New approaches regarding the in vitro maturation of oocytes: manipulating cyclic nucleotides and their partners in crime.
Several discoveries have been described recently (5-10 years) about the biology of ovarian follicles (oocyte, cumulus cells and granulosa cells), including new aspects of cellular communication, the control of oocyte maturation and the acquisition of oocyte competence for fertilization and further embryo development. These advances are nourishing assisted reproduction techniques (ART) with new possibilities, in which novel culture systems are being developed and tested to improve embryo yield and quality. This mini-review aims to describe how the recent knowledge on the physiological aspects of mammalian oocyte is reflecting as original or revisited approaches into the context of embryo production. These new insights include recent findings on the mechanisms that control oocyte maturation, especially modulating intraoocyte levels of cyclic nucleotides during in vitro maturation using endogenous or exogenous agents. In this mini-review we also discuss the positive and negative effects of these manipulations on the outcoming embryo.
Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Bioscience, University of São Paulo State, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.
Ramon Cesar
RC
Botigelli
Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Bioscience, University of São Paulo State, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.
Eduardo Montanari
EM
Razza
Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Bioscience, University of São Paulo State, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.
Elisa Mariano
EM
Pioltine
Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Bioscience, University of São Paulo State, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil.|Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Letters, University of São Paulo State, Assis, São Paulo, Brazil.
Marcelo Fábio Gouveia
MF
Nogueira
D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication; D059471:In Vitro Oocyte Maturation Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D009712:Nucleotides, Cyclic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D009865:Oocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism
D009712:Nucleotides, Cyclic
Oocytes; cumulus cells; cyclic nucleotides; in vitro oocyte maturation techniques; oocyte in vitro maturation