In vitro strategies to enhance oocyte developmental competence

Oocyte quality influences early embryonic survival, establishment and maintenance of pregnancy, fetal development and adult diseases. The developmental competence of oocytes is acquired gradually and increases with follicular development. The ability of an oocyte to develop into an embryo depends on, having enough specific information in the form of mRNA or proteins. If this information is insufficient, defects in nuclear or cytoplasmic maturation, or in both processes, may arise and thus affect the in vitro development of fertilized oocytes. The greater developmental competence of oocytes aspirated from larger follicles is reported as compared with smaller follicles. Oocyte developmental competence is greatly correlated with the morphology of the cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs). Apart from morphological or biochemical markers, molecular markers have also been investigated. Until now, no specific markers of oocyte developmental competence could be described for the oocyte developmental competence. To, utilize female germplasm to its maximum, there is a need to enhance developmental competence of lesser competent oocytes derived from the follicles which are not fully grown. The oocyte pre-maturation and maturation conditions affect gene expression not only in the oocyte but till the blastocyst stages too. Strategies have been discussed in this review would be useful to enhance the developmental competence of oocytes.