Spindle assembly checkpoint regulation of chromosome segregation in mammalian oocytes

The spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) is a surveillance mechanism that monitors the quality of the spindle during division and blocks anaphase entry in the presence of anomalies that could result in erroneous segregation of the chromosomes. Because human aneuploidy is mainly linked to the erroneous segregation of genetic material in oocytes, the issue of the effectiveness of the SAC in female meiosis is especially important. The present review summarises our understanding of the SAC control of mammalian oocyte meiosis, including its possible impact on the incidence of embryonic aneuploidy. Owing to the peculiarities of cell cycle control in female meiosis, the integration of the SAC within such a specific environment results in several unusual situations, which are also discussed.