In vivo and in vitro postovulatory aging: when time works against oocyte quality?

In mammalian species an optimal fertilization window during which successful fertilization occurs. In the majority of mammals estrus marks ovulation time and coincident with mating, thereby allowing the synchronized meeting in the fallopian tubes, between freshly ejaculated sperm and freshly ovulated oocytes. Conversely, women do not show natural visual signs of ovulation such that fertilization can occur hours later involving an aged oocyte and freshly ejaculated spermatozoa. During this time, the oocyte undergoes a rapid degradation known as postovulatory aging (POA). POA may become particularly important in the human-assisted reproductive technologies, as the fertilization of retrieved mature oocytes can be delayed due to increased laboratory workload or because of unforeseeable circumstances, like the delayed availability of semen samples. This paper is an updated review of the consequences of POA, either in vivo or in vitro, on oocyte quality with particular attention to modifications caused by POA on oocyte nuclear, cytoplasmic, genomic, and epigenetic maturation, and embryo development.

Automated summary

This paper is an updated review on the consequences of postovulatory aging (POA) on oocyte quality, either in vivo or in vitro, with a focus on the modifications caused by POA on oocyte nuclear, cytoplasmic, genomic, and epigenetic maturation, as well as embryo development. The research highlights the importance of considering the effects of POA in assisted reproductive technologies, particularly when the fertilization of mature oocytes is delayed due to unforeseen circumstances.