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Related Concept Videos

Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle01:30

Hormonal Control of the Ovarian Cycle

The ovarian cycle is meticulously regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. This cycle orchestrates the release of a mature oocyte, essential for reproduction.
Before puberty, the hypothalamus releases GnRH in a low frequency, low amplitude pulsatile manner. This along with the immature hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis activity, results in low estrogen levels and the absence of a fully functional ovarian cycle.  At puberty, GnRH secretion increases in both frequency and...
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...
Molecular Factors Affecting Cell Division01:27

Molecular Factors Affecting Cell Division

Several external and internal factors influence the initiation and inhibition of cell division. For instance, the death of nearby cells or the release of human growth hormone (hGH) promotes cell division. In contrast, lack of hGH or crowding of cells can inhibit cell division.
Several proteins function as internal regulators to ensure each cell cycle stage is completed faithfully before proceeding to the next. Regulator molecules may act directly or influence the activity or production of other...
Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle01:22

Hormonal Regulation of the Menstrual Cycle

The ovarian cycle regulates endometrial changes throughout a single menstrual cycle via the coordinated action of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and gonadotrophins.
At puberty, GnRH begins a pulsatile release pattern, which triggers the anterior pituitary gland to secrete follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The frequency and amplitude of GnRH pulses vary across the menstrual cycle, with faster pulses favoring LH release and slower pulses favoring FSH release.
Combinatorial Gene Control02:33

Combinatorial Gene Control

Combinatorial gene control is the synergistic action of several transcriptional factors to regulate the expression of a single gene. The absence of one or more of these factors may lead to a significant difference in the level of gene expression or repression.
The expression of more than 30,000 genes is controlled by approximately 2000-3000 transcription factors. This is possible because a single transcription factor can recognize more than one regulatory sequence. The specificity in gene...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 22, 2026

Defining the Program of Maternal mRNA Translation during In vitro Maturation using a Single Oocyte Reporter Assay
08:00

Defining the Program of Maternal mRNA Translation during In vitro Maturation using a Single Oocyte Reporter Assay

Published on: June 16, 2021

Molecular control of oogenesis.

Flor Sánchez1, Johan Smitz

  • 1Follicle Biology Laboratory, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium. fsanchez@vub.ac.be

Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta
|May 29, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Oogenesis involves complex intra- and extra-ovarian factors regulating oocyte growth and maturation. Cumulus cells are crucial for oocyte development and acquiring developmental competence, essential for viable embryo formation.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Molecular Genetics
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Oogenesis is a complex process involving oogonia proliferation and primary oocyte development.
  • Oocyte maturation and developmental competence are acquired gradually during folliculogenesis.
  • Oocyte-somatic cell communication, particularly with granulosa and cumulus cells, is vital for reproductive success.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize recent molecular insights into oogenesis and oocyte maturation.
  • To highlight the critical role of cumulus-oocyte interactions in reproductive competence.
  • To review experimental evidence from animal models in human reproductive failure.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on molecular aspects of oogenesis.

More Related Videos

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

Analysis of Chromosome Segregation, Histone Acetylation, and Spindle Morphology in Horse Oocytes
12:11

Analysis of Chromosome Segregation, Histone Acetylation, and Spindle Morphology in Horse Oocytes

Published on: May 11, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 22, 2026

Defining the Program of Maternal mRNA Translation during In vitro Maturation using a Single Oocyte Reporter Assay
08:00

Defining the Program of Maternal mRNA Translation during In vitro Maturation using a Single Oocyte Reporter Assay

Published on: June 16, 2021

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

Analysis of Chromosome Segregation, Histone Acetylation, and Spindle Morphology in Horse Oocytes
12:11

Analysis of Chromosome Segregation, Histone Acetylation, and Spindle Morphology in Horse Oocytes

Published on: May 11, 2017

  • Analysis of intra- and extra-ovarian regulatory factors.
  • Examination of experimental evidence from animal models.

    • Main Results:

    • Oocyte growth and maturation depend on RNA and protein synthesis within primary oocytes.
    • Cumulus cells provide essential nutrients and signals for oocyte maturation and developmental competence.
    • Oocyte-granulosa cell communication is fundamental for both cell types' development and differentiation.

    Conclusions:

    • Cumulus-oocyte interactions are indispensable for achieving oocyte developmental competence.
    • Understanding these molecular interactions is crucial for addressing human reproductive failure.
    • Animal models provide valuable insights into the complex mechanisms of oogenesis and maturation.