Reproduction Abstracts

In several mammalian species, a major remodelling of the germinal vesicle chromatin is known to occur towards the end of the oocyte growth. Various chromatin configurations have been identified. However, the mechanisms involved in this remodelling process are yet not completely understood. In the bovine species, four distinct and progressive states of chromatin compaction have been characterized and are linked to a gradual acquisition of the developmental potential. Germinal v...

Introduction: Several studies support the notion that in vitro pre-maturation treatments aimed to improve the developmental capability of immature oocytes have a different effect depending on the oocyte metabolic status at the time of its removal from the follicle. We demonstrated that changes in large-scale chromatin configuration within the germinal vesicle (GV) of fully-grown bovine oocytes are related to the acquisition of developmental competence. In particular, ...