Bidirectional somatic cell–oocyte signaling is essential to create a changing intrafollicular
microenvironment that controls primordial follicle growth into a cohort of growing follicles …

An equilibrium needs to be established by the cellular and acellular components of the
ovarian follicle if developmental competence is to be acquired by the oocyte. Both cumulus …

During the lifespan of the female, biochemical changes occur in the ovarian environment.
These changes are brought about by numerous endogenous and exogenous factors …

The oocyte is a unique and highly specialized cell responsible for creating, activating, and
controlling the embryonic genome, as well as supporting basic processes such as cellular …

The ovary is the first organ to age in humans with functional decline evident already in
women in their early 30s. Reproductive aging is characterized by a decrease in oocyte …

The assessment of oocyte quality in human in vitro fertilization (IVF) is getting increasing
attention from embryologists. Oocyte selection and the identification of the best oocytes, in …

Oocytes are sequestered in primordial follicles before birth and remain quiescent in the
ovary, often for decades, until recruited into the growing pool throughout the reproductive …

Lack of an objective, accurate, and noninvasive embryo assessment strategy remains one of
the major challenges encountered in in vitro fertilization. Cumulus and mural granulosa cells …

Mammalian eggs (oocytes) are formed during fetal life and establish associations with
somatic cells to form primordial follicles that create a store of germ cells (the primordial pool) …

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 …