BACKGROUND It has long been thought that the factors affecting embryo and foetal
development were exclusively maternally derived; hence, if issues regarding fertility and …

Abstract Phosphatidylinositol (4, 5) bisphosphate (PI (4, 5) P2) has become a major focus in
biochemistry, cell biology and physiology owing to its diverse functions at the plasma …

The tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle is the main source of cellular energy and participates in
many metabolic pathways in cells. Recent reports indicate that dysfunction of TCA cycle …

Mammalian fertilization is a fascinating process that leads to the formation of a new
individual. Eggs and sperm are complex cells that must meet at the appropriate time and …

Among infertile couples, 25% involve both male and female factors, while male factor alone
accounts for another 25% due to oligo-, astheno-, teratozoospermia, a combination of the …

BACKGROUND Total fertilization failure (TFF) is the failure of all metaphase II oocytes to
fertilize in ART cycles. The phenomenon represents a known cause of infertility, affecting 1 …

Abstract Phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase Cs (PLCs) are expressed in all
mammalian cells and play critical roles in signal transduction. To obtain a comprehensive …

Sperm entry in mammalian oocytes triggers intracellular Ca2+ oscillations that initiate
resumption of the meiotic cell cycle and subsequent activations. Here, we show that …

The perinuclear theca (PT) is a cytoskeletal element encapsulating the sperm nucleus;
however, our understanding of the physiological roles of PT in sperm is very limited. We …

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 …