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Related Concept Videos

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...
Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
Epigenetic Regulation01:37

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
Meiosis vs. Mitosis02:57

Meiosis vs. Mitosis

Cell division is necessary for growth and reproduction in organisms. Mitosis aids cell growth and development by dividing somatic cells. In contrast, meiosis causes the division of germ cells and plays an essential role in sexual reproduction. Due to their unique functional requirements, mitosis and meiosis differ from each other in multiple aspects.
Before the start of mitosis and meiosis I, the cell synthesizes DNA, resulting in two homologous copies of each chromosome. DNA synthesis is...
Nondisjunction01:21

Nondisjunction

Nondisjunction is the failure of homologous chromosomes or sister chromatids to separate correctly and move to the opposite poles of the cells. This produces daughter cells with abnormal chromosome numbers.  Nondisjunction is common during anaphase I or anaphase II of meiosis.  Mutations in synaptonemal complex proteins that attach homologous chromosomes increase the chances of nondisjunction in anaphase I of meiosis I. In contrast, mutations in topoisomerases and condensins that hold sister...
Meiosis I03:09

Meiosis I

Meiosis is the division of a diploid cell into haploid cells forming sperm and eggs in animals through differentiation. Meiosis I is the first stage of meiosis, where the genetic recombination of homologous chromosomes and the reduction of the ploidy level by half occurs.
Prophase I is the most extended and complex step of meiosis I characterized by synapsis, chromosome pairing, and recombination of the homologous chromosomes. This process is facilitated by a proteinaceous structure called the...

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Single Oocyte Bisulfite Mutagenesis
13:18

Single Oocyte Bisulfite Mutagenesis

Published on: June 27, 2012

Abnormal DNA methylation in oocytes could be associated with a decrease in reproductive potential in old mice.

Ming-xing Yue1, Xiang-wei Fu, Guang-bin Zhou

  • 1Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Agriculture and National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.

Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics
|May 24, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Aging in female mice leads to decreased DNA methylation and lower expression of DNA methyltransferases (Dnmt) in oocytes and embryos, impacting reproductive potential.

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Area of Science:

  • Reproductive biology
  • Epigenetics
  • Developmental biology

Background:

  • Female reproductive potential declines with age.
  • Epigenetic alterations, including DNA methylation, are implicated in aging.
  • Understanding age-related changes in oocytes is crucial for fertility research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate DNA methylation levels and DNA methyltransferase (Dnmt) expression in aging mouse oocytes and pre-implantation embryos.
  • To determine if age-related epigenetic changes correlate with reduced reproductive capacity in aged female mice.

Main Methods:

  • Comparison of metaphase II (MII) oocytes and pre-implantation embryos from young (6-8 weeks) and aged (35-40 weeks) female mice.
  • Assessment of DNA methylation using fluorescence staining.
  • Evaluation of DNA methyltransferase (Dnmt1, Dnmt3a, Dnmt3b, Dnmt3L) protein expression via Western blotting.
  • Fertilization of oocytes in vitro and in vivo to assess embryo development.

Main Results:

  • Significant decrease in DNA methylation levels in oocytes and pre-implantation embryos from aged mice.
  • Reduced expression of Dnmt1, Dnmt3a, Dnmt3b, and Dnmt3L proteins in oocytes of aged mice.
  • Lower oocyte cleavage and blastocyst rates, reduced pregnancy rates, and increased stillbirth and fetal malformation rates in aged mice.

Conclusions:

  • Decreased expression of DNA methyltransferases (Dnmt) and altered DNA methylation in oocytes and embryos are associated with reduced reproductive potential in aged female mice.
  • Epigenetic dysregulation due to aging may be a key factor in female infertility.