looks at the effects of in vitro maturation environments on oocyte quality and developmental outcome.

Inhalt

Contributors xi

Preface xiii

Acknowledgments xv

**Chapter 1 Oocyte Development before and during Folliculogenesis 1
**Melissa Pepling

1.1 Introduction 1

1.2 Germ Cell Cyst and Ovigerous Cord Formation 1

1.3 Meiotic Entry and Progression 4

1.4 Follicle Formation 6

1.5 Follicle Development 9

1.6 Steroid Hormone Signaling in Oocyte Development 13

1.7 Summary 14

References 14

*Chapter 2 The *In Vitro Culture of Ovarian Follicles: A Brief History and Current Considerations 21
**Bahar Uslu and Joshua Johnson

2.1 Introduction 21

2.2 A Brief Historical Review of In Vitro Follicle Culture 23

2.3 State-of-the-Art In Vitro Follicle Culture 24

2.4 The Future of Ovarian Follicle Culture 28

Acknowledgments 29

References 29

**Chapter 3 Regulation of Oocyte Meiotic Resumption by Somatic Cells 35
**Masayuki Shimada

3.1 Meiotic Resumption Is Negatively Regulated in a cAMP-Dependent Manner 35

3.2 The Regulation of cAMP Level in Mouse Oocytes 37

3.3 The Expression and Roles of PDEs in both Cumulus Cells and Oocytes in Domestic Animals 38

3.4 Closure of Gap Junctional Communication 39

3.5 How to Activate the ERK1/2 Pathway in Cumulus Cells of COC 43

3.6 ERK1/2 in Cumulus Cells Is Required for Meiotic Resumption 45

3.7 Dynamic Changes of Kinase Activities within Oocytes 47

3.8 Conclusion 49

References 49

**Chapter 4 Oocyte-Secreted Factors in Domestic Animals 55
**Jeremy G. Thompson, David G. Mottershead, and Robert B. Gilchrist

4.1 Introduction 55

4.2 Historical Background 56

4.3 Localization and Specificity 57

4.4 Structure and Genetic Diversity of Gdf9 and Bmp15 58

4.5 Signalling Mechanisms of Gdf9 and Bmp15 60

4.6 Roles of Oocyte-Secreted Factors 61

4.7 Manipulation and Use in Reproductive Technologies 64

4.8 Concluding Remarks 65

References 66

**Chapter 5 MicroRNAs in Oocyte Physiology and Development 71
**Dawit Tesfaye, Md M. Hossain, and Karl Schellander

5.1 Introduction 71

5.2 Biogenesis of miRNA 71

5.3 Recognition and Post-Transcriptional Regulation of Target mRNA by miRNA 73

5.4 miRNA in Germ Cell Differentiation and Oogenesis 74

5.5 Expression and Regulation of miRNA in Oocyte Development 75

5.6 miRNAs in Oocyte Maturation and Competence 77

5.7 miRNAs as Temporal Regulatory Cascades of Maternal mRNA Translation 78

5.8 miRNAs in Oocyte Development in Relation to Endocrine Control 79

5.9 miRNA Regulation of Epigenetic Mechanisms in the Oocyte 79

5.10 Strategic Approaches and Challenges to Study the Role of miRNAs in Oocytes 80

5.11 Concluding Remarks 81

References 81

**Chapter 6 Bovine Oocyte Gene Expression: Identification of Functional Regulators of Early Embryogenesis 85
**Swamy K. Tripurani, Jianbo Yao, and George W. Smith

6.1 Introduction 85

6.2 Potential Contribution of Oocyte-Specific Transcriptional and Post-Transcriptional Regulators to Bovine Oocyte Competence: Available Evidence and Gaps in Knowledge 87

6.3 Maternal Oocyte-Derived Factors Required Specifically for Early Embryogenesis 94

6.4 Functional Genomics Studies of Bovine Oocyte Competence and Early Embryogenesis: Identification of Novel Mediators 99

6.5 Conclusions 104

References 105

**Chapter 7 Epigenetic Modifications during Mammalian Oocyte Growth and Meiotic Progression 111
**Claudia Baumann, Maria M. Viveiros, and Rabindranath De La Fuente

7.1 Introduction 111

7.2 Establishment of Epigenetic Modifications during Postnatal Oocyte Growth 112 7.3 Establishment and Maintenance of DNA Methylation during Oocyte Growth 114...