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Cytoskeletal Changes in Oocytes and Early Embryos During in vitro Fertilization Process in Mice
Author(s) -
Gumus E.,
Bulut H. E.,
Kaloglu C.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
anatomia, histologia, embryologia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.34
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1439-0264
pISSN - 0340-2096
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0264.2009.00982.x
Subject(s) - microbiology and biotechnology , oocyte , microtubule , polar body , biology , cytoskeleton , microfilament , human fertilization , nucleolus , in vitro maturation , meiosis , embryo , anatomy , nucleus , genetics , cell , gene
Summary The cytoskeleton plays crucial roles in the development and fertilization of germ cells and in the early embryo development. The growth, maturation and fertilization of oocytes require an active movement and a correct localization of cellular organelles. This is performed by the re‐organization of microtubules and actin filaments. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the changes in cytoskeleton during in vitro fertilization process using appropriate immunofluorescence techniques. While the chromatin content was found to be scattered throughout the nucleus during the oocyte maturation period, it was seen only around nucleolus following the completion of the maturation. Microtubules, during oocyte maturation, were regularly distributed throughout the ooplasm which was then localized in the subcortical region of oocytes. Similarly microfilaments were scattered throughout the ooplasm during the oocyte maturation period whereas they were seen in the subcortical region around the polar body and above the meiotic spindle throughout the late developmental stages. In conclusion, those changes occurred in microtubules and microfilaments might be closely related to the re‐organization of the genetic material during the oocyte maturation and early embryo development.