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Oogenesis

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...

Oogenesis

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...

Meiosis II

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,...

Meiosis vs. Mitosis

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...

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Updated: Nov 25, 2025

Author Spotlight: Understanding DNA Damage Response in Mammalian Oocytes and Preimplantation Embryos

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Published on: June 23, 2023

Particulate Matter Exposure During Oocyte Maturation: Cell Cycle Arrest, ROS Generation, and Early Apoptosis in Mice.

Yu-Jin Jo¹, Seung-Bin Yoon¹, Byoung-Jin Park¹

¹Primate Resources Center (PRC), Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Jeongeup, South Korea.

Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology

|December 16, 2020

Summary

Fine dust exposure, specifically PM10 (particulate matter < 10 μM), impairs mouse oocyte maturation by disrupting cell cycles and DNA alignment. This exposure also damages mitochondria and induces apoptosis, reducing oocyte quality and future embryonic development.

Keywords:

cell cycle arrest oocyte maturation particulate matter polar body extrusion time-lapse microscopy

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Evaluation of the Spindle Assembly Checkpoint Integrity in Mouse Oocytes

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Published on: September 13, 2022

Area of Science:

Reproductive Toxicology
Environmental Health Science
Cell Biology

Background:

Particulate matter (PM) is a widespread air pollutant with known adverse health effects.
While PM's impact on general health is documented, its specific effects on the female reproductive system, particularly oocyte maturation, are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the toxic effects of PM10 exposure on the maturation process of mouse oocytes.
To elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying PM10-induced reproductive toxicity.

Main Methods:

Mature mouse oocytes were exposed to PM10 *in vitro*.
Evaluated oocyte maturation capacity, cell cycle progression, polar body extrusion, and fertilization.
Assessed DNA and tubulin organization, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, mitochondrial function, DNA damage, and apoptosis.

Main Results:

PM10 exposure significantly impaired oocyte maturation, causing cell cycle arrest and failed polar body extrusion.
Observed defects in chromosome alignment and spindle formation during meiosis.
PM10 induced increased ROS, mitochondrial dysfunction, DNA damage, and early apoptosis in oocytes.

Conclusions:

PM10 exposure negatively impacts oocyte quality by disrupting critical meiotic processes and inducing cellular damage.
These findings suggest that PM10 pollution may compromise female fertility and subsequent embryonic development potential.