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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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 31, 2025

Whole Ovary Immunofluorescence, Clearing, and Multiphoton Microscopy for Quantitative 3D Analysis of the Developing Ovarian Reserve in Mouse

Whole Ovary Immunofluorescence, Clearing, and Multiphoton Microscopy for Quantitative 3D Analysis of the Developing Ovarian Reserve in Mouse

Published on: September 3, 2021

Concentrations of oocyte secreted GDF9 and BMP15 decrease with MII transition during human IVM.

Jesús Cadenas¹, Susanne Elisabeth Pors², Ajay Kumar³

¹Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, The Juliane Marie Centre for Women, Children and Reproduction, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark. jesus.cadenas.moreno@regionh.dk.

Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology : RB&E

|August 19, 2022

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Native GDF9 and BMP15 growth factors are present in human oocytes and are crucial for in vitro maturation (IVM). Their concentrations decrease as oocytes mature, suggesting a role in nuclear resumption. The GDF9/BMP15 heterodimer

Keywords:

BMP15 BMP15 heterodimer Cumulin Ex-vivo collected oocytes GDF9 Human oocyte maturation

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Area of Science:

Reproductive Biology
Endocrinology
Molecular Biology

Background:

Limited knowledge exists regarding native GDF9 and BMP15 in human oocytes, with prior studies relying on recombinant proteins.
Understanding native growth factor roles is crucial for improving in vitro maturation (IVM) protocols.

Purpose of the Study:

To detect and quantify native GDF9 and BMP15 in human oocytes and spent media during IVM.
To investigate the expression of key signaling pathway genes in cumulus cells during oocyte maturation.
To elucidate the roles of GDF9 and BMP15 homodimers and heterodimers in human oocyte maturation.

Main Methods:

Human immature oocyte complexes (COCs) were matured in vitro (IVM).
Immunofluorescence and western blotting were used to detect native GDF9 and BMP15 in oocytes.
ELISA measured growth factor concentrations in spent media; RT-qPCR analyzed gene expression in cumulus cells.

Main Results:

Native GDF9 (47 kDa) and BMP15 (43 kDa) were detected in human oocytes.
GDF9 and BMP15 were present in spent media post-IVM, with GDF9 concentrations ~10x higher than BMP15.
Gene expression analysis indicated active GDF9 and BMP15 signaling pathways during in vitro oocyte maturation.

Conclusions:

Native GDF9 and BMP15 homodimers appear to drive oocyte nuclear maturation.
The role of the GDF9/BMP15 heterodimer in human oocyte maturation remains uncertain.
These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of human oocyte maturation.