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Reproduction, Fertility and Development Reproduction, Fertility and Development Society
Vertebrate reproductive science and technology
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Maternal age affects oocyte developmental potential at both ends of the age spectrum

Rebecca L. Krisher
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine, 10290 RidgeGate Circle, Lone Tree, CO 80124, USA. Email: rkrisher@FLColo.com

Reproduction, Fertility and Development 31(1) 1-9 https://doi.org/10.1071/RD18340
Published online: 3 December 2018

Abstract

Maternal age has a significant effect on oocyte developmental competence. Overall, evidence suggests that oocytes from both prepubertal females and reproductively aged females are inherently less competent. Reduced oocyte quality in both age groups is problematic for human medicine and agriculture. Some of the cellular mechanisms implicated in poor oocyte quality associated with maternal age are mitochondrial function and location, reduction of oxygen radicals, balance of metabolic pathways, regulation of maternal mRNAs and appropriate communication between the oocyte and cumulus cells. However, additional knowledge must be gained about the deficiencies present in prepubertal and reproductively aged oocytes that result in poor developmental potential before significant improvement can be achieved. This review discusses the evidence currently available regarding oocyte quality at both ends of the maternal age spectrum, what we know, or hypothesise, about the mechanisms involved and current thoughts regarding potential treatment for improvement.

Additional keywords: aging, gene expression, mitochondria, oocyte quality, prepubertal.


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