It is widely recognized that bi-directional communication exists between the human oocyte
and cumulus cells (CCs) which is essential for the production of competent oocytes. CCs …

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 …

Mammalian oocytes are long-lived cells in the human body. They initiate meiosis already in
the embryonic ovary, arrest meiotically for long periods in dictyate stage, and resume …

BACKGROUND Oocyte activation deficiency (OAD) is attributed to the majority of cases
underlying failure of ICSI cycles, the standard treatment for male factor infertility. Oocyte …

BACKGROUND The first week of human embryonic development comprises a series of
events that change highly specialized germ cells into undifferentiated human embryonic …

Physiological perturbations of bovine follicle-enclosed oocytes during the lengthy period of
follicular development can lead to reduced oocyte developmental competence. It is …

This chapter intends to summarise the importance of sperm-and oocyte-derived factors in
the processes of sperm–oocyte binding and oocyte activation. First, we describe the initial …

The quality of the human oocyte determines the success of fertilization and affects the
consequent embryo development, pregnancy and birth; it therefore serves as a basis for …

Common aspects of infertility can be seen across several species. In humans, dairy cows,
and mares there is only a 25-35% chance of producing a live offspring after a single …

Purpose Oocyte activation is a fundamental event at mammalian fertilization. In mammals,
this process is initiated by a series of characteristic calcium (Ca 2+) oscillations, induced by …