Maternal effect genes (MEGs) encode factors (eg, RNA) that are present in the oocyte and
required for early embryonic development. Hence, while these genes and gene products are …

Mammalian fertilization initiates the reprogramming of oocytes and sperm, forming a
totipotent zygote. During this intricate process, the zygotic genome undergoes a maternal-to …

The oviduct plays important roles in reproductive events: sperm reservoir formation, final
gamete maturation, fertilization and early embryo development. It is well known that the …

Background Cell fate decisions are governed by interactions between sequence‐specific
transcription factors and a dynamic chromatin landscape. Zebrafish offer a powerful system …

Background Maternal mRNA provisioning of oocytes regulates early embryogenesis.
Maternal transcripts are degraded as zygotic genome activation (ZGA) intensifies, a …

The fertilized frog egg contains all the materials needed to initiate development of a new
organism, including stored RNAs and proteins deposited during oogenesis, thus the earliest …

Gastrulation is a critical early morphogenetic process of animal development, during which
the three germ layers; mesoderm, endoderm and ectoderm, are rearranged by …

The oviduct provides an optimal environment for the final preparation, transport, and survival
of gametes, the fertilization process, and early embryonic development. Most of the studies …

During mammalian gastrulation, a mass of pluripotent cells surrounded by extraembryonic
tissues differentiates into germ layers, mesoderm, endoderm, and ectoderm. The three germ …

Embryonic genome activation (EGA) is a critical step during embryonic development.
Several transcription factors have been identified that play major roles in initiating EGA; …