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Related Concept Videos

Oogenesis01:22

Oogenesis

Oogenesis,  the process of developing egg cells (female gametes), occurs within the ovaries and is fundamental to female fertility. This sequence begins during fetal development when diploid oogonia in the developing ovaries undergo mitotic divisions to produce primary oocytes. By birth, these primary oocytes enter prophase I of meiosis but become arrested in this stage, remaining suspended until puberty.
Each primary oocyte is surrounded by a layer of pre-granulosa cells, forming what is known...
Oogenesis02:07

Oogenesis

In human women, oogenesis produces one mature egg cell or ovum for every precursor cell that enters meiosis. This process differs in two unique ways from the equivalent procedure of spermatogenesis in males. First, meiotic divisions during oogenesis are asymmetric, meaning that a large oocyte (containing most of the cytoplasm) and minor polar body are produced as a result of meiosis I, and again following meiosis II. Since only oocytes will go on to form embryos if fertilized, this unequal...
Meiosis II02:02

Meiosis II

Meiosis II entails cell division and segregation of the sister chromatids, resulting in the production of four unique haploid gametes. The steps for meiosis II are similar to mitosis, except that meiosis II occurs in haploid cells, whereas mitosis occurs in diploid cells.
The timing and cell division patterns of meiosis differ between males and females. In male meiosis, the centrosomes are part of the formation of the meiotic spindle. However, in oocytes, including that of humans, Drosophila,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 22, 2026

Isolation and Characterization of Mouse Antral Oocytes Based on Nucleolar Chromatin Organization
07:16

Isolation and Characterization of Mouse Antral Oocytes Based on Nucleolar Chromatin Organization

Published on: January 7, 2016

Strain-specific spontaneous activation during mouse oocyte maturation.

Yong Cheng1, Zhisheng Zhong, Keith E Latham

  • 1The Fels Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Biology, Temple University Medical School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

Fertility and Sterility
|May 16, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Genetic differences and culture conditions significantly impact spontaneous oocyte activation in mice. C57BL/6 strain oocytes show high rates of meiotic defects, influenced by the in vitro maturation environment.

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Last Updated: May 22, 2026

Isolation and Characterization of Mouse Antral Oocytes Based on Nucleolar Chromatin Organization
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Meiotic Spindle Assessment in Mouse Oocytes by siRNA-mediated Silencing
09:16

Meiotic Spindle Assessment in Mouse Oocytes by siRNA-mediated Silencing

Published on: October 11, 2015

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive biology
  • Developmental biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Spontaneous oocyte activation is a critical factor in reproductive success.
  • Understanding the genetic and environmental influences on oocyte maturation is essential for improving assisted reproductive technologies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of genetic background in spontaneous oocyte activation.
  • To determine the interaction between genetic factors and culture environment on meiotic progression and activation.

Main Methods:

  • Oocytes from four different mouse strains (C57BL/6, DBA/2, C3H/HeJ, A/J) and their reciprocal F1 hybrids were used.
  • Immature oocytes were cultured under various in vitro maturation conditions, manipulating serum, BSA, and FSH levels.
  • Key outcomes included first polar body emission, pronucleus formation, meiotic arrest, spontaneous activation, and expression of maturation regulators.

Main Results:

  • C57BL/6 oocytes exhibited delayed meiosis and high spontaneous activation rates, particularly with in vitro maturation (IVM).
  • Spontaneous activation was sensitive to culture environment, with distinct chromosomal abnormalities observed depending on maturation method (IVM vs. in vivo maturation).
  • The trait for spontaneous activation appeared dominant in F1 hybrids, linked to reduced cyclin B and securin expression.

Conclusions:

  • Both genetic background (mouse strain) and culture environment significantly influence spontaneous oocyte activation and meiotic errors.
  • Reduced expression of key meiotic regulators, such as cyclin B and securin, may contribute to these observed defects.