Formation of mammalian oocytes and their growth, differentiation and maturation within ovarian follicles.
The limited knowledge on the regulation of oocyte formation, the different steps of folliculogenesis and the required conditions for oocytes to undergo proper growth, differentiation and maturation are major causes of the failure in obtaining viable offspring from in vitro cultured early oocytes from domestic animals and humans. This review highlights the factors that at present are known to be involved in the formation of mammalian oocytes and their growth, differentiation and maturation within ovarian follicles.
van den Hurk
Robert
R
Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, P.O. Box 90151, Yalelaan 7, Utrecht University, Utrecht 3508TD, The Netherlands. r.vandenhurk@vet.uu.nl
Zhao
Jia
J
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D011494:Protein Kinases
D006133:Growth Substances; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D011494:Protein Kinases