BACKGROUND Chemotherapy treatment in premenopausal women is associated with an
increased risk of premature ovarian failure (POF) but the exact mechanism through which …

The oviduct or Fallopian tube is the anatomical region where every new life begins in
mammalian species. After a long journey, the spermatozoa meet the oocyte in the specific …

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 …

The oviductal fluid is the first environment experienced by mammalian embryos at the very
beginning of life. However, it has long been believed that the oviductal environment was not …

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small endogenous molecules that are involved in a diverse of
cellular process. However, little is known about their abundance in bovine oocytes and their …

Developmental biologists have always relied on imaging to shed light on dynamic cellular
events. However, processes such as mammalian fertilization and embryogenesis are …

The pig is an important livestock animal. Biotechnological interest in this species has
increased due to its use, among others, in the generation of transgenic animals for use in …

How does a sperm find its way? The study of guidance cues has fascinated sperm biologists
and in particular the prospect of rheotaxis, that is a fluid flow orienting the direction of sperm …

An intact embryo‐maternal communication is critical for the establishment of a successful
pregnancy. To date, a huge number of studies have been performed describing the complex …

Understanding the composition of the oviduct fluid (OF) is crucial to better comprehend the
microenvironment in which sperm capacitation, fertilization and early embryo development …