Abstract
It has been found that the quality of oocytes from obese women has been compromised and subsequent embryos displayed arrested development. The compromised quality may be either due to the poor or rich metabolic conditions such as imbalance or excession of lipids during oocyte development. Generally, lipids are mainly stored in the form of lipid droplets and are an important source of energy metabolism. Similarly, lipids are also essential signaling molecules involved in various biological cascades of oocyte maturation, growth and oocyte competence acquisition. To understand the role of lipids in controlling the oocyte development, we have comprehensively and concisely reviewed the literature and described the role of lipid metabolism in oocyte quality and maturation. Moreover, we have also presented a simplified model of fatty acid metabolism along with its implication on determining the oocyte quality and cryopreservation for fertilization.
Highlights
The female ovaries are destined for the growth and development of oocytes as well as the production of sex hormones that influence the menstrual cycle (Zhu et al, 2020)
We have presented a simplified model of β-oxidation of fatty acid in the process of oocyte growth and maturation that will further facilitate a better understanding of lipid metabolism in controlling the oocyte quality and its acquisition of competence
Lipid droplets are active molecules having an important role in the lipid metabolism
Summary
The female ovaries are destined for the growth and development of oocytes as well as the production of sex hormones that influence the menstrual cycle (Zhu et al, 2020). We have presented a simplified model of β-oxidation of fatty acid in the process of oocyte growth and maturation that will further facilitate a better understanding of lipid metabolism in controlling the oocyte quality (an oocyte’s intrinsic developmental potential) and its acquisition of competence. In vitro experiments revealed that higher free fatty acid concentration in the oocyte growth medium can cause a massive increase of neutral lipids in the surroundings of COCs. The increased neutral lipid contents did not affect the developmental competence of oocytes, a lower blastocyst rate was observed. The cumulus cells of COCs can protect the maturing oocytes from an elevated level of free fatty acids by increasing the intracellular lipid storage.
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