BACKGROUND Within the antral follicle, the oocyte is reliant on metabolic support from its
surrounding somatic cells. Metabolism plays a critical role in oocyte developmental …

Mammalian oocytes go through a long and complex developmental process while acquiring
the competencies that are required for fertilization and embryogenesis. Recent advances in …

Mitochondria play a vital role in embryo development. They are the principal site of energy
production and have various other critical cellular functions. Despite the importance of this …

Pyruvate occupies a central metabolic node by virtue of its position at the crossroads of
glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle and its production and fate being governed …

Mammalian oocytes are arrested in meiotic prophase by an inhibitory signal from the
surrounding somatic cells in the ovarian follicle. In response to luteinizing hormone (LH) …

Ovulation is the appropriately timed release of a mature, developmentally competent oocyte
from the ovary into the oviduct, where fertilization occurs. Importantly, ovulation is tightly …

Bidirectional communication between oocytes and the companion granulosa cells is
essential for the development and functions of both compartments. Oocytes are deficient in …

Female fertility is determined to a large extent by the quality (developmental competence) of
the oocyte as reflected in its ability to undergo meiosis, be fertilized, and give rise to a …

The mouse embryo undergoes compaction at the 8-cell stage, and its transition to 16 cells
generates polarity such that the outer apical cells are trophectoderm (TE) precursors and the …

Obesity, diabetes, and related metabolic disorders are major health issues worldwide. As
the epidemic of metabolic disorders continues, the associated medical co-morbidities …