Role of cumulus–oocyte interactions in fertility

IF 5.9 3区农林科学 Q1 VETERINARY SCIENCES

Lab Animal Pub Date : 2025-02-03 DOI:10.1038/s41684-025-01513-8

Alexandra Le Bras

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Abstract

Reproductive aging in biological women is characterized by a progressive decline of ovarian function that culminates in menopause. Fertility usually decreases after age 35 with more limited pregnancies after age 40, indicating that changes in the premenopausal female reproductive tract are already occurring that negatively impact reproductive success. A study in Communications Biology shows that structural changes in the zona pellucida (ZP) —the specialized extracellular matrix surrounding the developing oocyte— reduce the fertility of middle-aged (34–38-week-old) female mice. The researchers notably observed a reduction in transzonal projections —the thin cytoplasmic projections that connect cumulus cells to the oocyte— in middle-aged mice compared to younger mice. This change was associated with a decrease in cumulus cell–oocyte interactions, resulting in a deterioration of oocyte quality. The team also identified structural changes on the ZP surface of middle-aged mice, which prevented sperm binding. Altogether, these results suggest that age-related oocyte–cumulus miscommunication impairs the formation of ZP and reduces middle-aged female fertility.

Original reference: Ishikawa-Yamauchi, Y. et al. Commun. Biol. 7, 1692 (2024)

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来源期刊

Lab Animal 农林科学-兽医学

CiteScore

0.60

自引率

2.90%

发文量

181

审稿时长

>36 weeks

期刊介绍： LabAnimal is a Nature Research journal dedicated to in vivo science and technology that improves our basic understanding and use of model organisms of human health and disease. In addition to basic research, methods and technologies, LabAnimal also covers important news, business and regulatory matters that impact the development and application of model organisms for preclinical research. LabAnimal's focus is on innovative in vivo methods, research and technology covering a wide range of model organisms. Our broad scope ensures that the work we publish reaches the widest possible audience. LabAnimal provides a rigorous and fair peer review of manuscripts, high standards for copyediting and production, and efficient publication.