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Molecular mechanism of poor embryo development in postovulatory aged oocytes: Mini review
Author(s) -
Takahashi Toshifumi,
Igarashi Hideki,
Amita Mitsuyoshi,
Hara Shuichiro,
Matsuo Koki,
Kurachi Hirohisa
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1447-0756
pISSN - 1341-8076
DOI - 10.1111/jog.12111
Subject(s) - oocyte , human fertilization , endoplasmic reticulum , embryo , intracellular , embryogenesis , microbiology and biotechnology , embryo quality , andrology , mitochondrion , reactive oxygen species , ovulation , oocyte activation , medicine , endocrinology , biology , anatomy , hormone
Oocyte quality is a key factor in determining embryo development; however, we have a poor understanding of what constitutes oocyte quality or the mechanisms governing it. Postovulatory aging of oocytes that have not been fertilized for a prolonged time after ovulation is known to significantly impair oocyte quality and subsequent embryo development after fertilization. Embryos derived from postovulatory‐aged oocytes are prone to undergo apoptosis due to the decreased B cl‐2 expression. Postovulatory aging of oocytes changes the patterns of Ca 2+ oscillations at fertilization as a result of impaired Ca 2+ regulation in the endoplasmic reticulum. Moreover, postovulatory aging of oocytes impairs mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate production as a result of increasing oxidative stresses. Oxidative stresses also affect intracellular Ca 2+ regulation and impair embryo development after fertilization. Collectively, the mechanism of postovulatory oocyte aging might be involved in reactive oxygen species‐induced mitochondrial injury followed by abnormal intracellular Ca 2+ regulation in the endoplasmic reticulum.