Recent Advances in Research on Bovine Oocyte Maturation Technology in vitro

Bovine oocyte in vitro maturation(IVM) is an important reproductive technology,however,as these oocytes were maturated in vitro that is deficient in growing process and some crucial event in vivo during antral follicular development prior to the LH surge,which interfere cytoplasmic maturation,thus resulting in reduced developmental capacity compared to in vivo maturated counterparts.Oocyte maturation is a complex process that involves events of nuclear,cytoplasmic and molecular maturation.Bovine oocyte maturation during in vitro culture is affected by many factors including source of oocyte,bidirectional communication between the oocyte and its surrounding cumulus cells and maturation environment.Up to date,to improve the developmental competence of bovine oocytes in vitro,some new technologies,for example,attenuating spontaneous oocyte maturation,improving oocyte maturation using exogenous oocyte-secreted growth factors and simulated physiological oocyte maturation have been developed for enhancing bovine oocytes maturation in vitro by simulating in vivo oocytes growing environment.This paper reviewed the maturation processes of bovine oocytes,the factors affecting oocyte maturation in vitro and the latest approach to improve the maturation rate of bovine oocytes in vitro.