Regulation of oocyte maturation in mammals

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Reproduction is the basis of all agricultural animal production. To sustain innovation in the porcine and bovine industry and to disseminate reproductive biotechnologies, fundamental physiological knowledge about the production of healthy oocytes through oocyte maturation must be acquired. Several milestones punctuate egg preparation: growth, meiotic competence, meiosis, fertilization and embryonic development. The competence of the oocyte to develop into an embryo is progressively acquired during growth of the follicle. In the pre-ovulatory follicle, the oocyte is released from meiotic arrest upon the luteinizing hormone surge. However, when oocyte meiotic competence is acquired in antral follicles, meiosis is resumed spontaneously in vitro. This research program will focus on (1) the newly described role of adenosine, (2) the role of gap junction communication and (3) the role of lipid raft microdomains all in porcine cumulus-oocyte complexes during in vitro maturation. The quality of the egg is influenced by the functionality of resumption of meiosis. Thus, the immediate practical consequence will be to offer a better way of signalling the meiotic resumption to improve developmental competence. In the near future, a more accurate stimulation of the induction of ovulation will consider the need of the oocyte for meiotic resumption. This is of practical interest if such oocytes are eventually to be used as a resource for propagating valuable domestic animals or members of endangered species and, finally, for improving IVM strategies.